Of funds and fines

(Worried of the trend to fines and fund raising in the student government, I wrote this article for the college newsletter. At that time (2006), I was the Associate Dean of CENCOM. This was never published until now) 

This column is my way of expressing some thoughts as a scribe of the college. Events unfold, its inside story maybe worthwhile sharing.  I am a silent (oh really?) notetaker of events. And these are my notes…

I assumed the designation as college secretary last June 1, 2006. Barely three months from that appointment, I don’t think I have made significant stride in so far as college administration is concerned. This is my dilemma. I used to be a student leader questioning some policies of the university which we deemed not good for dudes then. Well, here I am imposing some rules on these students.

But nevertheless, I want to be as much as possible a “pro-student” though some of our present student leaders interpret some of my opinion as anti-student. Among unpopular opinion I have is opposition to excessive imposition of fines by the student government.

Student leaders may argue that imposition of fines is a good deterrent for chronic absences committed by student members. But for so many years, fines have not given enough justification for a student not to get absent on activities. In fact, even at higher fines, students still can afford to get absent.

LSGs and societies have become rich due to fines right? Am I right in saying that fines are imposed to raise funds? The simple notion of compelling students’ participation has turned out to be fund raising in disguise.

Have the student government studied why students get absent? What are the reasons behind? Have they taken steps in order to turn the situation around?

Several activities are done for students’ development. Why allow it to be paid? Why are we punishing parents for the sins committed by the students? Kung classwork ang absent, classwork din dapat ang ibayad! Kung absent sa seminar, ipaconduct nyo ng seminar, etc.

I know the student governments are very much convinced that fines is the only way to compel attendance. My challenge to the student government: Reward those students with perfect attendance from the proceeds of fines. If the LSG collected P50,000 and only 5 made it perfect on attendance, reward them with P10,000 each.

(Do you think this is still relevant? Share this to student officers you know)