Team DailyPedia
In a statement dated March 3, The University of the Philippines-College of Mass Communication (UP-CMC) denounced the practice of hazing and reaffirmed the college’s anti-hazing stance. This, in light of a February 29 post by a UP alumna detailing the traumatizing experiences she went through while being initiated into an org (organization.)
“We, at the University of the Philippines-College of Mass Communication, strongly denounce the dehumanizing practices of hazing, whether in the form of physical and/or verbal abuse,” the statement began.
College administrators then encouraged her and others who faced similar trauma to come forward and file charges. “If this can be part of the healing process… so that a thorough investigation into the matter may be done and warranted sanctions, imposed.”
They then reassured the public that the university does not condone such a practice, stating that “Hazing has no place in a university that upholds honor and excellence; hazing has no place in a nation that respects and protects the dignity of man.”
Facebook user Francis Endrinal applauded the statement but also wondered what steps the college is undertaking to address the issue. “Bringing the issue of hazing to the public fora is very important, especially since this issue involves the welfare [of] students in the university. If it isn’t too much to ask, what concrete measures will the College intend to conduct in order to prevent future incidents?”
Netizen Tress Reyes wondered the same and even challenged the orgs to “deny they commit these acts, commit to stand behind the CMC on this issue, and VOW NEVER TO ADOPT ANY SUCH perverse conditions on newbies and their members.”
Myk Albay, on the other hand, had other questions in mind. “…it makes you wonder: if Billie (or anyone for that matter) kept mum about it, would the college have continued to keep a blind eye towards (see: tolerate) the existence of such practices?”
