TAKING WHAT LEAD?

Part 1 (Long Post)

Nahuli Ka? Bakit?
Alright. So this goes out to all Lyceans who have been held off, stopped, and
given a violation slip. Well, this might not apply to everyone, but this will
definitely apply to most. We all remember the transition we all felt and
experienced as we moved from our boxed high school homes and transferred to
The Great University of Manila. We all felt excited. Well, if you werent then you
probably were one of those hardtoletgoof myhayskulbesties type. I for one was
greatly excited. I wanted a taste of freedom. Ive been waiting to get into a
University ever since I entered 4th year. I heard a lot about universities in Manila,
thats why I forced myself to go out of my city (which is still in Metro Manila) and
study in a realworld setting. I didnt want to go somewhere near my place. My
parents wanted me to try going for Southville, because then Id just need to hail
a tricycle and boom, I saved myself 1.5 hours of travel time already. So I
attended the orientation for Freshmen with high hopes of hearing a LOT about
the new culture. I was seriously waiting to be immersed in the College Culture.
To my surprise, all I got was an underdeveloped culture of a close to irrational
DOs and DONTs system. I clearly recall being surprised with the freshman
orientation as the school admin announced the Rules and see them violated
and unfollowed right before my eyes.
I want to talk about 3 things. First, Ill talk about how the school imposes
rules and regulations without backing them up with rational reasons.
Second, Ill talk about how the stakeholders are affected (some will be
integrated in the former). Lastly, Ill talk about the possible solutions
on how we can resolve such problems.
Lack of Rational Tieback
If youve ever been held off by the security guard in school by either wearing
shorts or by wearing a dress that is too short but really isnt, then youre going
to like this. Up to now I have absolutely no idea (and Im willing to accept an
explanation) why the GUARDS are holding off students due to violations that ARE
1) not EXPLAINED THOROUGHLY, 2) NOT POSTED ON ANY VISUAL POSTER, 3)
NOT PROVIDED IN ANY HANDBOOK (because the handbook WAS NEVER
PUBLISHED and yet we pay for it).
Your skirt is too short. You look indecent. Your shorts are indecent (for guys). Your
hair is coloured.
Uhhh okay. Well, for starters, I never would allow myself to be arrested by any
sort of personnel, here inside campus or outside campus without knowing WHY
and WHAT I DID WRONG. But as I see a lot of students being stopped daily
(especially every Saturday) I somehow feel personally obligated to tell them
Hey, youre allowing yourself to be given a violation slip because of something
that ISNT WRITTEN OR POSTED in any kind of medium. You reply and say,
Uhh, they said I should know this already because Ive been here for so many
years now

Well, I dont buy the idea of being obligated to know something regardless if its
reminded to you or not. Why? Because we pay a hell lot of cash to the University
and we deserve every right to be FULLY INFORMED (by all means) about the
POSSIBLE SANCTIONS that we may get. Nobody likes having a violation record of
some sort. People, especially YOUNGADULTS like us need VISUAL
REPRESENTATION of the existing Law. The way I see it, there is a lack of publicity
management from the administration side. They should feel more morally
obligated to prevent students from committing violations.
Now, IF YOU DONT KNOW THAT THE STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICE WAS NOT ABLE
TO PROVIDE A
STUDENT HANDBOOK (a book containing the Dos and DONTs of the school),
THEN YOU WOULD ALWAYS BELIEVE THE GUARDS WHEN THEY SAY, Bakit hindi
mo alam? Nasa Handbook yon
Also, IF YOU DONT KNOW THAT THE EXACT PHRASING OF NOT HIGHER THAN
2 INCHES ABOVE
THE KNEE DOES NOT EXIST IN NEITHER THE POSTER OUTSIDE GATE 2 OR IN
THE INVISIBLE HANDBOOK, then youre screwed.
So what? Well, the statements above basically mean that A LOT OF STUDENTS
are merely getting violations for things that are not written nor posted anywhere.
(Deep breath)
Alright, I like wearing shorts. Seriously, I do. I like wearing it because its comfy
and allows my hairy legs to breathe properly. Im tired of tight jeans and slacks.
Id wear them in proper occasions. But in a daily school setting, I wish the school
opens its eyes and realize that NOT ALLOWING MALE STUDENTS TO WEAR
SHORTS is as stupid as not allowing students to have their own desired hairstyle.
WE HAVE TO LOOK PROFESSIONAL, SHORTS SHOW OFF YOUR HAIRY LEGS AND
YOU LOOK LIKE
GIGOLOS. No we dont. We go to school to study, to learn, and to obtain
knowledge (not JUST GRADES, well get to that). And there is no actual
correlation of shorts worn to acting unprofessional. The rule itself is
unprofessional and illogical. It has no direct bearing to our LEARNING and OUR
EDUCATION.
Take a look at the top business schools. Look at Ateneo, UP, and La Salle. Do the
students there WHO ARE ALLOWED TO WEAR SHORTS END UP BEING
UNPROFESSIONAL HOBOS? Last time I checked, they actually go on with life
pretty darn well. Way better than most of us.
I do not believe that our legs (*guys say* Awoo! Awoo!) would serve as a sexual
distraction to the female populace. I dont think they would represent the school
in a very bad way.
Okay, so what am I fighting for? Liberty. Free my damn hairy legs because its
hot here in the Philippines! And besides, we pay 5080K for super HIGH QUALITY
AIRCONDITION that allows us to use our sweat glands every now and then.
Uhm I intended sarcasm there.

SO HOW ARE WE AFFECTED?

First, not knowing which violations are ACTUAL VIOLATIONS would endanger
everyone to have bad records in their school, something that we would bring up
to our professional careers. I dont want employers to think that I am a sheer
ruleviolator. Because I dont want to be. I want to know WHAT the rules are and
WHY the rules are created. Obviously, THE LAW IS CREATED TO SERVE AND
PROTECT man. I am hopeful that the same is applied here in LPU.
Second, I feel sorry for TRANSFEREES, for those people who 1) werent able to
attend any kind of orientation (due to personal schedules) or 2) those who
cannot find time to go to the Student Affairs Office and claim the handbook.
Third, I feel bad for the GUARDs. They are bombarded with complaints and
frowns when all they do is follow what the SAO tells them to do.
Fourth, the SAO would lose its credibility in protecting the rights and welfare of
the students.
Fifth, the school would lose credibility on providing rational and open discourse
and would let go of the idea of promoting the development of informed
individuals.

HOW DO WE SOLVE THIS AND ATTAIN A WINWIN SITCH?

1. SAO Produce the Student Handbook that we pay for every single semester (if
its removed in our tuition fees, please inform me). PRINT AND CREATE
INFORMATIVE AND CRYSTAL CLEAR POSTERS THAT TELL THE STUDENTS OF
WHAT IS ALLOWED AND NOT ALLOWED. Inform the guards about this. Print out
posters and spread them around campus. I will pay for the printing if you tell me
we have no budget for it.
2. SECURITY Please do not merely obey the SAO without asking for something
that would help you explain to students in a proper way that what we did/are
wearing is a direct violation of the Student Handbook. We salute you for your
patience.
3. STUDENTS Dont carry the attitude of simply accepting arrest or any kind of
violation without asking why and where it is based. It is not good to carry out the
name of Jose P Laurel outside the school and be a nave person in society. This is
why corrupt individuals take advantage of us in the streets. This is why we are
scared of asking and just go with what we think is already established. Be
responsible enough to obey rational laws. It exists to keep us safe.