TOMO 91
4
BLG. 2
HUWEBES, HUNYO 20, 2013
Land distribution to Luisita farmers delayed anew
Balita
6
Wanted: Bedspace Lathalain
DEBT
8
THREATS CURRENT TUITION AND LOAN POLICIES AND PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE UP CODE
Detached disclosures Kultura
PHILIPPINE COLLEGIAN Opisyal na lingguhang pahayagan ng mga mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Diliman
NOWHERE MAN
Alan P. Tuazon
Kira Chan & Victor Gregor Limon WHILE THE MULTI-SECTORAL JUSTICE for Kristel Alliance (JKA) called for the repeal of “anti-poor” provisions in the Revised University Code of the UP System, a committee of five former university officials said these policies are needed to ensure the university’s “order” and “sustainability.” The 1975 UP Code is a body of rules which govern the operations of all seven constituent units and five regional units in UP. In a report submitted to UP President Alfredo Pascual on June 14, the UP Code Review Committee did not recommend proposals to repeal Articles 330, 430, and 431. The said provisions serve as the codal basis for policies such as the Forced Leave of Absence and No Late Payment rules in UP Manila (UPM) and the “ineligibility management system” in UP Diliman (UPD). Article 330 states that students who have not paid their tuition are not allowed from being officially admitted to their enlisted classes, while Article 430 sets the deadline for payment of loans at one month before the final semestral examinations. If unable to settle his financial obligations to the university, a student is barred from taking the final examinations, receiving grades, or enrolling for the next semester, according to Article 431.
The implementation of these articles, however, varies among UP units. (See sidebar 1). ‘Junk and replace with new provisions’ Through a paper drafted on May 27 and received by Pascual on June 9, the JKA proposed to effectively repeal Articles 327, 330, 430, and 431, and to replace them with provisions consistent with the new tuition policy statement by the Board of Regents (BOR). (See sidebar 2 on page 3.) “No qualified UP student shall be denied access to education due to financial incapacity,” read the statement issued by the university’s highest policymaking body on April 12. Convened after the death of UPM student Kristel Tejada, the JKA is composed of individuals and organizations, including Student Regent Cleve Arguelles, Staff Regent Jossel Ebesate, Faculty Regent Lourdes Abadingo, the All-UP Academic Employees Union, the All-UP Workers Union, and Katipunan ng mg Sangguniang Mag-aaral sa UP. The case of Kristel, and other students who had to go on leave from their studies due to financial constraints, demonstrated that there are university policies prevent students from fully enjoying the right to education, the JKA said in its proposal. “UP must take affirmative action to create favourable conditions so that our students’ right to accessible education are protected, promoted and fulfilled to the fullest.” Continued on page 3
Clamour and Silence
I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE THAT I AM A MAN OF FEW words--a lie which fools no one but me. Last week, when the Collegian editors told me I was chosen to write this year’s weekly column, my brain went short circuit. I lamely protested that I do not have much to say about anything. They only stared me down in amusement the same way I have seen them stare down people who just said something remarkably silly. “For someone who talks even in his sleep, that’s quite a statement. Go away and bother someone else with your false humility,” one of the editors said in his trademark deadpan tone. But of course they were right. Hordes of attractive girls do prefer the quieter type of bloke over the more vocal sort like yours truly. But is there really a point to mincing words when there’s so much excitement happening in the world? Take for example this nasty rumour about the urgent need to reform the STFAP. I am not absolutely sure about other people, but say your car keeps conking out every week even after a vast amount of expensive repairs. Perhaps you should think about getting rid of the damn thing and start taking the jeep or bus instead. A full tank costs about two thousand bucks anyway. It’s not that “Bracket A” students prefer to pay less tuition than what they can afford. This is a suspicious thought—even if prompted by the best intentions. My parents, who have worked hard all their lives as a lawyer and a private school teacher, could pay my “millionaire’s bracket” tuition, only because they could afford to save from their relatively higher salaries. Since I was a freshman, we decided not to apply for STFAP, not merely because we believe there’s a slim chance of getting the right bracket from a “socialized” tuition scheme which essentially seeks to generate money, but also because we decided we could shoulder the high cost of tuition anyway—at least at the moment. Last Sunday, when my family went to treat Dad to a Father’s Day dinner at his favourite restaurant, my three older brothers all teased me about the “fact” that this column will be the death sentence to any possibility of college romance. “However sensible you argue your ideas, you’ll forever be that guy who shoves his opinion down people’s throats whether they like it or not,” my brother, the “King in the South,” declared with a smirk. Dad however came to my rescue—in broken Mandarin: “Don’t listen to any of his bullshit. I’m sure UP girls don’t share any of his dumb ideas. Besides, even if he’s right and you’re going to fail in furthering our royal bloodline, you might as well make some noise. Otherwise, we should have your graveyard stone etched with ‘Here lies Alan, the adorably timid.’ ” My father is the best. He is my hero.