The problems existing in American society and education promoted the production of Flexner’s idea about modern university function objectively.

This paper summarizes the historical development of the university functions and comments on several modern popular views about the fourth function of university,such as reforming society,technical innovation,international co-operation,guiding culture.

Cai Yuanpei\'s university view is the combination between the essence of Chinese traditional culture and the west modern civilization,and also is a general summary for his school-running practice,which is manifested in his description of university function,school-running ideas,school-running system and training goal.

Since the 20th century,the scholars of higher education in the world have reached a consensus on university functions which includes the three aspects of teaching,scientific research,and social services.

The change of university functions in this short time put forward new requirement on university teachers’professional qualities, and accordingly caused the change of teachers’professional qualities and conduct.

With the scientific research function was separated from the function of the university,a series of changes have taken place in organizational structure of the university,it was the school that was mainly imple.