September 15, 2015,
10:06p.m. – THE STUDENT Council of the Faculty of Arts and
Letters (ABSC) wants the college administration to suspend the implementation
of the so-called “hair policy” prohibiting long hair for males and “loud” hair
color, amid opposition from students.
The ABSC requested for a consultation and suspension of the new
policy in a letter to the Artlets Dean’s Office last Sept. 8, after meeting
with student representatives in the Board of Majors (BOM) on Sept. 1.
In a statement released on Facebook last Sept. 13, the ABSC said
the choice of hairstyle and hair color did not affect students’ learning or
obstruct other people’s rights. “In fact, we believe that this could contribute
to the holistic development of an individual,” the statement read.
The statement mentioned Artlets Dean Michael Anthony Vasco as
saying during a meeting with council officers last Sept. 11 that he was supportive
of freedom of expression in the college, with limits, and that he was open to a
dialogue with those opposed to the policy.
“Dean Vasco was firm in his response that even freedom has its
limitations. He believes that the Artlets’ freedom to wear different hairstyles
and hair colors has been abused,” the ABSC said.
The ABSC also said Vasco would allow long hair for men “as long
as they look neat.” For hair color, Vasco preferred “blonde, burgundy and
brown,” the ABSC claimed.
Jan Dominic Castro, ABSC president, said the council would seek
another dialogue with the college administration to know the reason behind the
policy. “We want to uphold the liberality in AB as well as the freedom of
expression of beliefs and personalities of the students,” Castro told the
Varsitarian.
The “Good Grooming Policy” of the University’s Code of Conduct
and Discipline, contained in the UST Student Handbook, states that: “Unless
otherwise allowed by the administrators of the particular
Faculty/College/Institute School for specific reasons, male students are not
allowed to sport long hair. Hair should not touch the collar of the uniform.
The use of hairpins, pony tails, headbands, etc. by male students is likewise
not allowed.” There is no mention of hair color.
Social media campaign
The groups Union of Journalists of the Philippines-UST and
STAND-UST campaigned against the hair policy on social media early this month.
The groups claimed that security guards had begun asking for the IDs of
students deemed to have violated the grooming policy at the entrance of St.
Raymund’s Building, and instructing the same students to claim their IDs at the
Dean’s Office.
The social media campaign drew mixed reactions, with negative
views mostly coming from alumni and outsiders.
Said Facebook user Dan Mendoza on the UJP-UST Facebook page: “I
honestly don’t care whatever reason UST is getting strict on its hair policy.
I’m not even from UST to begin with. But rules are rules. Lagi na lang ba
gagamitin ang ‘freedom of expression’ para i-justify ang paglabag sa rules? Why
do some people always have this sense of entitlement? Ganyan na ba talaga
katigas ang ulo ng mga estudyanteng Pinoy? Freedom is not absolute.”
Said Randy Q. Villanueva: “Meanwhile, in other parts of the
country, hordes of talented kids dream of going to college but cannot because
they have no means. Instead, they are working themselves to the bone to help
their parents in feeding their siblings. Offered the chance to study in UST, I
doubt if they would be enraged by a hair policy. My point is that maybe, just
maybe, you bright young people should look at this issue from this perspective.
I’m not trying to be condescending. I’m just saying there are nobler things to
fight for.”
Facebook user Xave meanwhile commented: “To suggest that
students must obey without questioning is to suggest that they cannot think for
themselves for they must be dumbed down by unnecessary rules and regulations.
To suggest that these students who do question the status quo should just go and
find another school is to suggest that the University is not a place of free
thought, which is alarming considering that this University is hailed as one of
the most prestigious in Asia.”
Said U.g. Naguit: “It is disappointing to see ‘educated’ citizens
asserting their so-called ‘values’ and imposing their status quo mentality. It
is even more disheartening to see ‘educated’ people shunning Thomasians merely
for daring to question the sudden implementation of the haircut and hair color
policy in the UST-Faculty of Arts and Letters. In this conservative society, it
is not surprising why individuals who maintain a critical mindset always are
misunderstood and often tagged as activists, and rarely appreciated. Often are
their virtues understated and their intemperance exaggerated. The status quo
has transformed us into becoming averse to change and disposed to conformity.” Alhex
Adrea M. Peralta
