Miscellaneous fees are crucial in keeping an institution afloat and maintaining the quality of services offered to its stakeholders—primarily its students. However, sudden increase in such fees, especially if not properly consulted with the student body, is a breach of transparency and integrity, and may lead to distrust among stakeholders.
Last June 30, the Silliman University (SU), through the approval Office of the President, implemented a 4.4-percent increase on college-level miscellaneous fees for school year 2025-2026, as per the approval of the Commission on Higher Education(CHED) Region 7.
During the previous school year, the plan to increase school fees was discussed with the former SU Student Government (SUSG) administration. However, the supposed consultation was only a one-way communication as the administration already agreed on the plan without giving the student body an opportunity to discuss it. Moreover, the implementation of the increase for this school year was made without the knowledge of the current student government.
Students were kept in the dark without any publication materials, emails, or announcements other than a two-page print taped on the bulletin board outside the Business and Finance Office. With no other avenue to learn this information from, the stakeholders are left unaware of how much they are required to pay with increases abruptly implemented.
Thus, transparency of finances was not totally upheld. It not only presents a lack of proper information dissemination, but it also excludes the student body from important discussions that directly affect their academic expenses. More specifically, it may cause financial issues to students who are unable to quickly adjust to sudden increases in school fees.
While it is taken into account that a university cannot simply run on tuition fees alone, hence the importance of decision on such increments must reach the knowledge of students and parents who are its key stakeholders. Despite the approval of CHED, it does not necessarily mean that the immediate implementation of fee hikes be made without student consultation.
The Weekly Sillimanian calls on the administration for transparent information dissemination and proper dialogue, especially on matters concerning student fees. The involvement of all stakeholders in such discourse is imperative to uphold the value of veritas—of truth and transparency—to ensure that the concerns and needs of each person will be met. Most importantly, it serves as an assurance that no one is bombarded and blindsided.
