University of Santo Tomas
College of Commerce and Business Administration
Freshmen Primer
Welcome to the University of Santo Tomas – College of Commerce and Business Administration!
The College envisions itself as a model business school forming professionals imbued with
Thomistic values. We educate students to become excellent and ethical economists,
entrepreneurs and business managers who are socially responsible and globally-oriented. To
realize our mission, we are committed to sustain programs of:
• Integration of instruction, research and community service;
• Faculty development; and
• Linkages with government, industry, non-government organizations, both local and
international.
About the College
The College of Commerce and Business Administration offers two programs, the
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (major in Business Economics, Financial
Management, Human Resource Management, and Marketing Management) and the
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
The College is headed by the Dean, Associate Professor Leonardo M. Canoy, Jr., Ph.D. with
the Regent, Reverend Father Senen R. Ecleo, O.P.
Assoc. Prof. Leonardo M. Canoy, Jr., Ph.D. Rev. Fr. Senen R. Ecleo, O.P.
Dean Regent
Also part of the administration are the Assistant Dean, Associate Professor Al Faithrich C.
Navarrete, Ph.D. and the College Secretary, Mr. Francis Lawrence B. De Jesus, Ph.D. The Academic
Officials are composed of the Department Chairs.
University of Santo Tomas
College of Commerce and Business Administration
Freshmen Primer
Assoc. Prof. Al Faithrich C. Navarrete, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean
Mr. Francis Lawrence B. De Jesus, Ph.D.
College Secretary
Asst. Prof. Eric G. Pasquin, Ph.D.
Chair, Business Economics Department
Assoc. Prof. Elizabeth Vivien S. Magbata, Ph.D.
Chair, Financial Management Department
Asst. Prof. Eleighn Grace Vanessa M. Castro, MIR
Chair, Human Resource Management
Department
Asst. Prof. Riaz Benjamin, MBA
Chair, Marketing Management Department
Asst. Prof. Maria Paula Joan T. Bautista, Ph.D.
Chair, Entrepreneurship Department
University of Santo Tomas
College of Commerce and Business Administration
Freshmen Primer
Policy Highlights
All enrolled students are requested to read the student handbook that can be downloaded from
their MyUSTe student portal ([Link] Important areas of
consideration are as follows:
1. Honesty
The University, in accordance with its Catholic & Dominican teachings, puts a high
premium on the practice of honesty, the act of truth-telling, truth-seeking, truth-doing.
Consequently, any act of dishonesty should be avoided. Acts of dishonesty may be
sanctioned depending on the gravity of the case even to the extent of dismissal or
expulsion.
2. Courtesy
Courtesy is an act of respect towards another, in recognition of fundamental human
dignity. Courtesy is a sign of one’s maturity. Its observance creates a climate of goodwill
and fellowship. Thomasian students must, at all times, be courteous and respectful of
others, most especially the guards-on-duty when they are approached for improper
grooming.
3. Diligence
Thomasian students give honor to their family and to the University by being diligent in
their studies. They should have a natural thirst for knowledge and view their attendance
in the University as an opportunity to learn and improve themselves.
Thus, the student must:
a. Be punctual
b. Be present in their classes and participate in school-sanctioned activities (cutting-
classes can be sanctioned & can be considered violation of this policy provision)
c. Be prepared for their lessons, homework, and examinations given.
d. Students are only allowed up to 10 hours of absences for the whole semester for each
course/subject. Excused absences and absences due to sickness are also included in
the 10 hours allowable absences.
FA = failure due to absences; a student who incurs more than 10 allowable
absences and has taken the preliminary exam but shall not be allowed to take the
final exams
WF = grade that is given to a student who stops attending classes before the
preliminary examinations (did not take the prelim exams) without officially
dropping the course/subject.
WP = grade given to a student who stops attending classes after officially dropping
the course/subject.
University of Santo Tomas
College of Commerce and Business Administration
Freshmen Primer
4. Good Grooming
Good grooming includes the wearing of the prescribed college uniform, the authorized
shoes, the ID, the male haircut and other considerations that are similar to these. There
are two (2) types of uniform for the College. Type A uniforms are worn starting the First
Term up to Ash Wednesday. Type B uniforms are worn after Ash Wednesday upto the
end of the Special Term.
