National Tsing Hua faculty press university over lawmaker Weng Hsiao-ling's remarks
A row inside one of Taiwan's top universities over a professor-turned-lawmaker's conduct has put the school's president on the spot, with no clear resolution offered.
- Faculty at National Tsing Hua University publicly asked whether professor and KMT legislator Weng Hsiao-ling has damaged the school's reputation.
- President Kao Wei-yuan called it complicated, said the campus "respects every voice," and promised full discussion rather than a personal decision.
- Weng, on loan from the university to serve as an at-large KMT lawmaker, has drawn repeated criticism for her statements in parliament.
- The latest flashpoint: her deep cuts to the presidential office's discretionary budget cancelled Mid-Autumn mooncake orders from charity groups serving disadvantaged people.
- The complaint surfaced at a meeting the president had called to defend himself over a separate controversy — job-hunting in the US while still in post.
Outlook: The university looks set to debate the issue internally rather than act quickly, leaving the political fight over Weng's budget cuts to play out in parliament.