Following an influx of complaints raised by students as well as some faculty members regarding the supposed buying and selling of courses during the last enrollment period, University Chancellor Dr. Gerardo Janairo expresses dismay over the alleged trade of courses but acknowledges that there may have been gaps in the system that must be addressed.
Meanwhile, University Registrar Dr. Voltaire Mistades confirms that the matter “regarding the alleged irregularities in the online enrollment of some students” has already been endorsed to the Student Discipline Formation Office (SDFO).
According to Christopher Villanueva, who heads the SDFO’s Discipline Education, Advocacy and Programs Section, the issue is currently under investigation. He explains, “We [have] started calling in students and interviewing them. Of course, all students will have to go through the usual [and due] process.”
Supply and demand
Students who were able to enroll in less than the minimum 12 units took to social media to express their thoughts on the issue. Some students point to a mismatch between supply and demand in terms of the number of courses offered for the term as the reason behind the alleged trade of courses. However, Dr. Mistades justified on a Facebook post that more than enough “student-units” were made available during the undergraduate enrollment period, through July 27 to August 1.
As explained by Dr. Mistades, given that with 12,000 upperclass students hoping to enroll 18 units for the term, a total of 216,000 student-units will be needed. He stated that the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) offered 6,221 academic units with each class averaging 35 students, resulting to 217,735 student-units made available during the enrollment period.
But even with the assurance that there were apparently more than enough units to cater to students, some utilized social media in seeking additional units. A small number also offered money and items in exchange for slots in several classes, catching the attention of several faculty members and even the University administration and adding to the dismay of most students.
Ongoing investigations
“It’s disappointing to hear that some students take advantage [of the system],” Dean of Student Affairs Fritzie De Vera expresses on the alleged trade of courses. “We need to warn students that of course it’s not allowed,” she comments.
On August 7, the OUR released a memorandum in a helpdesk announcement emphasizing provisions in the student handbook related to the issue. Among the provisions were those pertaining to unjust enrichment and unauthorized collection or extraction of money.
The memorandum also explicitly stated that students who are found guilty of “acquiring class slots/schedules with a fee/item/service whether tangible or intangible and whether the act is attempted, frustrated or consummated” will be charged with a major disciplinary offense, punishable by probation, suspension, dismissal, or expulsion from the University.
De Vera acknowledges that investigating such cases — and actually proving that the act of buying and selling was consummated — will be difficult, since most negotiations happen, or start, on Facebook. Regarding the online posts, SDFO’s Villanueva states, “It is one of the evidences that we will consider.” However, Villanueva cautions that the decision is subject to the University Legal Counsel, who will then decide on whether or not they can stand as evidence to prove the guilt of involved parties.
De Vera shares that the current enrollment system in place will also be reviewed “to see if there are certain loopholes and [things to be adjusted]” to prevent students from buying and selling courses. “[We will also] look at the system [because maybe] there are certain things in the system that allow students to [buy and sell],” she explains.
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Dr. Mistades sheds light on the process of preparing and collating course offerings for every term. The academic programming officers or academic assistants from each college utilize both the flowchart and the current term’s course offerings to project the course offerings needed for the next trimester. At the end of each term, different academic departments also gather data on failure statistics, using this as basis for course offerings or opening of additional classes for the adjustment period.
“For example, if there are three sections for ENGPHY1 offered during the current term (for students who are not on-track), then three sections of ENGPHY2 will be offered the following term,” Dr. Mistades says.
A previous article published by The LaSallian also reported that before the list of course offerings are consolidated by the college’s academic assistants, the vice chairpersons from each department from every college finalize the list and assign professors to the courses they will be teaching. The factors considered by vice chairpersons in making the schedules include professor specialization and courses in demand.
Preventive measures
In order to reiterate University policies regarding enrollment, Dr. Mistades states that each college will continue to orient students during the annual Freshmen Convocation, when the Vice Deans discuss important academic policies.
Additionally, Dr. Mistades shares that during the most recent coordination meeting between the OUR and the University Student Government (USG), the “USG has committed to continue to assist in educating the student body on the enrollment process through various media (posters, social media, and the like).”
