UP lifts 'no late payment' policy following freshman's suicide

Following the suicide of a freshman who allegedly could not afford to pay tuition, the University of the Philippines on Tuesday lifted its policy against the late payment of tuition to benefit students with financial constraints. UP Manila Chancellor Manuel Agulto said in a statement that UP President Alfredo Pascual issued the directive to all UP chancellors and UP Cebu's Dean. "In view of the issues raised regarding the late payment of tuition and other school fees, henceforth, I am enjoining all chancellors to allow a reasonable amount of time for registration and payment of fees," he quoted Pascual's directive to chancellors as saying. "Just to make it clear, this means that the 'no late payment' policy has been lifted. Any student with financial constraints will no longer have any problems with regard to tuition fee payment deadlines," Agulto said. Also on Tuesday, the UP Manila administration had a dialogue with the university's student leaders and faculty where they tackled "issues related to the financial process for enrolment." Last Friday, 16-year-old Kristel Tejada took her own life allegedly since she could not afford to pay tuition. Her death sparked outrage and protests from students and various groups. Kristel's remains In his statement, Agulto said that if Kristel's family permits, "her body will be brought to the College of Arts and Sciences on Friday." He said UP Manila will sponsor a Mass in her honor, adding some students and faculty "wish to pay respects" to her. Meanwhile, Agulto also said they will continue to "strengthen student-administration relations" with constant dialogue and town hall style meetings. He said they will also include psycho-social support via the Office of Student Affairs and the Department of Psychiatry. On the other hand, he thanked the "UP Manila community and UP as a whole" for "understanding this temporary strife we have been experiencing these past days." "We are still, as we always have been, the University of the Philippines of, for and by the people. Education is everyone's right. We will continue to uphold that as we promote academic excellence and genuine public service to our dear nation," he said. Pickets Earlier Tuesday, a group of militant students scrawled messages on parts of the UP Manila campus, calling for justice for Kristel. The group, numbering about 25, also tried to picket a meeting of UP Manila officers at the Philippine General Hospital but were barred by security officers, radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported. Earlier Tuesday, Kristel's father voiced appreciation for the sympathy expressed by various groups but appealed to students not to resort to violence. — KBK, GMA News