As a new term starts and following DLSU’s gradual reopening of campuses, ID 120 and ID 121 students struggle with campus entry and with other personal agendas due to the lack of official school IDs. 

To resolve this gap, alternatives such as laminated enrollment assessment forms (EAFs) and a campus entry fee system are currently being eyed by the University administration.

‘Justifying’ the need for school IDs

For a number of ID 120s, an academic year and a term has passed since their college journey started, while it has been a term’s worth of stay for ID 121s. Given the suspension of in-person classes and limited faculty and staff operations in campuses, the inclusion of an ID fee in the tuition fee despite such a setup continues to prompt questions from students on the daily.

Last February 26, the DLSU Campus Services Innovations released a survey which aims to determine possible ways “for processing and receiving” physical school IDs of students. Additionally, a requirement for students to submit a 1,000-word follow-up essay on why they need and deserve to have school IDs, which University Provost Dr. Robert Roleda refers to as a “justification letter”.

“The essay will help the council decide on what to do moving forward, to know if the ID 120 and ID 121 students’ reasons are valid enough to grant them school IDs or a call to shift to other alternatives is needed instead,” Roleda furthers.

While plans are still being formulated, students are being encouraged by the University Student Government to respond to the survey and comply with the “justification letter” to help the University know the ID 120 and ID 121 students’ pulse on the matter at hand.

‘Go big or go home’

For the meantime, ID 120 and 121 students physically visiting the campus for their HyFlex classes are advised to present their laminated EAFs to the security guards.

“In the absence of physical IDs, the students must present their EAFs instead. Also, their EAFs must be laminated to mimic the original IDs, along with any DLSU affiliated lanyards,” comments Aidee Kho, a DLSU Campus Services Innovations representative. “The laminated EAFs must also be worn around the neck at all times while within the campus.”

In such a setup, only worn and laminated EAFs will be accepted as required paraphernalia when entering campuses and participating in HyFlex classes.

According to Kho, the office acknowledges that the EAF would be unnecessarily huge as an accessory hanging from students’ necks but justifies, “Go big or go home, diba?”

She adds that the University is also studying the feasibility of implementing a campus entry fee system for students without physical IDs, should their distribution be late. A P500 campus entry fee will be paid upfront before entering the campus or added to the students’ miscellaneous fees if they intend to go to the campus for more than one week. 

“The entry fee will cover the University’s expenses for utilities, maintaining CarSys, and the ID system. Students should know that it is separate from the termly miscellaneous fees.” Kho explains.

“They shouldn’t worry about the P500 campus entry fee, it will only apply to those who would visit the campus,” Kho adds.

Necessary compromises 

While students do not have their school IDs yet, they have to use other means to be recognized as Lasallians—even outside campuses.

Cousins, Eduardo Pal (I, MGT) and Kyle Pal (I, MGT), have been returning to bars as the country eases lockdown measures. “[Hindi] ako pinapasok sa Xylo or kahit Almacen sa Pobla, wala raw akong ID, binigay ko na lang laminated EAF ko. Ayaw pa rin [ng mga bouncers],”  E. Pal expresses, illustrating the situations students face while lacking school IDs to present.

(I wasn’t allowed to enter Xylo or even Almacen in Pobla because I did not have an ID to present, so I gave my laminated EAF instead. But the bouncers still declined.) 

On the other hand, students cite how “behind” they are in terms of providing proof of identification. “Nahuli kami ng girlfriend ko na nag-[redacted] Tinanong kami [ng security] kung nasaan ID namin pero dahil wala–binigay ko nalang EAF ko,” recalls Sandro Sotto (II, AEF). “May ID [girlfriend ko] eh, buti na lang may ID na sila sa Ateneo dahil mas mabilis ‘ata sila  kumilos.” 

(My girlfriend and I were caught [redacted]. The guard asked us where our IDs were but since I had none, I presented my EAF instead. Luckily though, my girlfriend had her ID since they already have their IDs at Ateneo, maybe because they act faster.) 

As the bastion of issue-oriented critical thinking, The LaSallian proceeded with a pressing follow-up question, “Saan kayo nahuli?” 

“Sa Manila Bay parking lot–‘yung bandang Vikings.” 

(Around the Manila Bay parking lot–the one beside Vikings.)

Another student chose to be creative with his resources, “Nawala ko lisensya ko, [gusto] kong bumili ng yosi, pero dahil wala akong ID pinakita ko na lang GCash information ko. ‘Di ko naman lagi hawak passport ko.

(I lost my driver’s license. I wanted to buy cigarettes but since I didn’t have a valid ID, I presented my GCash information instead. It’s not like I always have my passport with me.) 

“What are the other purposes of an ID?”

The student replied, “Bar, malamang, pero dala-dala ko passport ko? Mawawala talaga ‘yun. Tapos, kung nahuli kang nag-[redacted], pakita mo nalang school ID mo. University pride. 

(The bar, of course, but bringing my passport? It really will get lost. Also, if you get caught doing [redacted] just show your school ID. University pride.) 

On the other hand, there are those that see a silver lining of not having an ID. Another student that chose to remain anonymous shares, “Nung may curfew pa, nahuli kami ng tropa ko, buti nalang wala kaming binigay na ID kasi wala naman kaming hawak. Tumakbo na lang kami. Salamat, DLSU.”

(When curfew was still imposed in our place, my friend and I got caught. Luckily, we didn’t have an ID to present since we didn’t have one so we just ran away. Thanks, DLSU.) 

Currently, two-thirds of the student population still do not have their physical IDs. Following the current pace of processing, younger batches might have to wait for at least another six months for a new update regarding the guidelines on physical IDs’ distribution. For now, they will have to start writing their 1,000-word justification letter, wear laminated EAFs around their necks while on campus, and anticipate the possible P500 campus entry fee.