UST faces backlash with conforme banning ‘unchristian behavior’ including rallies & sex

By: Gillan Lasic - 6 years ago

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 admin

Wow, 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