Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the increasing pressure on university faculty to secure external funding, specifically "horizontal funding," which is often linked to their job security and academic evaluations. This trend reflects broader issues within the higher education system, including the commercialization of academia and the challenges faced by educators in meeting financial targets [5][12][18]. Summary by Sections Horizontal Funding Requirements - Faculty members are required to secure horizontal funding ranging from 45,000 to 100,000 yuan, which is difficult for many, especially in the humanities [5][6]. - The completion rate for securing such funding among faculty in the Chinese literature department was only 37.2%, prompting the department head to hold motivational meetings [6][9]. Pressure and Consequences - The department head emphasized the necessity of securing funding to maintain job positions, stating, "Either secure the funding or leave" [6][10]. - Faculty members are encouraged to create fake contracts to meet funding requirements, raising ethical concerns about academic integrity [7][9]. Personal Experiences and Strategies - Some faculty members resort to personal loans or using their own funds to meet funding targets, with one teacher sharing her experience of taking out a loan to secure funding [8][10]. - The article highlights the financial burden on faculty, with one teacher calculating that after taxes and fees, he would effectively lose a significant portion of his income by participating in this funding scheme [9][10]. Broader Implications - The trend of requiring horizontal funding is becoming a standard evaluation metric for faculty, with implications for job security and academic freedom [12][18]. - The article notes that this shift began around 2022, correlating with government policies linking funding to academic performance and institutional rankings [12][13]. Faculty Perspectives - Many faculty members express disillusionment with the current academic environment, feeling that teaching and research are being overshadowed by the need to secure funding [18][20]. - The article illustrates a growing sentiment among educators that the academic profession is becoming increasingly transactional, akin to sales roles in corporate environments [18][21]. Future Outlook - The article concludes with reflections from faculty members who are reconsidering their career paths in light of these pressures, with some choosing to leave academia altogether [22][23].

要么走账，要么走人 期末考试刚结束，唐文生就被学校解聘了。"请于三个工作日内来人事处办理手续。"学校通知他。 唐文生在西安一家民办二本高校任教。今年5月，学校突然下发《科研教研工作量认定及考核管理办 法》，要求各职称教师完成一项名曰"横向经费"的到账任务，金额为4.5万到10万不等。横向经费是高 校科研经费的一种，主要来自于企业和社会机构付款，与国家和地方政府立项资助的"纵向经费"相对。 唐文生是助教，需要认领4.5万横向经费到账，在7月前完成。对他所在的文学院的教师们来说，为企业 或社会机构提供技术服务来获取这笔科研到账，基本是不可能完成的任务。 年轻教师都在观望。一个月过去，汉语言文学系43位教师，只有16位在横向协议上签字，完成率仅 37.2%，文学院院长不得不开了一场动员大会。 那天，唐文生在线上参会，听到院长如是"提点"老师们：如果你能拉来横向科研项目，那是你的本事， 如果你拉不来，你就去找一个公司做假合同。 院长在会上说，横向经费是硬性要求，学校给文学院下达了702万到账的指标。为了能在2029年向国务 院学位委员会申报硕士学位授予单位，学校必须保证，接下来5年，每年师均科研经费不低于4万元。这 ...