Who can I turn to?

Since March 2005, I have been receiving calls from parents, relatives and friends of applicants who failed in their entrance exams for admission in UST, mostly coming from those who would want to take up college course at the Faculty of Engineering. In my capacity as the faculty regent, I entertain these "requests" though I made it clear to everyone that I am not in a position to give them assurance that they will eventually be admitted. Initially I would recommend that they (the applicants) write a letter of reconsideration addressed to the Dean of the faculty (yikes! my eyebrows meet whenever I would in some cases encounter letters addressed to me though I already made it clear to them that the faculty dean is the proper authority who will attend to these applications). Nevertheless, I forward the communications to the dean personally; if she's not present, to the faculty secretary for submission to the dean as soon as she arrives.

The dean, on her part, once told me that she welcomes applicants who ask for reconsideration. During the initial interview, she usually requires them to submit to her at least a true copy of their Form 138 (high school report card) since, she said, it is possible that an above-average applicant may suffer from mental blockage because of intense nervousness or excitement during the exams which in turn could derail their passing the tests. Thus, according to her, the results of the entrance exams may not be the only standard in measuring the intellectual aptitude of the candidate, and/or for inscription on a course of their choice. Meanwhile, the final grades on the form 138 specifically on those subjects related to the desired course should be given close attention and evaluated. This procedure she said only happens for applicants who failed in the entrance tests. Subsequently, if the grades are high or the evaluation is positive, the candidate will most likely be given the green light to enroll at the faculty.

All applicants for reconsideration, together with their parents, friends and those who accompany them are well informed of the above procedure, and the dean makes it very clear to them of the requirements, university policies and documents to be submitted during their initial visits at the office. However, sometimes isolated instances could still occur like the case of parents who could be so insistent and "makulit", and whose "perseverance" can become really annoying. One parent, for example, called me up very late last night inquiring about the status of his son's application. I did not feel exactly bad in receiving his call though I was already in bed and about to enjoy my first minutes of sleep. Sure I entertained him with all his implorings, pambobolas, etc. and I thanked God I did not lose my patience. Suddenly I realized that I'm becoming so popular and a much sought after celebrity during summertime.

Of course I perfectly understand their situation and I'm happy to be of service to them and provide assistance as far as I can. I'm aware that if I'm in their shoes I would probably do the same. But I think, and am speaking for myself, that requesting assistance should also be done within ethical confines, and people professionally abide by what has been made clear to them and/or mutually agreed upon during such visits. Let's face it - we cannot fit and dump all people in the same corner. Patience and openness when abused sometimes can lead to annoyance and antagonism by reason of one's tenacious persistence in how things should be done this or that way to the exclusion of others.