Students' side interest

A student from Zhejiang University picks up her online goods in November after Singles Day shopping spree.[Photo/Asia News]

Charging fees to run errands has slowly become a popular business model in China's internet-based world. Now it seems to have caught on at university campuses.

Millions of students now juggle their busy academic schedules with the additional chores of picking up deliveries for online shoppers among them. So other students have identified an opportunity to make some money and are now charging fees for doing things like collecting deliveries or picking up bottles of hot water, for other students.

The China News Agency reports that students running errands for others can make as much as 3,000 yuan ($435) per month.

Some have expanded their business scope to include answering roll calls to cover for students who skip classes. While many have applauded the resourcefulness of students trying to subsidize their tuition fees with hard work, others worry that the "business" could distract students from their studies, and lead to illegitimate work such as sitting in examinations for others.

So, what is your opinion? Is it a good idea for university students to run errands for other students for a fee?

YES

It is OK for students to support tuition fees by doing extra work.

1. Despite the many scholarship and financial assistance programs at Chinese universities, many students still face monetary pressures. Any opportunities for them to continue their studies while making some money to support themselves should be encouraged.

2. The fact that the so-called errand economy works well on college campuses shows there is abundant demand and supply for such services. College campuses are no different from larger society. Where there is supply and demand, there is commerce.

3. It is a good opportunity for college students to get a good understanding of the service industry and running their own businesses on campus, which could pave the way for their future entrepreneurial endeavors and nurture future business leaders.

NO

Running errands for money could turn into a bad habit for students.

1. Students should be dedicated to their academic work or other paths to self-improvement. Running errands takes time and energy. Any hardworking student would find it difficult to run a side business of running errands for others.

2. These paid-for errands could easily expand into inappropriate or even illicit activities such as taking exams for others. Students could find themselves in big trouble and even ruin their academic careers if they are not careful in choosing what kind of work they do.

3. For those students with the financial means to hire others to run their errands, this service helps them become even lazier and less capable of managing their own lives. In the long term, this could be very bad for their lives and careers.