By AC Putong
A 4.4-percent increase in college student fees, including miscellaneous and laboratory charges, has been implemented effective the school year 2025-2026, according to a notice posted by the Silliman University (SU) Business and Finance Office (BFO).
The adjustments, signed by SU President Betty Cernol-McCann, cover university fees, miscellaneous fees, laboratory materials, college fees, and other academic program charges.
For miscellaneous fees, notable increases include athletics and cultural fees, student government, wi-fi connectivity, insurance, student center, hospital plan, guidance, electronic data processing, registration, student activities, and publication fees.
Students will also see adjustments in laboratory materials and academic program fees, including physical education fees, typing fees, and learning management system charges, among others.
For colleges, an energy fee charge of ₱90.49 and ₱30.16 during summer, an admission fee, and a student services fee per semester have also been implemented.
However, some items for allied-health courses are not affected by the adjustment.
These include internship, affiliation, cadaver fees, and laboratory usage fees for medical technology and physical therapy, as these are yet to be determined.
All university fees have also increased, except for the documentary stamp for graduating students. Meanwhile, no updates have been released regarding fee changes in the School of Basic Education.
The announcement was posted on the BFO bulletin board. However, no formal advisory has been issued by the university, and the updated miscellaneous fees were also not posted on the SU website.
When asked about the increase, the SU Student Government (SUSG) said that “they were not aware about it.”
Moreover, the university clarified that there will be no increase in tuition at all levels for the current school year.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 7 confirmed last July that “no applications” for tuition hike were filed among higher education institutions in Negros Oriental.
According to CHED-7, the current cap for fee increases stands at 4.4-percent for Central Visayas upon the release of the official rate by the National Economic and Development Authority.
Previous 7–percent hike
In September 2023, CHED approved SU’s proposal for a 7-percent hike in miscellaneous fees for the school year 2023-2024, citing inflation as the main reason for the adjustment.
Despite the approval, students raised concerns after 30 candidates from the Concerted Action for the Upliftment of Students’ Endeavors (CAUSE) and Students’ Union for Reforms (SURE) party opposed the increase during the SUSG 2023 Election Forum.
Following the approval, the SUSG urged the administration to “strengthen their communication channels” with students due to poor consultation before the implementation.
The Weekly Sillimanian has reached out to the Chief Finance Officer regarding public and student consultation on the miscellaneous fees increase, but has yet to respond as of writing.
