TSU students demand transparency and reform of Opt-Out tuition policy

Report by Angilene Dableo and Joaquin Umali | Photos by Leean Margarette Magat

Students at Tarlac State University (TSU), together with by the Student Supreme Council (SSC), student publications, and various student leaders, gathered at the TSU Main Campus Audio-Visual Room (AVR) yesterday, February 17, to discuss concerns regarding the university’s opt-out tuition policy.

The forum, organized by the TSU Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA), aimed to address student inquiries and give clarifications about the opt-out process and its corresponding memorandum.

During the discussion, students raised concerns about miscommunication, financial challenges, and the lack of student representation in the policy-making.

With TSU accommodating over 26,000 students, including those from the School of Law and Laboratory School, despite receiving government funding for only 19,000, the administration implemented the opt-out tuition scheme.

The initiative allows financially capable students to voluntarily pay for their education, preserving resources for those in need. However, student leaders argue that clearer guidelines and a more inclusive approach are necessary.

Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Agnes Macaraeg stated that the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) had requested official enrollment data from TSU, leading to the university's push for a February 28 initial payment deadline.

The administration assured students that initial payments, even as low as Php 2,000, would be sufficient to secure enrollment and avoid purging, a policy that was publicly announced during the orientation.

Furthermore, VPAA Dr. Macaraeg said that no students were forced to sign the agreement for the opt-out mechanism and all is voluntarily done.

“Sana huwag nating avenue ang social media kapag may mga concern tayo. Kasi, we could easily settle whatever your concerns may be,” VPAA Dr. Macaraeg added.

Moreover, student representatives raised concerns about the fairness of the opt-out policy, questioning the criteria used.

According to the law, students who are transferees, taking mid-year classes, retaking subjects, shifting courses, foreign nationals, Filipino students with dual citizenship, pursuing second-degree courses, and those who voluntarily opt-out must pay assessed tuition and other fees during enrollment, these fees are based on the UniFast Board’s composite fee policy.

SSC President Maria Angelica Fresnido clarified her stance on the controversial opt-out policy, stating that she was not part of the board when the decision was affirmed.

"Hindi pa po ako yung nakaupo sa board nung na-affirm po 'tong opt-out, against po talaga ako rito," she emphasized.

She further expressed that the student body was not involve among the university regents during the crafting of the said memo.

“From what I’ve heard po last night kay [former] Pres. Charles, na magbibigay raw po ng IRR [Implementing Rules and Regulations] or guidelines and university natin regarding dito. However, regarding po as of now, wala pa pong guidelines and at the same time ay hindi po kasama ang students noong kina-craft po iyong policy na iyon,” SSC Pres. Fresnido added.

In addition, Associate Professor Jazzel Llaneli M. Manabat, Director of the Office of Public Affairs and adviser of The Oracle, addressed concerns regarding alleged censorship in campus publications.

"To answer your question regarding students being barred from publishing anything, adviser ako ng isang college publication, adviser ako ng The Oracle, part ako ng administration. Tanungin niyo sila, have I barred them from publishing? I didn’t," she stated.

"I never did any censorship sa publication,” she added.

Meanwhile, SSC Senator on Records Rafael Jay Valix voiced his disappointment over the answers given by the university administration in a Facebook post.

“Sa makatwid, sa loob ng mahigit dalawang oras ng tila paglalaro ng tagu-taguan sa mga diretsahang sagot, walang naging malinaw na direksyon ang mga concerns at isyung inilatag ng mga estudyante,” Sen. Valix remarked.

“Patunay ito na ang meeting na ito ay maaring hindi tunay na consultative meeting kung saan bukas silang makinig sa ating mga suhestyon. Mistulang isa lamang itong hakbang sa damage control upang patahimikin ang lumalawak na hinaing ng mga estudyante—Isang pagpapaabot ng impormasyon na tila nagsasabing wala nang dapat ayusin o ipaliwanag pa,” he further exclaimed.

Despite ongoing issues, TSU continues to implement the Free Tuition Law for the majority of its student population. The administration remains firm that the opt-out policy is not a university directive but a compliance measure with national law.

Memorandum Order No. 10 s. 2025 reminded students under the opt-out mechanism of tuition fee deadline to be scheduled for February 28 and the mentioned purging on March 04, 2025.

Additionally, the memo underlined the importance of following the university’s enrollment policies in which faculty members are instructed not to accept students who are not officially enrolled within the bounded deadline.

The university administration will hold another university-wide orientation for students and university organizations for clarifications and suggestions.

Nevertheless, student leaders are advocating for an institutional reassessment, clearer policies, and proper implementation to prevent further confusion and financial strain on students.

With growing demand for transparency and fairness, the SSC and other student representatives are pushing for a more inclusive and accountable system, ensuring that students’ concerns are addressed through proper dialogue with the administration.