武大回应“樱花敛财”

武汉大学近日被质疑借“樱花敛财”。据新华社援引当地媒体报道，仅上周六一天，涌入武大欣赏樱花的人数就超过了20万。

武大“校园赏樱”票价为10元，武大方面预计今年的收益将于去年持平。

武大校长李晓红解释说，去年，武大赏樱门票收入为100万元，并非传言中的800万元。他表示，这些收入除了用于樱花树木的维护和每年在旺季人力资源方面的支出，剩余部分将用于资助贫困学生。

University profits from cherry blossoms

Wuhan University is under criticism that it is profiteering on the cherry trees that are blossoming on its campus, Xinhua reports. On last Saturday alone, more than 200,000 visitors rushed to the campus, according to local media reports.

The university is charging a 10-yuan admission fee, and university administrators expect its cherry trees will bring in the same amount as previous years.

University President Li Xiaohong said revenues amounted to 1 million yuan last year, though rumors placed the figure at 8 million yuan. Li also said revenues from peak days are split between the maintenance of the trees and the staff, while any remaining profit will go to need-based aid funds.

(China.org.cn March 29, 2011)