AVPAA: HAU refunds lab fees, blended learning a possibility for second semester

“30 percent is the appropriate percentage,” said Ms. Edna Marriza C. Santos, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, stating that the given figure was the equitable refund Holy Angel University (HAU)  was able to give concerning laboratory fees. “Putting all things on an equal playing field and seeing the implication of each of the percentages that we reviewed, to the realities that happened in the first-semester laboratory courses of our students, we came up with that 30 percent. It was the best number that we presented for final action,” she explained.

This figure was applied across all schools and colleges, despite the varying types of laboratory courses and fees charged. “Before we arrived at 30 percent, we reviewed all the inputs from the eight academic units. In reality, there were schools, and even a college, that did not submit any percentage. Those with percentages, we laid down all these numbers, and then we worked on a number that will represent what is an equitable percentage because we had to weigh so many things,” said Santos.

The Finance office will not be able to provide students with an itemized breakdown of the laboratory fees. According to Santos, these are computed based on hours utilized and lab categories, rather than specific costs.

SBA lab fees and department plans

Management Chairperson Dr. Ma. Cristina Naguit provided approximations for the laboratory fees of SBA students, of which, 50 percent was paid to the external provider due to the cloud-based setup, 20 percent was allocated to fixed components such as software and machine maintenance, and 30 percent was the variable refunded to students since campus laboratories were not utilized.

On the matter of the sudden increase in laboratory fees, Naguit explained that the 250 peso increase was due to the transition to cloud-based software, and the 1,500 peso increase was charged by the external provider. According to her, the laboratory classification 1B amounting to 1,646 pesos was first communicated to the finance office, and adjustments for additional fees were made later in the semester.

School of Business and Accountancy Dean Dr. Lina Ramoneda expressed that the department intends to enrich the students’ learning experience in future subjects despite the refund.

HAU working on a blended learning setup

“What we really wanted is to get into a blended mode of delivery, or even open the doors of the university in the first week of classes because we already have our lab classes ready for the second semester. What we are preparing for is our meeting with the city mayor, which will also be attended by the regional director of CHED,” Santos discussed, touching on the possibility of having blended learning in the coming semester.

Santos further explained that the evaluation of the Commission on Higher Education-Interagency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (CHED-IATF) led to recommendations on improvements in preparing for the second semester. HAU would have to plan out its health and safety protocols and get the approval of both City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin, Jr. and CHED in order to implement blended learning.

“We’re studying how we can meet both scenarios,” Santos stated, explaining that the administration is also working on plans to ensure that the blended learning can be optional for students who may not be willing to go to campus.

These matters were discussed in a consultation this afternoon led by the SBA Dean Dr. Lina Ramoneda, Associate Dean Dr. Albert G. Morales, Program Chairpersons Ms. Sandra Brucal, and Dr. Ma. Cristina Naguit, and Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs Ms. Edna Marriza C. Santos. The meeting was also attended by student leaders from The Enterprise, The Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants Holy Angel University Chapter, Management Society, Juris Orbis, and the SBA Student Council.

LAYOUT BY: Cristine Joie Q. Bacud

PHOTO SOURCE(S): Holy Angel University, Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, Commission on Higher Education, Angeles City Government