UP: More dorms needed for students

MANILA, Philippines - The University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, Quezon City has resolved the issue of housing of some 300 students this school year, but an official admitted the need for additional dormitories to accommodate more students in the university.

UP Diliman chancellor Michael Tan said Friday the administration has already granted the appeals of the 300 students whose applications for slots in university dormitories were initially denied.

Vice chancellor for student affairs Neil Santillan said over 4,000 students have applied for dormitory slots this year, but the university can only accommodate 3,750 students.

The university has a population of over 26,000 students.

Tan said the ideal number of dormitory slots should be 25 percent of the total population, or around 6,500.

“We’re working on it… we’re moving to expand the number of dorm rooms,” he said, saying they will start with the construction of a dormitory for student athletes with the support of alumni.

“We’re also looking at the possibilities of modular-type (dormitories),” he added.

In the past week, some students who have pending appeals for dormitory slots were reportedly forced to “camp out” in various areas inside the campus due to the late release of results.

“The students have no choice but to sleep in places such as sunken garden, have no choice but to find shelter in (convenience stores),” student regent Mico Pangalangan said.

“The problem is that these students go here without homes and UP has no plans (and) resorts to the fact that they can’t do anything (for them),” he added.

Santillan, however, disputed the statement and claimed that the university has offered to accommodate the students at the Church of the Risen Lord inside the campus.

Explaining the issue on the delay of the release of results, he said some of those who have appealed were not able to submit all the necessary documents needed by the Office of the Student Housing.

More freshmen

According to Tan, the university has accepted more freshmen this year and this has contributed to problems on class enlistment and student dormitory applications.

“It caused some problems with getting classes (and) it did add to the problem on student housing because more students applied,” he said.

He said the university will open more sections to address the issue of enrolment in classes, particularly in the general education program.