One of the most important traditions in US academia is the idea that the university should be able to provide an education that is uninfluenced by outside political or economic concerns. Needless to say, the reality often falls short this ideal.

However, the current controversy over China's Confucius Institutes is an example of the reality not measuring up to the claims of the program's critics.

The benefits this program brings should not be underestimated. In fact, the Confucius Institutes and the affiliated Confucius Classroom programs that were established and are currently overseen by Hanban have, at least in the case of Chinese language courses, helped reverse the worrying trend of US educational budgetary cuts in language courses.

By providing an education in both Chinese language and culture, these institutes can help American students prepare for a world where the Sino-US business and cultural relationship will be ever closer.

The fears expressed by some that this is a way to enhance China's "soft power," should not be overstated.

First of all, these institutes are openly supported by the Chinese government. In fact, it is unsurprising that such an organization would be designed to promote Chinese interests, just as an American outreach program promotes the US' interests.

Any college student attending a Confucius Institute should be well aware of this and evaluate the information he or she receives accordingly.

American universities are no strangers to controversies involving claims of outside bodies using their relationship with the school to exert improper influence over teachers and students alike.

Many universities that have entered into a relationship with a business or wealthy patron have been accused of allowing that relationship to influence the education that the students receive.

Many teaching hospitals and instructors in the US have been criticized for having a cozy relationship with major drug companies that may have improperly influenced their academic programs.

But if anything, the open nature of the Confucius Institutes' relationship with the Chinese government makes it more likely that any attempts to influence a school's policy will be detected by the students and public alike.