서울대 서열화 개혁 무응답에 ‘녹색 대안대학’을 꿈꾸다

In late 2002, at Seoul National University, two individuals approached me while my tenure was set to expire. They sought assistance in establishing a new educational institution called the "Green University," a concept I found disheartening given the current educational landscape and the limitations of traditional universities. While I acknowledged their proposal, I recognized the limitations of my own skills and resources in managing a new institution.

They assured me they would support the financial and operational aspects, focusing only on the educational aspect. I saw this as another opportunity to introduce an ideal new university and implement educational values in a simple form. I accepted the offer to become the president and committed myself to working on the project after my resignation.

During this period, preparations for the university's location and facilities were underway. The campus was chosen in Baekjeon, a former school in Haeundae-Myeong in South Gyeongsang Province, and would be renovated to serve as an educational space. A temporary dormitory would be created using containers, with additional space planned to be constructed by the members.

Upon my participation in the university's establishment, just a half-year after my resignation, there were already discussions of its opening. I, driven by a sense of duty, resigned from Seoul National University and began my tenure at the newly established Green University. The key principles of the university, as outlined in my "Green University Declaration," emphasized breaking free from the existing framework of traditional universities to explore new ways of life and education.

The establishment of Green University was declared in April 2003, with the inauguration ceremony held in a renovated former school in Haeundae-Myeong. The university operated without official recognition, focusing on self-directed learning and community involvement. Despite challenges in securing funding and ideological differences among members, the university continued to operate, eventually evolving into a small, ongoing community known as the "Green Academy."