The dormer is not a pig

We commend the administration’s efforts to introduce an improved admission policy, which leaves little room for favoritism and favor currying. We commend efforts to ensure that the basis of the assignment of such a privilege as staying in a UP dormitory is standardized, and we further commend efforts to relocate those who have been displaced during the process, given the very limited housing supply in the University.

However, even the best of intentions cannot overshadow the slew of events that has deprived many dormers of the dormitory slots that they so rightfully deserve.

Students lament the late notice of the new policy, and further lament the delay of the release of dormitory assignments, while questioning the worthiness of those already admitted. Why students from as far as Davao were not admitted over those from as near as Malate has been attributed to the lack of time for thorough evaluation by the Dorm Admission Committee. Some students who were still awaiting their results even after classes had started to turn to more expensive boarding houses. Furthermore, the closing of Narra Residence Hall only exacerbated the inadequacy of housing that was made more evident after the sudden introduction of the new admission policy.

As the primary stakeholders in this issue, the students should have been informed of the new process as early as possible, so that they may have enough time to produce the new requirements needed for admission. Their time is as valuable as anyone else’s, and it should have been considered that they have provinces to return to, and that it would be inconvenient and even impractical to many to satisfy the new admission requirements after classes have ended, and on so short a notice.

True, the implementation of the admission policy has exposed flaws, flaws that may now be addressed for greater efficiency. However, let us remember that the administration must not make students bear with any unforeseen difficulties which may arise from an untested policy. The dormitory issue has affected real students, with very real lives and very real concerns. The UP dormer is not a subject for experimentation, and does not have to shoulder consequences of acts carried out with undue haste.