The fees will augment expenses for the construction of the new Rizal Library, one of the Loyola Schools’ development projects next school year.
In the forum “Magtanong sa VP at mga Dekano” held February 6 at SEC Lecture Room C, Vice President Ma. Assunta Cuyegkeng. Ph.D., also announced that tuition fees will be increased to 5% next year to maintain the undergraduate student population at approximately 7,900.
The undergraduate student population for this school year is 7,963.
All regular fees will be increased by 5%. Medical, guidance, and graduation and diploma fees, however, will be increased by 10%.
The budget financial aid will increase by 10% relative to the previous year. Cuyegkeng estimated that about 1,000 scholars and 140 dorm scholars will benefit from the financial aid.
Juniors and seniors will also have to pay P500 (for juniors) and P300 (for seniors) to accommodate expenses for the Junior Engagement Program (JEEP) and the Seniors’ Pabaon. This fee, called the Integrated Non-Academic Formation fee, will be collected only during the first semester.
The additional expenses are needed to maintain the performance of the Loyola Schools, said Cuyegkeng. The financial crisis was also considered in determining for the increase and the new fees.
Improvements, renovations
The fees for utilities like electricity and water were lowered, however. Cuyegkeng also said that the projected expenditures for Leong Hall utilities were lower than what was expected.
Major improvements on electrical work will occur in Dela Costa Hall, Faura Hall, and Schmitt Hall. These are for safety reasons, said Cuyegkeng.
The John Gokongwei School of Management, PLDT-CTC, Dela Costa Hall, and the Gonzaga ledge will also undergo waterproofing.
Electrical work at the second floor of the cafeteria will also be improved, and an extended canopy of EDSA Walk will also be constructed.
To ensure the integrity of the buildings, the LS budget committee has put together plans to repaint the building on an 8-year cycle.
Upcoming projects
In the forum, Cuyegkeng also announced the Loyola Schools’ development projects: the Rizal Library, the student kiosks, plans for a decentralized wastewater management system, and the renovation of the former Communication Department for the theater arts.
“We have many theater groups and few areas [for them],” she said.
For environmental management, Cuyegkeng said that the administration is working on various projects including composting, materials recovery facility, and the implementation of the drip irrigation system along the Marian Walk.
The drip irrigation system will aid in water conservation by recycling water for re-use. “We are trying to use natural methods to treat and use wastewater,” said Cuyegkeng.
The Loyola Schools is also making efforts towards electricity conservation through the possible use of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) and Light Emitting Diodes (LED) on campus.
“These [LED lighting] have high initial capital expenditure, but electricity costs are low,” said Cuyegkeng.
Clarifications
During the open forum, Sanggunian President Omi Castañar (V AB DS) asked if it would be possible to ask teachers to have electronic copies of syllabi and readings in order to save paper, and refrain students from flocking to photocopiers.
“We can encourage, but I do not know if we can make a policy out of it,” Cuyegkeng responded.
Castañar also asked if there was an increase in the rental rates of the Office of Administrative Services (OAS). OAS Director Mary Joy Salita responded that the rates will remain the same for next year. She added that OAS is open to feedback on the rates.
Matanglawin Editor in Chief Mark Benedict Lim (IV AB Lit Fil) asked Salita if the Ateneo’s laborers are ensured of their minimum wages. He said, “May balita po na natatanggal sa trabaho na hindi pa binabayaran (There are news of laborers being removed from jobs, but are not paid).”
Salita responded that the OAS follows the six-month probationary employment for contractual employees. The photocopiers, she added, are outsourced.
