CURE holds meeting, lays out progress for the year

The Council of University Representatives (CURE) convened last March 2 to give an update on their discussions with the different sectors of the University. The council, which is composed of the elected officers of the University Student Government (USG), serves as an avenue for the representatives to meet and discuss with DLSU’s multisectoral committees.

On enrollment, tuition and fees

According to USG President Carlo Inocencio, there have been improvements in this year’s enrollment system, especially on the students’ side. As he explained, after the change of systems from My.LaSalle to animo.sys, they have received lesser complaints from the student body this year compared to last, citing that students have finally adjusted to the new scheme.

He also mentioned that there have been plans to move the enlistment schedule to the week before the start of term. “If you will remember, some students adjust because of failing grades, and with the enlistment moved to before start of the term, then you would lessen such adjustment systems,” he explained.

He further cited that the instances of professors backing out from their enlisted subjects or being shuffled to another course would be lessened as students would be given a more finalized roster of professors teaching in their classes.

Discussions on the tuition and fees increase for next year were also conducted. USG Executive Treasurer Rupert Laurel explained that they proposed a four percent increase in tuition fees and a zero percent increase for the miscellaneous fees, while certain miscellaneous were to be modified.

Laurel shared that they recommended that the Science and Development Fee for science, engineering, and computer studies students and the Sports Development Fee be removed, while the Social Action Fees and Engineering Development Fees be reduced to smaller amount. He also made it clear that the proposed changes are not yet final and are still waiting approval from the Board of Trustees.

The decision, as Laurel explained, was based on research done on their part, namely the survey conducted earlier this year, consultations with the student body, and overall calculations done with factors such as inflation rates and the consumer price index put into consideration. However, he does clarify that their original proposal was a 3.5 percent increase, and that the administration pushed for the four percent increase, which they considered still agreeable.

On handbook matters, ID policy

With regards to handbook revisions, Inocencio stated that a final list of revisions is not yet available since, as he clarified, the committee can only make the recommended revisions, but the final say is left to the higher administrators.

Presently, only the eating policy and elevator policy have been approved, while changes in the grievance process are close to being finalized. Academic proposals and the student charter, on the other hand, are still under deliberations.

The recent issue on the mandatory wearing of ID was also brought up by the committee. Inocencio admitted that updates are still unavailable as there have yet to be any Student Handbook committee meetings conducted since the mandate was first publicized. He also added that the top administrators addressed in the letter submitted by the student leaders last February have not yet given a formal response on the matter.