‘Student’s wellbeing is our priority’

As read by Rev. Fr. Enrico Peter A Silab, OAR President, University of San Jose-Recoletos

EVEN before this controversy reached the media, the school was already steps ahead in helping the person involved.

Measures to ensure that she would finish her course with the minimum amount of exposure, so as to protect her privacy, were immediately put in place.

An arrangement where she, as a graduating student, would be able to report to her professors outside of class for lessons was then reached. She was allowed to continue her internship. Her thesis defense was scheduled and will proceed on the date set by her professor.

The extent to which the school strategized to ensure that she could complete her studies shows there is no truth to reports that the school has excluded or expelled the student.

Once she is able to complete the academic requirements of her course and complied with the necessary procedure for graduation, she will graduate. True, an administrative investigation aimed at determining whether school policies were violated was initiated.

But when the video became viral and reached the media, the investigation was overshadowed by the controversy and the student’s physical and psychological well-being became our main priority.

Moreover, the material that has sparked this present controversy was made two years ago.

A lot can change in a person in two years. And a lot did change for the better in the person in this present case.

The greater danger now is the one faced by all Josenians.

Students, faculty, personnel and alumni have begun reporting incidents of harassment, bullying and ridicule both online and in real time.

It eventually compelled the school to suspend the requirement of wearing uniforms to prevent further trauma and embarrassment of all Josenians, a move that we will lift beginning Monday, Feb. 11, 2013.

To be unequivocal, we will bring to bear the full brunt of this institution unto anyone who will show disrespect or physically harm any student, faculty and personnel of the University of San Jose- Recoletos online or in real time, pursuant to this incident.

The school is ready, willing and able to provide legal assistance through lawyers from our prestigious School of Law and counsellors from our very capable Department of Psychology to any Josenian who brings forth a complaint.

Students, faculty and personnel who find themselves harassed, disrespected or bullied are urged to take photographic recording or video evidence that will identify the perpetrator for easier prosecution under the law.

We call on the proper authorities to help safeguard the wellbeing of our students as adamantly as we do; and we condemn those who uploaded, continue to upload, shared, continue to share, and maliciously commented or, in any way, added fuel to this conflagration.

To our students, faculty, staff and alumni: This incident does not define what and who we are.

But it does present us with the opportunity to show to the rest of world that we are courageous in dealing with issues such as this.

To be a Josenian is to INSPIRE. That is to act with interiority and nationalism, commit to service and the pursuit of new ideas, live a virtuous Christian life worthy of emulation, use sound judgement, and to always transcend imposed limitations.

And in this time of crisis, living lives that INSPIRE becomes even more important.