So as not to drag the issue any further, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Friday, March 15, stepped in to resolve the “haircut” dispute between students and the administration of the Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST).
“When I heard about the problem of students in EARIST this morning I immediately instructed CHED ED [Executive Director] Cindy Jaro to invite both sides to my office,” De Vera said in a statement, announcing that the dispute has been resolved following a dialogue between concerned parties.
CHED, De Vera said, facilitated a dialogue between the EARIST administration led by President Rogelio Mamaraldo and the affected students led by Red Riotoc of the Bahaghari EARIST body to discuss and “find ways of solving the problem.”
“Found the middle ground,” De Vera said after both sides agreed to settle the issue.
Both parties agreed that all students of EARIST will be able to enroll regardless of the length of their hair, De Vera confirmed.
Additionally, CHED said that EARIST would “hold in abeyance” the questioned provisions in their Student handbook (haircut and admission, uniform policy, etc) and consult with all students to draft acceptable new and more inclusive guidelines that will be submitted to the EARIST Board of Regents.
“These revisions will be included in their revised Student Handbook to make sure similar incidents can be avoided in the future,” De Vera said.
EARIST drew flak after a video, where the school allegedly refused enrollment to members of the LGBT community who have long hair, went viral.
Voices must be heard
De Vera also urged Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to ensure inclusivity and gender sensitivity regarding policies involving their students.
“I urge our higher education institutions to ensure that their student policies are consistent with requirements of law and open lines of constant communication with students,” De Vera said in a statement. “Their voices must be heard and considered in the crafting of policies,” he added.
De Vera said CHED will also organize workshops among HEIs to share “best practices in inclusivity and gender sensitivity so HEI can improve their students policies in the future.”
In a separate statement issued by EARIST signed by Mamaradlo, the school maintained that “all students were, and are allowed to enroll” for the Second Semester 2023-2024, “regardless of gender and particularly of how they wear/manage their hair, provided that those with long hair have them properly fixed or tied.”
EARIST also addressed the viral videos on social media regarding haircuts and noted that those were “unverified.”
Before the meeting with CHED, the school said a meeting between its officials and representatives of the LGBT community already took place on March 12.
“The same meeting ended with the agreement that the parties shall convene again to discuss the possibility of a new set of implementing rules and regulations (IRR) concerning enrollment,” EARIST said.