SAMAHAN NG MGA MAG-AARAL NG PAMANTASAN NG ATENEO DE DAVAO

Jacinto Walkway, Ateneo de Davao University, E. Jacinto Street, Davao City 8016 Tel: (082) 227-1758 | (082) 221-2411 local 8347 E-Mail: [email protected] | www.addu.edu.ph

January 28, 2012 Minutes of the Tuition and Other Fees Increase Consultation January 25, 2012 Board Room, 7th Floor, Finster Building Ateneo de Davao University Time started: 16:02 Presider: Dr. Jessie P. Manuta, Academic Vice President Minute-Taker: Ms. Ianne Angel M. Aquino, SAMAHAN Secretary-General I. Session is called to order. After a prayer, the presider, Dr. Jessie Manuta (AVP), initiates the roll call of the representatives of the different sectors of the university. II. Dr. Manuta states the rationale and purpose of the Tuition and Other Fees Increase (TOFI) consultation, which is to present the plan for the increase in certain fees for the next academic year to the different stakeholders in the university through office representatives, and to gather as much useful points and information from the said parties. He also informs the body that all proceedings of the sessions are to be submitted to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The order of the agenda is stated as follows: 1. Presentation of the TOFI Plan (by Mr. Jimmy Delgado, University Treasurer) 2. Round Table Discussion for points and concerns III. Presentation of the Finance Office The University Treasurer, Mr. Jimmy Delgado, briefs the body how he, with his staff, was able to prepare the entire TOFI plan for AY 2012-2013. He points out that on October of last year, all sectors in the university were made to submit financial liquidation reports to the Finance Office. Aside from the figures from the different offices within the university, useful statistical information from the National Statistics Office (NSO) was obtained. One of which that was pointed out is the projected national inflation rate of 4.75% - denoting that prices of goods and services are expected to increase by such percentage.

ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY

SAMAHAN NG MGA MAG-AARAL NG PAMANTASAN NG ATENEO DE DAVAO

Jacinto Walkway, Ateneo de Davao University, E. Jacinto Street, Davao City 8016 Tel: (082) 227-1758 | (082) 221-2411 local 8347 E-Mail: [email protected] | www.addu.edu.ph

With all the information on hand, the Finance Office analyzed possible measures to be taken regarding the TOFI. After doing so, certain conclusions leading to the proposal were made. Mr. Delgado points out that the fact that salary for all employees is a fixed cost has to be strongly taken into account. Therefore, no decrease can be made to it without negatively affecting the livelihood of all involved. With that established, Mr. Delgado proceeds to the presentation of the proposal for the TOFI for AY 2012-2013. According to his presentation, there will be a 6% increase to the tuition fee. Other fees (which includes laboratory, medico-dental, audio visual, Information Technology, etc.) will bear no increase with the exception of the energy fee, which will incur 6% increase as well. The body is also informed then that the Davao Association of Colleges and Schools (DACS) recently mandated a 30 peso-fee per student. Attached herewith is a two-page document containing a detailed tabulation of tuition and other fees before and after the proposed 6% increase in tuition and energy fee (plus DACS fee). Mr. Delgado expounds on the reason for the proposed increase. 85-90% of the increase is allotted for salary increase for all employees of the university. The remaining 10-15% is set for other expenses. He supports such justification for the increase by adding that if the salaries will not be increased, the take home income of the employees will decrease by 4.75% as per the result of the projected inflation rate stated earlier in the presentation. Mr. Delgado also clarified that the tuition fee increase is not entirely for the 2 new buildings to be constructed starting this year. A separate budget has been allocated for such purpose. The 6% increase in energy fee will partly cover the energy consumption of the construction. It will also partly cover energy consumption of the installation of air conditioning systems of the Canisius and Jubilee buildings. Moreover, electricity fee in Davao City has been reported to increase in the year.

ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY

SAMAHAN NG MGA MAG-AARAL NG PAMANTASAN NG ATENEO DE DAVAO

Jacinto Walkway, Ateneo de Davao University, E. Jacinto Street, Davao City 8016 Tel: (082) 227-1758 | (082) 221-2411 local 8347 E-Mail: [email protected] | www.addu.edu.ph

IV.

Further Discussions and Concerns Mr. Peter Jules Caete, incoming SAMAHAN Treasurer asks of the use of the DACS fee. Mr. Delgado answers that DACS has not clarified their purpose for requiring such fee. However, he has already sent out a formal inquiry for such data and will be following up on it as soon as possible. Mr. Brent Jimenez, incumbent SAMAHAN Treasurer closes Mr. Caetes inquiry by saying that with the fee theyve required, the student body should and will be expecting more affiliations and involvements with DACS for the next school year. Several inquiries are raised about the new buildings. Mr. Delgado confirms the following plans with regards to such concern: - The covered court and the Jesuit house will be demolished to make way for the construction. The residents of the Jesuit house will be staying temporarily in The Pinnacle (free of charge, thanks to the business proprietors of the hotel). - There will be new satellite clinics in the university one in the to-be- constructed Community Building and another in the Canisius building. The clinics will also be improved to cater to more serious cases of emergencies within the campus (like advanced First Aid needs or First Level Heart Attacks). Also, since there has not been one yet, an office will be given to Dr. Mike Manalaysay, the Medical Director of the university. Mr. Reymond Pepito, Editor-in-Chief of Atenews, raises the concern on whether student offices have allotted space among the future infrastructures of the university. Mr. Delgado confirms that student organizations like SAMAHAN, Atenews and Kalasag are provided their own office areas in the Community building. Mr. Pepito adds that student organizations should be consulted as to the size and design of their offices primarily because they will be the ones to occupy the areas in question. He emphasizes his point by relating the dilemma of the Atenews staff of having more than 50 student-journalists share a small office with all their equipment and storage needs. Dr. Manuta suggests that Engr. Evtri Tabanguil, Physical Plant Director, will be asked to cater to suggestions from students regarding this concern. A member of the body raises the issue of students commenting, It is cheaper to use Boyztrek than use the Ateneo IT facilities Furthermore, the motion from some concerned students to make the IT Fee optional upon enrollment is also mentioned.

ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY

SAMAHAN NG MGA MAG-AARAL NG PAMANTASAN NG ATENEO DE DAVAO

Jacinto Walkway, Ateneo de Davao University, E. Jacinto Street, Davao City 8016 Tel: (082) 227-1758 | (082) 221-2411 local 8347 E-Mail: [email protected] | www.addu.edu.ph

In answer to that, Mr. Delgado points out the recent advances of the Information Technology Department of the university, under the spearheading of its director Fr. Ramon Prudencio Toledo, SJ. The former reveals that the IT Department has a 5-year plan that would revolutionize the IT system in Ateneo de Davao University. Moreover, Mr. Delgado also explains that making the IT optional is unrealistic because it is a fixed cost. It pays for more than just the Internet access it is also used to pay for facilities (which are changed every 3 years maximum), licensed software, maintenances and all other related expenses. On a lighter note, Mr. Delgado happily announces that this is the first time in years to have zero percent increase in miscellaneous fees. V. Plan of Action The incumbent SAMAHAN Secretary-General, Ms. Ianne Angel Aquino, suggests that SAMAHAN disseminates all information gathered from the session to the student body for comments and suggestions provided all data should be checked and confirmed first by Mr. Delgado. The body agrees. Deadline set for the comments and suggestions will be on February 10, 2012. Having no further matters to discuss, the presider adjourns the session. Time adjourned: 17:35

Prepared by: IANNE ANGEL M. AQUINO Secretary-General SAMAHAN

ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY