Chang Jung Christian University (CJCU) is a Christian university established in the name of Jesus Christ. It combines the idea of “holistic education” in advanced countries, the promotion of “life education” in Taiwan, and the universal love of Christ in order to implement it to holistic nurturing of students at CJCU. A Christian university is limited by the lack of economic support from private enterprises. The government is also not included in assisting such as the manner of the public universities. It can, however, utilize all of its funding on students without any pressure to do otherwise. Christian education emphasizes equal right to education, and believes that schools are responsible for educating children who have the desire to learn. Hence, CJCU shoulders its social responsibility to educate, and hopes that all of its students will become a seed in building a just society, spreading social justice to communities, the ecological environment, and to every corner of the world
(1) Ecological justice
The Erren River Restoration Project is a significant attachment for CJCU, and years of dedication was in place to increase citizen participation in river protection projects, actively developing the idea for a waterfront university. Internally, it is promoting the recycling of leftovers and water resources, planning a nature reserve, expanding green land, dedicating these efforts to environmental conservation, and participating in the International Jane Goodall Roots & Shoots Eco-Center Education Project, which is actively being implemented by the Jane Goodall Institute. These efforts aim to promote conservation concepts, implement conservation plans, and promote the “Roots & Shoots” of environmental education via the establishment of an Eco-Center (international ecological education center). This will make CJCU a base an establishment for environmental education, facilitating international experience exchange, connecting schools around the world that are participating in the Roots & Shoots Program, and to increase students and Erren basin residents’ concern for the environment and international mobility.
(2) Community development
CJCU is adorning its campus together with the local community, so that the campus and its surrounding areas will become a community with an artistic atmosphere, thriving towards the vision of a university community that runs on green energy and has cultural, leisure, and environmental protection features. The community is incorporated with art and culture, hosting a wide variety of public collaboration activities. On the journey of finding the historic and cultural of humanity through the publics, CJCU held a wall painting activity in Datan community and fence painting activity in Gueiren District; We also requested the government’s approval on extending the bicycle path to Erren River, establishing Erren River Museum, organized a farmers’ market together with local farmers, planned celebrations, offered English-taught hospitality courses, assisted with the construction of the international websites for an B&B, and built a backpacking training center.
The public art is accomplished together by teachers and students of CJCU. Other than providing students with the opportunity to utilize what they learned and their creativity, this creates an in-depth experience of local customs and allowing students to improve their sense of belonging and relation with teachers.
(3)Care for underprivileged minorities
The spirit taught by CJCU is comparable to those as a Shepard’s spirit for it’s herd. CJCU makes no distinction of class in teaching, and provides special care for underprivileged minorities and children who have lost their ways. The Indigenous Student Resource Center was established to develop diverse cultural features on campus, to show respect for diverse cultures, and show concern for ethnic minorities. This center provides services for indigenous students, to help the students adapt to life and learning, improving their learning outcomes, quality and thereby, brings out their potentials, cultivating outstanding talents for society and indigenous tribes.
Resources are provided for those with disabilities, helping them to learn and adapting to interpersonal interactions; various sports are also provided for the disabled. This helps faculty members to understand disadvantaged students in stages, as well as how to interact with them, and to implement an active, instead of passive assistance. Fundamentally, students with disabilities will be able to express care for life and contribute more.
Furthermore, the CJCU Regulations on Rewards for Participation in TA Tutoring is established for students to provide TA tutoring at a designated location after class. Students will be reimbursed for the actual number of hours they attended TA tutoring, which eliminates the need to spend their time and effort on a part-time job. This will not only improve their academic performance, but also alleviate their economic inconveniences. CJCU also provides financial assistance for students from underprivileged families. We implemented the Sheep Protection Program and offered scholarships together with other enterprises. To provide even more underprivileged students with care, CJCU expanded TA tutoring in academic year 2015, so that economically disadvantaged students can study without any worries.
Finally, CJCU established the only faculty care network in Taiwan, providing faculty members with care and consultation related to (1) health, (2) family and parent-child relations, (3) troubles in life, (4) work pressure, (5) conflicts at work, and (6) religion and spiritual life, assigning suitable professionals to provide consultation and advice to faculty members that need assistance.