Type A Uniforms:
Female – Skirt should cover the knee and
should not be tight-fitting
Female & Male – Pants should be of formal
wear/design and not be tight-fitting
Type B Uniforms:
Official Polo shirt with logo
*Details to follow
Note: Unless otherwise allowed through a written permission by the administrators
(Dean/Asst. Dean), all students must wear the proper uniform at all times within the
University premises.
5. Decency & Modesty in Action
Thomasian students must, at all times, act with proper decorum and etiquette. Engaging
in indecent or lewd conduct is contrary to the mores of Catholic behavior and morality.
Special Item: In case of pregnancy out of wedlock
The University upholds the sanctity of human life, as well as the sanctity of the
conjugal act within marriage. However, in the event that an unmarried student
gets pregnant, she is encouraged to inform and seek the help of the SWDB
Coordinator or the Guidance Counselor.
University of Santo Tomas
College of Commerce and Business Administration
Freshmen Primer
The University, through the collaboration of the Regent, the Health Service
Director, SWDB Coordinator, Guidance Counsellor, and the student’s parents,
shall accompany the student through spiritual direction, medical assistance and
guidance counselling.
To give the student adequate time and space to prepare for the important
responsibility of single parenthood and, secondarily, to avoid the possibility of
offending the moral sensibility of students, parents, and the university community
on account of her irregular status, a pregnant student shall then take a Mandatory
Leave of Absence from the University upon public disclosure, whether deliberate
or otherwise.
6. Maintenance of Peace & Order
The University upholds and protects peace & order within its community. Members of
the Thomasian community are expected to give due regard to the rules and regulations
formulated and implemented by the University authorities to ensure that peace & order
may prevail.
Thomasian students who impede, obstruct, prevent or defeat the right and obligation of
a teacher or professor to teach his/her subject, or the right to attend his classes or any
official activity shall be subject to disciplinary action.
*REMINDER: Physical Examination is a must since a Medical Clearance is a requirement
for all off-campus activities (co-curricular & extra-curricular) as mandated by the
Commission of Higher Education.
7. Camaraderie
The University recognizes the role of molding Thomasian students as well-rounded social
beings by encouraging formation and membership in organizations that advocate positive
values and self-improvement. Hence, only student organizations whose objectives uphold
the mission and goals of the University may be formed and recognized.
Students are advised to join only duly recognized student organizations either college-
based or university-wide level to avoid being a victim of hazing.
8. Care for the Environment
The task of caring for and of maintaining a clean campus belongs not only to the University
Administration, but also to the community. A clean, smoke-free and well-kept
environment benefits everyone. Hence, Thomasian students are encouraged to actively
University of Santo Tomas
College of Commerce and Business Administration
Freshmen Primer
participate in keeping the campus clean and in preventing pollution or other
environmental degradation.
Environmental degradation may result from among others:
a. Smoking (the whole University is a NON-SMOKING AREA)
b. Littering and improper solid waste disposal (the St. Raymund Bldg is a styro-free
building)
c. Smoke-belching vehicles, or leaving the car engine on while parked inside the
University premises
d. Playing of car stereo with the use of bass amplifiers/boosters at a high volume; and
e. Similar situations deemed detrimental to the environment
PPS 1028 – PENALTIES
When violations are committed, the ID of the student is confiscated by any administrative or
academic official, faculty member, support staff, members of the Security force of the
University and turned over to the SWDB Coordinator of the College.
• The erring student should claim his ID from the SWDB Coordinator or Assistant Dean at
the earliest possible time to avoid additional violations.
Penalties shall be imposed for violations of the Code of Conduct to instill in the student
the understanding that any act of misbehavior, willful violation and/or defiance of lawful
rules and regulations has no place in a Catholic University.
Penalties are PROGRESSIVE in character, taking into account the previous violations
committed by the offender.
