Concerned UP profs, students bring mattresses tomorrow (Friday) to show “what UP stands for”

MEDIA ADVISORY
August 6, 2015

Concerned UP profs, students bring mattresses tomorrow (Friday) to show “what UP stands for”

Amid the crisis besetting society in general and the education sector in particular, what does the University of the Philippines (UP) stand for?

Concerned students and faculty will hold a press conference tomorrow (August 7), 10 a.m. at the lobby of Vinzons Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City to explain the current woes of UP and other state universities and colleges as UP starts the first semester of Academic Year 2015-2016.

The “University of Pila” has become the “University of Privatization” with the untenable situation of hundreds of UP students who remain underloaded and without dormitories. Data from the UP Diliman administration show that there are 3,563 enrolled first-year students for the first semester of this academic year, compared to 2,723 during the same period in the previous academic year.

This translates to an increase of 840 students, hence the problems encountered during registration and dorm accommodation. Sources in the UPD administration claim that the acceptance of more students this year is due to the expected reduction of the number of enrollees in 2016 and 2017 as a result of the K-12 program.

“UP’s alignment to the neoliberal schemes of the Aquino regime such as the onerous, anti-people policies of K-12 and commercialization is exposed as a bankrupt administrative measure. Clearly, it functions as an attack on student rigths and the public service character of the University of the Philippines,” the group said.

Given the May 2016 elections, the group also posed a challenge to presidential contenders to take a clear stand against commercialization and the K-12 program. “Fighting for students rights and welfare is easier said than done. A firm stand against anti-student and anti-people policies should be explicitly made.”

The speakers for tomorrow’s press conference are Student Regent Miguel Enrico Pangalangan (commercialization of UP), STAND-UP Chair Menchani Tilendo (situation at UP), Prof. Melania Lagahit (effects of K-12 program on tertiary education) and Dr. Gerardo Lanuza (RPHER and neoliberal attacks on education). A speaker from Kabataan Partylist will discuss the K-12 program and budget cuts.

To dramatize the group’s sentiments, concerned students and faculty will bring mattresses to symbolize the dearth of adequate board and lodging for many students. A giant backdrop providing vivid images of commercialization and lack of concern for student rights and welfare will also be used during the press conference.

Photo opportunities and media interviews are available. Media coverage is requested.

For verification and more details, please contact Prof. Melania Lagahit (0939-915-4630), public relations officer of the UP System All-UP Academic Employees Union and former UPD vice-chancellor for community affairs.

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