According to China News Weekly, Yan'an University recently requested teachers to sign a "Commercial Research Funding Commitment Letter," guaranteeing the authenticity of materials or else bearing all personal responsibility.
On the evening of November 5, Cao Jun, a student of Bai Baoguo, confirmed to the media that the suicide note circulating online was indeed written by Bai Baoguo himself and was released with the authorization of his family. Multiple teachers anonymously confirmed that the practice of self-funding and managing accounts through personal channels is relatively common.
On November 4, staff at Yan'an University confirmed that teacher Bai Baoguo has passed away, stating that they are investigating and verifying the content of a suicide note circulating online. The note alleges that the university imposed rigid quotas for horizontal research funding and paper publications, forcing teachers to use personal funds to cover costs and pay for publications.
On the evening of November 4, the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Education announced that it had formed a joint investigation team with relevant parties to investigate the issues raised in the suicide note of Yan'an University teacher Bai Baoguo.
According to domestic media reports on November 3, Bai Baoguo, an associate professor at Yan'an University, has passed away, leaving behind a suspected suicide note accusing the school of chaotic research assessment. Before his death, he was rated as unqualified in his assessment due to failing to meet the targets for horizontal research funding and academic papers for two consecutive terms, and was facing demotion or reassignment. [Follow-up · November 4, 2026] On the evening of November 4, the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Education issued a statement saying that it had formed a joint investigation team with relevant parties, which is conducting a comprehensive investigation and verification, and will handle the matter in accordance with laws and regulations.
On October 20, Bai Baoguo, a teacher at Yan'an University, placed his bank card by his wife's pillow while his family was napping, and took a taxi alone to Wanhua Mountain in Yan'an to commit suicide by jumping into a lake. His students stated that he had been suffering from depression for one or two years and had previously been hospitalized.