The penalties imposed shall range from:
• Warning
• Admonition (parents are called already)
• Suspension
• Exclusion (the name of the student is removed from the rolls of the University)
• Expulsion (excluded from admission to any public or private school in the
Philippines)
Additional penalties such as, but not limited to:
• Payment of fine/civil liabilities
• Non-issuance of certificate of good moral character
• Disqualification from further enrolling in the University
• Withholding/non-issuance of credentials (diploma & TOR)
Kindly abide or follow the Policy Guidelines of PPS 1027 – Code of Conduct & Discipline
to avoid sanctions for violations and non-compliance thereof.
University of Santo Tomas
College of Commerce and Business Administration
Freshmen Primer
Other activities that may be required for the program:
• Religious activities such as recollection for 1st & 2nd year (in-campus); pilgrimage
to Manaoag for 3rd year (off-campus) and retreat at Calaruega for 3 days-2 nights
(off-campus) for 4th year. Attendance is a must and expected to all students who
will enroll in the University.
• Other academic requirements such as educational trips (local & international),
research works including thesis, project development, feasibility studies, strategic
papers, business plan, business implementation, attendance in seminars (in or off-
campus), participation in competitive contests
Note: For all official off-campus activities, the College/Department provides an
Undertaking Form requesting for Parental Consent & Waiver prior to the said
activity. Medical clearance is needed in all off-campus activities.
Certification Exams such as TOEIC (English proficiency exam) for all 1st and 4th year
students are also conducted.
Other Academic Related Matters
• ROTC for 1st year or NSTP (CWTS or LTS) for 2nd
• In case of failure/deficiency in a Theology course, there will be no petition class in the
regular term or special term.
• GRADING SYSTEM
• Based on the 5-point numerical grading system, 1.0 is the highest and 3.0 is the lowest
and 5.0 means failed (with .25 interval)
• The passing mark for all courses in the College is 75%.
• Students with failures/deficiencies (less than 9 units) can enroll these courses only on
petition basis during the regular semester or special term.
• A grade of Incomplete (INC) is given to students who have failed to take the final
examination or to submit a major requirement for a course on account of illness or
other valid reasons. The student receiving a grade of INC should be able to complete
the requirements immediately within the succeeding term, otherwise a failing grade
will be given.
University of Santo Tomas
College of Commerce and Business Administration
Freshmen Primer
Grade Equivalent Description
1.00 96-100% Excellent
1.25 94-95 Very Good
1.50 92-93 Very Good
1.75 89-91 Good
2.00 87-88 Good
2.25 84-86 Good
2.50 82-83 Fair
2.75 79-81 Fair
3.00 75-78 Passed
5.00 Failure
FA Failure due to absences
WP Withdrew with permission
WF Withdrew without permission
Debarment
The University shall debar students who do not show satisfactory performance in their
academic undertaking. Students with failures corresponding to nine (9) or more units are not
to be readmitted in the succeeding semesters.
Academic (Latin) Honors
The University confers honors upon her students who exhibited academic excellence in their
fields of specialization. The following honors are awarded to graduating students:
Cum Laude: GWA 1.46 – 1.75
Magna Cum Laude: GWA 1.21 – 1.45
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College of Commerce and Business Administration
Freshmen Primer
Summa Cum Laude: GWA 1.00 – 1.20
The general weighted average (GWA) is based on all grades for academic courses including
Theology and non-academic courses, PE and ROTC or NSTP from first year to fourth year.
In addition, no major or grave offense committed based on the UST Student Handbook and
not convicted of crime involving moral turpitude.
Contact Details
Office Address: 4/F St. Raymund de Peñafort Building, University of Santo Tomas, España
Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila 1008, Philippines
Email: [Link]@[Link]
Telephone numbers: +63-2-3406-1611 loc. 8258/8272
(Pandemic situation may affect accessibility of telephone numbers)
Facebook Page: @ustcommerce1933
Additional information regarding the CoVid Pandemic:
With the current global issue on the spread of Covid-19, classes are conducted in an enriched
virtual mode. Classes are delivered online in the form of synchronous and/or asynchronous
classes. Assessments and submission of deliverables are also done online.
