Tuition Fee Increase Consultation Initiatives Survey Results The Office of the Executive Treasurer gathered a total of 1,009 respondents for the online survey that was conducted from October to December 2016 as a means of determining the sentiments and views of students regarding the annual tuition fee increase. 1. Is your tuition fee worth it based on the quality of education you are receiving? Yes
573/1009
56.8%
No
436 /1009
43.2%
56.8% of the respondents indicated that their fees are commensurate to the quality of education they are receiving. This sentiment was followed up with general satisfaction with the university’s quality of professors, facilities, and safety. The remaining 43.4% of the respondents, claimed the opposite. These respondents are likely to have experienced problems with the university’s professors and facilities. Specific examples include slow internet speeds and inadequate teaching, which could be a few of the reasons students do not feel they are getting their money’s worth. 2. How important do you feel the tuition fee increase is for the factors below? (with 1- less important and 4- most important) a) Salary of professors
1 (less important)
65/1009
6.4%
2
227/1009
22.5%
3
465/1009
46.1%
4 (more important)
252/2109
25.0%
The respondents largely believe there is importance in a university that offers reputable and quality education. b) Salary of DLSU Administrators and personnel
1 (less important)
70/1009
6.9%
2
302/1009
29.9%
3
468/1009
46.4%
4 (more important)
169/1009
16.7%
To attain a quality services and education, administrators and personnel must perform productively throughout the school year. This involves satisfactory compensation which is why a significant number of respondents believe that a tuition fee increase is justified if the salaries of the admin and personnel of the university are increased. c) Overall Campus Development (Library, buildings, etc)
1 (less important)
57/1009
5.6%
2
147/1009
14.6%
3
316/1009
31.3%
4 (more important)
489/1009
48.5%
Majority of the of the respondents believe that the administration can do more in terms of improving the university as a whole in terms of facilities, buildings, and teaching.
d) Utilities Expense (Electricity, etc)
1 (less important)
111/1009
11%
2
274/1009
27.2%
3
402/1009
39.8%
4 (more important)
222/1009
22%
Respondents generally feel that tuition feel increases go to the increase in utility expenses due to factors like inflation and longer usage. However, a relatively large number of students do not give these factors much importance because they believe the university should invest more in efficiency measures such as energy and water conservation mechanisms. e) DLSU Manila - STC Integration
1 (less important)
348/1009
34.5%
2
386/1009
38.3%
3
222/1009
22%
4 (more important)
53/1009
5.3%
38 to 72% of the respondents answered that this is one of the less important factors to be considered in the tuition fee increase. Students believe that the integration between DLSU’s Manila and STC campus shouldn’t affect their tuition fee. f) Development of DLSU College of Law
1 (less important)
329/1009
32.6%
2
373/1009
37%
3
224/1009
22.2%
4 (more important)
83/1009
8.2%
32.6% to 69.5% of the respondents answered that this is one of the less important factors to be considered in the tuition fee increase. Students believe that the money to be allotted for the development of the DLSU College of Law should not affect the allocation of the budget for the undergraduate programs. g) What other important factors should be considered for a justifiable tuition fee increase? ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Well-maintained security measures (e.g. working CCTVs). Address enrollment concerns such as slow Animosys. Address parking concerns. Better facilities. (e.g. bidet, comfort rooms, elevators, WIFI accessibility and internet speed) Better sports & shower facilities. Expansion of campus. Improve health services. Improve escalator or do not turn it off (Henry Sy). Greater accountability measures for professors to increase the quality of education. Decrease free cuts. More classrooms. More out of school learning. More photocopying and printing machines. More interactive or simply a better student life. More student services. (e.g. charging stations) Permanent venues for accredited and aspiring organizations. Renovate, especially the old buildings. Replace old chairs. Support more scholars. Traffic condition along taft. Upgrade classroom facilties. (e.g. computer, projector)
3. How much are you willing to pay for an increase in tuition fee per unit?
1%
247/1009
24.5%
3%
203/1009
20.1%
5%
56/1009
5.6%
10%
16/1009
1.6%
I am not in favor for a tuition fee increase
487/1009
48.3%
Majority of the 48.3% of the respondents oppose a tuition fee increase. Respondents do not feel or see the changes brought about by the annual increase of the tuition fees. They still see the same quality of education and services offered by the university which for them, has stagnated, or even deteriorated because. Respondents that do not oppose an increase are within the 3 to 5 percent rage which is because they feel the university must also combat inflation while increasing the reason for professors and personnel to perform at a high level. However, a number of these students also want to see a breakdown of fees to know where their money is going, and to track the changes in the quality of services. 4. Should the DLSU Senior High School have an effect on our tuition fee? Yes, it should decrease 345/1009 our tuition fee.
34.4%
No
565/1009
56.3%
Yes, it should increase our tuition fee.
62/1009
6.2%
Yes, it should decrease our tuition fee.
31/1009
3.1%
Majority of the respondents answered that the new DLSU Senior High School not on tuition fees. Similarly, they feel that this is an issue or operation that is separate to undergraduates and therefore, should not impact the fees they pay.
5. Should the commercial establishments (Yoga, Mac store, etc) affect our tuition?
Yes, it should increase 37/1009 our tuition fee.
3.6%
Yes, it should decrease 285/1009 out tuition fee.
28.2%
No
68.1%
687/1009
68.1% responded that the commercial establishments inside the De La Salle Manila campus should have no effect on the tuition fee. Respondents said that: these services offered not utilized by everyone, and these services are not free so it should have no impact on tuition fees. However, majority of the students who said these establishments have an impact on tuition claim that the rent earned by the university should decrease tuition fees. 6. What specific action/s can DLSU initiate to sustain or even decrease the tuition fee, if possible? (Aside from conserving energy as it was given as example) ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Address concerns of lab fees. Conduct fundraisers. Conserve water. Cut down unnecessary events. Earlier curfew to shorten energy consumption. Find new investors. Get better equipments that saves energy. Get more donations or sponsorships. Initiate Earth hour. Invest on the right choices that may actually affect the students. Lessen/remove Christmas lights. Maximize use of classrooms. Recycle. Reevaluate special fees. Reevaluate miscellaneous fees.
● Remove subjects that are irrelevant or unimportant to the program of the student. (re-evaluate the curriculum) ● Remove unnecessary fees. ● Stop making students pay for unnecessary facilities. (e.g. Lab) ● Transparency. ● Upgrade lightings to LED for smaller power consumption. ● Use new technology, solar panels. ● Utilize resources properly.
