by: KRYSTEL NICOLE A. SEVILLA Due to the costly tuition fees nowadays, more and more students are having difficulties in attaining a college degree from excellent universities. In line with this, some hopes have sprung, determination and will have gotten stronger, and lines have become longer in the application for scholarships. |
One particular type of scholarship covers a student’s full tuition fee and provides them with monthly stipend in exchange for services they are supposed to render to the university within a number of hours. Students who avail this kind of scholarship are called, “working scholars.” They are our fellow students we usually see assisting in our offices, laboratories, and of course, our libraries—which will be the focus of this article.
Walking along the aisles of the library pushing carts loaded with books are these students, putting back used books, arranging them, reminding fellow students to remain silent, helping them locate books, and checking hundreds of identification cards of library users.
What do these working scholars get? They have their tuition fees paid to a full amount, get their monthly allowance and their good reputation from everyone familiar with what they do.
Aside from these, they also get glares, offensive remarks, and insulting snickers from students whom they offer their assistance to.
“Pssstttt…” This is a common line uttered by these working scholars in the library. Just a simple reminder with a little touch of reprimand for voices slightly raised and laughters a little amplified.
And the result? Mocking. Faces being made by the students. How interesting. Since when did they allow noise in the library?
“We paid for this, why can’t we use the library just because we do not have our IDs?” This is another common defense of some students who weren’t allowed to enter the library either because they don’t have their IDs with them, or their IDs weren’t validated. Some would even say, “ang mahal mahal ng tuition, tapos hindi makagamit ng library?”
It would be very nice to answer back and say that their money does not exempt them from the university rules. Yes, you paid your tuition fee. But as students, you are supposed to follow certain school policies and that includes the rules in the library. You are not supposed to eat. Keep quiet or keep your voices low when talking to each other. Present your validated IDs before you enter. It’s very, very, simple and if you’re responsible enough, this wouldn’t a problem.
Also, it’s unreasonable to get angry with the working scholars. They are just doing their jobs. Do not ignore them, as if you haven’t heard anything when they ask for your IDs. These students are taught to approach you firmly, but nicely, so you don’t have any reason to get irritated at them for something that is not their fault. Maybe you should apply what school has taught you for the past years and stop acting like you aren’t well-raised individuals.
Lastly, if you’re wondering what brought this on, I am a working scholar. I would just like to point out that aside from the benefits we get from our scholarship, a little respect from some students would be nice as well, especially when we have done nothing to not deserve it. We are all equals in the university, after all, despite the differences in the status of our lives.