Oldest university in Asia, University of Santo Tomas (UST), found itself in yet another online backlash after netizens rallied against the university after allegedly forcing its students to sign an enrollment conforme that bans acts reflecting “unchristian behavior”.
These acts include “anti-UST online sentiments”, “joining rallies/assemblies”, “acts of indecency in electronic media”, and “engaging in premarital sex or LGBT relationships”, according to tweet shared by Twitter user @AngryFerds.
https://twitter.com/angryferds/status/1018750219914055680?s=21
Among the listed offenses in the Policy Guidelines and Conditions section of the said conforme are the following:
“1.1 x. Cohabiting without the benefit of marriage, or engaging in relationship contrary to the principles adhered to by the University and the teachings of the Catholic Church; Participating in or joining indecent shows, film, contests, appearing nude in any publication and the like;”
“1.2 f. Organizing and/or joining boycotts, assemblies, parades or marches, or other gatherings that tend to create unnecessary noise and/or disturbance;”
“1.2 r. Committing acts of indecency in the use of electronic media (e.g. facebook, tweeter [sic], instragram [sic], blogs, etc.) which may include the use of indecent words, uploading of indecent picture(s) or image(s), or those reflecting unchristian behavior of himself or of any other person(s); preparing, publishing, bringing into the University premises letters, pictures, books, magazines, engravings, sculptures and other similar materials;”
The above-mentioned are said to be “punishable by suspension, non-readmission or exclusion depending of the gravity and number of offense/s”.
People online expressed their dismay towards the said university policy and guidelines and how UST handled recent issues including the case of its student, Kyle Viray, who was only asked to render community service after his ex-girlfriends spoke about his abusive behavior.
Shame on the UST admin for protecting Kyle Viray. A few apologies and community service just won't cut it. Kick him out. Don't let him graduate. So much for being a Catholic school. Nakakaawa mga estudyante niyo.
— Isko 🌸🌾 (@iskolarspeaks) July 15, 2018
Kyle Viray, abuses women – must render community service
SHS students, voice out opinion on K-12 – subjected to suspension, barred from enrolling, faces continuous harassment from adminWow, so this is how injUSTice system works
— Angelica Reyes (@missanjreyes) July 16, 2018
I mean I'm not from UST but
Kyle Viray's punishment was the same as my punishment when I forgot to bring my ID to school
wtf is that yo
— john lee (@TroJohnHorse) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/fmrsantiago/status/1018400429783187458
https://twitter.com/gaychup/status/1018455250867376130?s=21
Some are saying that the university proves itself to be a “backwards institution” and behaves like the “dark side of Catholic Church”. The irony here, is that UST bans acts and behaviors “contrary to the principles adhered to by the University and the teachings of the Catholic Church,” yet condone domestic abuse and treat it as something only punishable by community service.
https://twitter.com/thecolor_teal/status/1018368181939855360
https://twitter.com/teztikelz/status/1018827306096214016
Why does homosexuality offend Catholics more than domestic abuse, sexual harassment, and rape does?
Why do the religious keep calling for an abuser’s protection and care for their ‘mental health’ when they couldn’t spare a thought for the victim?
‘Christian Values’ my ass.
— Jason del Rosario (@fauxillustrado) July 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/mlizada/status/1018859356924739586
https://twitter.com/hjoldr/status/1019044160907735050?s=21
Students and alumna from other schools showed their support for UST students and called out the university for how it is treating its students.
https://twitter.com/titscentury/status/1018812203254730753
https://twitter.com/diegomags/status/1018756299960406016
https://twitter.com/hjoldr/status/1019038087488274433?s=21
Meanwhile, others who once dreamed of going to UST expressed how they are glad they “dodged a bullet”.
https://twitter.com/666KNlVES/status/1018657563238268928
UST sounds like hell jesus fuckin christ
and to think i almost went there????? dodged a bullet whew
— liah 🌸 (@liahsux) July 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/teztikelz/status/1018860149371310080
UST has yet to release a comment or an official statement regarding the issue.
—
Read more from InqPOP!:
Doctor criticizes misleading barangay health signage that allegedly cost P50K to make
18 songs from 2001 that defined your high school or college years
This online dictionary decided to define most commonly used emojis
Tokyo women’s university will now be accepting transwomen students
Future University of Adelaide criticized for ad depicting mansplaining
