University President Henry A. Sojor is convinced that it is important for the students to attend grand events like convocations every now and then. Because of its importance, he has ordered students to remain within the gymnasium premises where the event is being held.
For him, not letting the students go regardless of reasons is teaching them discipline. His challenge is for students to act maturely, to become university students as they are, rather than becoming whiners like high school kids.
So imagine the reaction of some students who begged the security guards to let them go because they have to go to their part-time work, but rather got snide remarks and hostility. But instead of spending their time where they can earn money so that they have something to eat the following day have to miss a day’s work and have to stay in a crowded gymnasium.
In an interview, Sojor clarified however that some students will now be excused provided that their deans approve the validity of their reasons.
It was a lousy attempt to appease the students who are not only disgruntled over the not-so-well-thought-about policy, but angry as well, that they are becoming guinea pigs of the university president’s fickle mindedness.
What has become a threat is that Dr. Sojor made a sweeping statement that students will now be asked to attend all grand events. Whether university–led and sponsored masses are included in these events is yet to be clarified. Because imagine how students of other religion would feel.
In line with Sojor’s excuse which is to discipline the students, it seems like the university president is saying that the four units and countless of hours spent by the students in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps training (ROTC) are for nothing. That the efforts of the commandants and officers of the said program are useless and that the security guards of the university can teach the students discipline better.
That the security guards are better than the commandants? That would be both offensive and demeaning. Even the officers of the ROTC training programs will most likely agree.
It is understandable that convocations play a major role in every student’s life. It is also commendable that the university president has thought of ways to make sure that every student takes time to attend these. However, in making policies, the administration should always consider all things relevant to the matter and be more specific in giving out new policies.
Because imagine the damage they have done to students. And imagine the damage they might have caused to some others who chose to keep quiet.
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