A FORMER UST official has called for a review of the University’s academic policies following the death of a 22-year-old BS Physical Therapy senior, stressing that standards should not come at the cost of students’ well-being.
Former UST vice rector Fr. Virgilio Ojoy, O.P. said Junver Toledo, a College of Rehabilitation Sciences student who took his life on May 17, should have been given greater compassion, especially as he was in his final year and had missed the passing mark only by a small margin.
Posts from Toledo’s relatives and a note he had left behind indicated that the UST physical therapy student allegedly failed a subject for the second time, falling short by just 1.5%.
“In matters where the good of the student is at stake, ‘yong interest of the student should be given more importance than all other considerations,” Ojoy told the Varsitarian on May 22, shortly after UST released a statement on Toledo’s passing.
“We exist for the student, not for any standard, not for any percentage in board passers or whatever,” the former UST vice rector added. “We should also put very great weight on the good of students.”
Ojoy proposed institutionalizing a collegial decision-making process for cases involving a student’s academic standing, whether graduating or not.
“Sana ma-institutionalize na every year, there should be a deliberation of the entire faculty on the performance of each student, especially students who have problematic situations,” he said. “Dapat pinag-uusapan ‘yan.”
He emphasized that academic evaluation should be holistic, especially in critical situations.
“One professor cannot decide on the fate of the student. For example, mag-isa lang siya na isang subject lang na failed ng student. The evaluation of the student should be more comprehensive,” he said.
“We should accept that there are professors who are controlling, there are professors who are terroristic, and there are professors who have some axe to grind on some student,” he added. “And sometimes they would use their power in order to impose their own power over the students. So that could be oppressive.”
Ojoy is a longtime educator and academic administrator. He served as acting dean and regent of the Faculty of Arts and Letters before assuming the post of UST secretary general, and eventually, UST vice rector.
UST offered condolences to Toledo’s family in a statement, describing his death as an “unfortunate incident.” It said it had extended support to Toledo’s loved ones and others in need.
The Varsitarian has sought comment from the College of Rehabilitation Sciences but has yet to receive a response.
