A pivotal Stakeholders' Consultation involving mainly the students and parents was held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the Canuctan Hall, ESSU Main Campus, to tackle updates concerning various subject matters of great relevance.
Organized by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA), stakeholders composed mainly of the student government officers from across all ESSU campuses, student organization officers of the different colleges in the Main Campus, and the officers of the ESSU Federated Supreme Student Council.
Moreover, the dialogue was attended by University President, Dr. Andres C. Pagatpatan, Jr., Vice President for Administration, Dr. Rhodora C. Mendoza, and Vice President for External Affairs and Quality Assurance, Dr. Jocelyn S. Castro, whose presence added significant importance to the consultation, reinforcing the university's commitment to inclusive decision-making and academic excellence.
The discussions tackled various topics, starting with the adoption and implementation of the "Sal-ong" as the new official graduation regalia for the upcoming Commencement Exercises in June 2025, in place of the traditional western-style mortarboard cap and toga. Public Relations and Information Management Office (PRIMO) Director, Ms. Maria Ayreen B. Elpedes, explained the details and significance of every element of the Sal-ong, which gives the future graduates a distinctive badge that is uniquely and proudly ESSU.
In his message, Dr. Pagatpatan underscored the Sal-ong’s profound role in strengthening the identity of ESSU, stating that it is more than just graduation attire—it is an academic and cultural emblem that reflects the University’s excellence, honor, and pride. He emphasized that by embracing the Sal-ong, ESSU graduates carry with them a symbol of distinction and belonging, setting them apart in their academic and professional journeys.
SSAA Dean, Dr. Aris A. Lapada, also presented the proposed change of the prescribed uniform for ESSU students, which is being planned to be implemented on the incoming freshmen with consideration of the proper dissemination process before the actual implementation. Detailed visual presentations of the Sal-ong and the new uniform design were projected on the LED screen of the Canuctan Hall that provided clear illustrations for the students and parent representatives to see.
Meanwhile, Mr. Deo Nicart of CONAS spoke about the tuition fee increase making it clear that as a state-funded university, ESSU students' tuition fee is paid for by the government. The consultation is just a requirement so that ESSU can collect a higher tuition fee remittance from the funding agency of the government, which will translate to bigger funding and better delivery of instruction and other services to its primary stakeholders—the students.
In the end, the parents and students voted overwhelmingly for a tuition fee increase of 200% from among the other choices of 100% and 150% increases. As a result, ESSU's current tuition fee cost of Php 100 per unit—the lowest among all SUCs in the region—will be raised to Php 300 per unit once a resolution is approved by the Board of Regents, the highest governing body of the University.
Equally important was the consultation on the Mandatory Sticker Gate Pass as an Entry Requirement to School Grounds, which concerns the ESSU Tricycle Operators & Drivers Association (ESSU-TODA). Officers from the ESSU-TODA engaged in a mutual discourse with the ESSU administrative services, students, security personnel, and employees in an effort to streamline the operating procedures and policies that equally favor the drivers' interests and passenger safety.
