Communication students of Adamson University (AdU) voiced out their disappointment toward the revised policy in the Academic Scholarship Program after the university’s Executive Council approved the implementation of the 1:50 ratio for the upcoming semester.
Revised policy in the Academic Scholarship Program
According to the new guidelines, there will be a 1:50 ratio where only one slot for scholarship will be allocated in every 50 enrolled paying students “to ensure equitable distribution”.
This revision received backlash from several Communication scholars, including freshman student Jan Carlos Miguel Galang who expressed his disappointment toward the new policy.
“The implementation of the ratio 1:50 per program is devastating and disappointing. Maiintindihan ko pa kung ‘yung grade requirement lang ang tataasan nila. What about those students na deserve ‘yung scholarship tapos masisira lang dahil sa ratio na in-implement?” he said.
Matt Guinto of AMC 301 added that aside from feeling disappointed, he felt demotivated to put in extra efforts in his work because of the chance that he might not be a scholar anymore.
“Since disappointed at frustrating nga ‘yung naramdaman ko, nakakawala siya ng will. It makes you wonder kung para saan pa ba na mag double effort kung mawawalan ka din ng scholarship. Worst part is kung alam mo sa sarili mo na qualified ka dapat,” Guinto said.
Meanwhile, Rowe Borlagdatan of AMC 101 expressed his worry over the impact of the new guidelines to continue his education.
“I am very disappointed and worried at the same time as I am the type of student that unfortunately needed a scholarship just to continue my education. The 1:50 ratio implemented surprised everyone as it will have a huge impact to students for the upcoming academic year,” he said.
Jewel Cervania of AMC 301 said that she was not able to meet the new requirement to receive a scholarship which will affect their financial situation.
“With the grades I have for the last semester, I am sure that I haven’t met the new required grades/ratio for the scholarship program offered by the school… I know that we will be having a hard time financially for the upcoming school year, as being a scholar for two consecutive years (was) a big help for my family,” she stated.
For Mariel Santos of AMC 201, the revised policy will add to the burdens she is facing during online classes.
“Para sa isang katulad ko na itinuturing isang malaking achievement at tulong financially ang pagiging scholar, sa tingin ko talagang makakadagdag ito sa ilang problema na kinakaharap ko ngayong online class,” she said.
On the other hand, Nitz Tan, second year irregular student, said that she understood the university’s move to change the scholarship policy.
“I understand why Adamson had to revise the guidelines and I have nothing against it. The pandemic has brought many problems and it just so happened that this is how the university chose to deal with it,” she expressed.
Academic Scholars Alliance (ASA) VP for External Affairs Levi May Magdarag stated that though the university had the right to revise their policies, it was still untimely considering the crisis the country is facing.
“The school has every right to change their policies as they see befitting, but they should've been more considerate about the situation we're going through. Somehow, online classes must've 'lessened' the loads of student in terms of academics but that doesn't mean that we are only troubled by that,” she said.
She added that education without financial struggles was what students needed most at the time of the pandemic, especially since AdU was labeled as “School for the Poor”.
“The university's vision states that it aims to be the center of quality education especially to those who are socially disadvantage that's why we are labeled 'School for the Poor' and with the pandemic happening, that is what we need; education that is not hindrance by financial incapability,” Magdarag said.
The organization formed a pulse survey to determine the effect of the change on the students, according to Magdarag.
“We are conducting a pulse survey on the possible impact of the policy change to supposed returning, new, and aspiring scholars. This survey will also give us data on the volume of scholars this coming semester and possible ranking of the qualified ones if we follow the new policy.”
She added that ASA will base its course of action depending on the result of the pulse survey.
“As I've said, the change is not purely negative, just insensitive in terms of timing, if scholars voiced that the policy empowers them to be more dedicated and competitive in their studies, then we will support the implementation but, if they say otherwise, we will be asking help from other organizations, such as AUSG, to lend us a hand,” she emphasized.
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