AY 2018-2019 LXXVII No. 4
TOLENTINESTAR
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL - RECOLETOS MEMBER, COLLEGE EDITORS GUILD OF THE PHILIPPINES
TRUTH AS IT HAPPENS
ON THE RISE
DEALING WITH THE HIKE. The information regarding the tuition and miscellaneous fees can be seen around campus.
PHOTO by KAYE EUNICE LAMERA
Tuition fee hike to add P30 per unit, UNORSSGO seeks information by CHARLENE GRACE GELOTIN
On top of the slowly ballooning jeepney fares and gasoline prices, students are set to juggle with another increase as the University’s petition to raise the tuition fee by five percent has been approved by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Aug. 28 as confirmed by Director of External Affairs Dr. Carlos Eduardo Legaspi, Jr., Oct. 6.
Legaspi revealed that even though the letter of approval was sent out by the CHED national office to its regional offices Aug. 28, the University had not been informed of any update until the first week of October. “Last week, the Office of the President checked on CHED to follow up on the status of our proposal and they told us that ‘sorry, approval was released Aug. 28 but the regional office has not communicated with the school,” Legaspi said. Due to the delay of communication, the increase will be reflected in the payment for the final term. “Supposedly, the increase should have been reflected starting from prelim. It should have been divided into three – prelim, midterm, and finals. However, now, the increase
will be introduced in the finals,” he said. Moreover, Legaspi stressed that the five-percent increase pertains to the total tuition fee payment for the semester and not for the payment for the end term. “It should be explained that you take the whole tuition fee then add five percent of that fee not five percent of the payment for finals only.” He also added that there are a number of increases in miscellaneous fees. However, he emphasized that these collections are external factors outside of the control of the University. “For example, the laboratory fee, we have a small increase because the cost of our supplies also increased. However, the increase was so minimal that it was still even subsidized,” he added.
KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION The five percent tuition fee increase, which is equivalent to an additional P30 per unit, is a means of coping with the rising prices of basic goods and commodities. “Actually, when the increase was petitioned for, we looked into the inflation rate. In my opinion, with the TRAIN law, the taxes imposed by the government on the prime commodities are still higher than the take-home pay. That is why the buying power of peso is stunted,” he said. Furthermore, Legaspi added that there had been no tuition fee increase in the last five years, “Our most recent increase was during the first year of the three-year term of Fr. [Emeterio] Buñao. During the succeeding years until the term of Fr.
the 17th President of UNO-R in the University Gymnasium, July 5. “All my life, I wanted to be a simple priest. I was happiest [when I was] Chaplain [here before because I really acted like a priest]. Now that I am the University President, [I’m mostly in the] office. But if this is the will of God for us to serve the University, we have to obey God,” Fr. Besana said. Bestowed with the University Mace and the Bible, Fr. Besana was presented with his roles and functions alongside the University’s Vision and Mission as he was donned with the academic gown and presidential medallion “As president, I will be continuing with the programs of the last administration. . . I have nothing to
Alongside the new administration, Fr. Besana emphasized on following “the mandate of the Church, the mandate of the Order, and the promise that this school year has to be valuedriven.” Outgoing University President Rev. Fr. Eduardo Celiz, Jr., OAR stated his relinquishment message and was presented with a certificate of appreciation. With a new Recollect mission of shaping youth seminarians to become priests, Fr. Celiz will head to Baguio, entrusting Fr. Besana as capable with “a lot of experience especially with the new educational system”. “I expect that Fr. Besana will do his utmost for the development of the University and its stakeholders
[Eduardo] Celiz, we never had any tuition fee increase,” he said. “After that, we only had miscellaneous fee increase which we cannot forego.”
LITTLE TO NO PROFIT Legaspi emphasized breakdown of the revenue of the University from the tuition fee collection. Following a CHED memorandum order, 70 percent of the money goes to the faculty salary and benefits like scholarship programs for children of faculty and staff. Furthermore, 20 percent is appropriated for facilities and physical development, “That is why you can see that there are many ongoing constructions. During summer, our petition for increase was still pending yet, we already had repairs and renovations.”
Medtech dep’t rises to TUITION FEE HIKE/ 13 top 3, plans to Besana steps in as University Pres, Celiz leaves for Baguio Outgoing Vice President for Academics change as of the moment. . . The last and that he will always be guided by regain 100% Rev. Fr. Don Besana, OAR made his administration really did a lot of good the University’s mission and vision,” presidential status official with the things but we have to supply whatever Accountancy student Anika Mae passing rate signing of the Document of Faith as is [lacking],” Fr. Besana added. Fierro said. “With UNO-R as the cradle by LYKA DE LA TORRE
by MAREVILLE ANNE CARO
The Medical Technology Department ranked as third top performing school in the Philippines as 72 out of 73 takers passed the September 2018 Medical Technology Licesure exam with a 98.61 passing percentage, Sept. 26. “Of course, I am happy. Last year, we only had one student who failed also. It is the same this year. I think it depends on the number of students who took the examinations. We had 72 out of 73,” Medical Technology Department Head Fatima Medel RMT, MSMT said. According to Medel, it is very hard to maintain the University’s MEDTECH DEP’T RISES/13
Constantly Changing? page 8
A PROMISING START. Rev. Fr. Don Besana, OAR states his deepest gratitude as he takes the seat as the newly hailed President of the University. PHOTO by JOELLE MARIEL PADEROG
of excellence, it would be fulfilling if students are engaged as well in the decision making process. Physical presence I believe is important than mere messages through letters or announcements, [such as] interaction with students. With the varying courses in the university, equal attention must be given to each.” The Investiture Rites was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Dionisio Selma, OAR, Prior Provincial of the Order of Augustinian Recollects Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno, after the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit with its theme “Making us Faithful Servants of the Gospel”. On his 18th year of priesthood, Fr. Besana was elected May 25 by the Board of Trustees as University President.
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TOLENTINE STAR IS THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL - RECOLETOS