CEGP slams Cebu university for school pub office removal

In a move described as “a violation of student and community rights,” the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) has raised concerns over the University of San Carlos (USC) in Cebu City stripping its student publication of its remaining office space.

A Facebook post by Today’s Carolinian on January 17 reported the sudden removal as a notice from the USC administration was seen posted on the office door, stating the space will be replaced by an alumni office.

The CEGP issued a press release the following morning condemning the university administration for its actions against the student publication.

“The USC’s removal of Today’s Carolinian’s office amid students’ fearless inquiry on the tuition fee and other school fees increase is a clear violation of the democratic rights of the students and its communities,” National Spokesperson Brell Lacerna said.

He added that an administration that uses its power forcefully is unfit to lead if it treats student concerns as a threat rather than evaluating the policies it imposes.

In a separate statement on January 20, CEGP Cebu, alongside its member publications, expressed solidarity with Today’s Carolinian.

Among others, Alixandra Alviola, editor-in-chief of Today’s Carolinian, cited the publication’s experience with student repression.

“For six years too long, the University of San Carlos has been complacent in extinguishing the freedoms of our publication, primarily through the taking of our funds, our offices and our rights to coverage, and, secondarily, killing the dissent and the democratic spaces in our university one by one,” her statement read.

According to CEGP Cebu, the student publication has been defunded by the administration since 2019 for its critical coverage of tuition fee hikes and other administrative policies.

Chrisly Aday, chairperson of CEGP Cebu, called the sudden eviction faced by Today’s Carolinian “a clear manifestation of student repression by an administration that only aims to better its image, and not the welfare of its students.”

“The USC admin’s hostility towards TC [Today’s Carolinian], from [the] removal of their offices, funding, right to cover, etc., are blatant attempts to stifle the truth and any form of opposition and genuine concern raised by the student body. Press freedom is a human right, and every student has the right to access the truth,” Aday said.

She also shared similar experiences faced by other student publications in Cebu City.

“TC's case is not an isolated one. Many student publications, like the Nation Builder, face admin repression and are limited with what they can post. This is especially concerning, as this is easily a tactic used by an administration that controls what its student body knows and can do,” she added.

She went on to urge other student publications to demand accountability from USC and help Today's Carolinian in their petitions in pursuit of a genuine and free campus press.

As of writing, the university administration has yet to issue an official statement.

However, a protest is scheduled for January 21 to demand the reinstatement of the publication’s office and funds.