Keeping Confucius off campus.

• Position: China - University of Pennsylvania and Confucius Institute - Brief article

The ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius (551 B.C.-479 B.C.) preached morality, self-restraint, and compassion. So why is a program bearing his name not welcome at some American colleges? The Confucius Institute was founded by China's government in 2004 to promote China's language and culture abroad. But the University of Pennsylvania, among others, have rejected it, arguing that it's also been dictating what topics are off-limits--like Tibet, which has long sought independence from China. More than 70 U.S. colleges, including Stanford University in California and Columbia University in New York, have welcomed the Confucius Institute. They say it offers a chance to learn...