The Student Handbook is revised every three years. Following a rigorous revision process that began last year, the new handbook is in effect beginning this academic year (AY). At the start of the term, freshmen students were given copies of the new handbook.
Both the University Student Government and the Graduate Student Council prepared for the revisions by holding consultations with different sectors in the student body as early as June last year. Likewise, the University’s different stakeholders, which comprise the Student Handbook Revisions Committee (SHBR), met regularly throughout the last academic year to deliberate on the possible revisions in the handbook. The recommendations of the SHBR were then passed on to the President’s Council for approval.
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Revisions to the ID policy
One of the major revisions in the handbook is the addition of a new ID policy requiring students, faculty, staff, and administrators to wear the ID at all times while on campus. Following a directive from the President’s Council, the policy was first implemented during the special term, which began on May 6 this year, and is a decision that was “aimed at improving campus security processes.”
According to Discipline Education, Advocacy and Programs Section Head Christopher Villanueva from the Student Discipline Formation Office (SDFO), so far, their office has been unable to encounter any violators of the said policy. However, he recounts one instance during the special term when a student was caught not wearing the ID, but was covered by amnesty.
“But this term, we will have to [do] stricter implementation [of the ID policy],” Villanueva emphasizes. He also explains that the system in place for counting the instances of not wearing the ID is patterned after that of the left ID. Section 5.3.2.28 of the new handbook classifies the “third and succeeding non-wearing of University-issued ID or campus pass inside the University premises or campus” grounds for incurring a minor offense.
Random, mandatory drug testing for ID 115
One of the new inclusions in the student handbook is the drug testing provision for freshman students, describes Dean of Student Affairs Fritzie De Vera. “We’re requiring random drug testing for the incoming freshmen, and for the succeeding years, mandatory drug testing,” she states.
Villanueva elaborates that ID 115 students were given a waiver form to be signed by their parents to allow them to undergo random drug testing. “So it means that any frosh can be called for drug testing any time within the year, but there is no specific date [and no specific student],” he explains, adding that if a student is called for the random drug testing and they fail to comply despite the SDFO’s attempts to catch their attention, it will be recorded as a minor offense.
Next year, the drug testing for ID 115 students (who would already be on their second year of stay in the University) will be mandatory as part of the Annual Physical Examination. However, according to Villanueva, those on their third, fourth, and succeeding years in the University will not be required to undergo the drug testing, unless it is a government-mandated random checking. “If the government says that La Salle will be subject to random drug testing, then the higher years will be included,” he shares in Filipino.
As far as the handbook is concerned, Villanueva mentions, the drug testing policy is only applicable for ID 115 students and below.
Changes in offenses, clarification of policies
Another change in the handbook concerns the non-smoking policy implemented in the University. “We have already included the e-cigarettes in the non-smoking policy,” Villanueva describes.
De Vera also states that the new handbook addresses a clarification on acts of lewdness. Villanueva explains that the policy has been changed so that if any two students are found together inside a restroom cubicle, “regardless of what they are doing and regardless of their gender,” it will be considered a major offense.
The eating policy has also been revised. “The St. Joseph study area has been changed to an eating area,” Villanueva explains. “The second revision here is that we allowed light snacks, [which we defined there as] biscuits, candies, and water,” he adds.
A new policy concerning bullying has also been added to the new handbook. Villanueva explains that while Republic Act (RA) 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 is only enacted in basic education levels, it has been referenced in handbook because its provisions will be implemented in the University. However, he clarifies that not all tertiary schools are enacting RA 10627 in their respective campuses.
Scalping, defined as the “selling of UAAP and other event’s tickets at a price higher than the prescribed or approved amount,” has also been named a major offense in the new handbook.
De Vera notes that a number of major revisions came from the reiteration of certain rights of students as stipulated in the Student’s Charter. She also shares that changes were made with regard to the Student Discipline Formation Board, the body which handles student disciplinary cases in the University.
The handbook also reflects changes in the regulations regarding approved absences. “[Before,] we only included sickness and student representation as valid reasons for approved absences,” De Vera says, “but there are special cases [that can warrant approved absences now], under the vice dean’s prerogative.”
Under Section 3: Examinations of the handbook, the provision regarding posting of final exam schedules has also been changed, from two weeks before the examination to three.
Proposals that did not materialize
De Vera shares that several proposals reached the SHBR but were not approved by the President’s Council for inclusion in the handbook. Examples of such proposals are those concerning wearing of ripped or torn jeans inside the campus, and uploading of immoral posts, photos, and videos. According to De Vera, a proposal to make changes in the grievance system of the University was also turned down by the Academics Council.
This version of the handbook is to be implemented until 2018.
— With reports from Karol Josef Ruado.
