Following an official University mandate, Far Eastern University (FEU) Medical Technology (MedTech) students raised concerns over the implementation of new scrub suit uniforms, taking effect for incoming third-year MedTech students this S.Y. 2025-2026.

In line with the implementation of the new scrub suit uniform for third-year MedTech students, many have questioned the necessity of the revision.

“As a second-year student who is getting ready for the next school year, I found the announcement honestly disappointing. Just when we were nearing the end of our [sophomore] year, they would then announce something that would completely catch the students off guard,” MedTech student Paul Christian Serdinio remarked in an interview with FEU Advocate.

In a separate interview, recently appointed MedTech Department Chair Kerfelcel Retoriano responded to Serdinio’s statement, stating that the change in uniform is in line with the previously approved University policy.

“The policy for the [new] scrub suit was [already] previously approved but there [were] no clear guidelines in regards to the color,” Retoriano mentioned.

Additionally, the said policy was released in the first semester of S.Y. 2024-2025 by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, requiring all preceding scrub suit uniforms to feature FEU’s official colors, green and gold.

The new guideline was first adapted for the scrub suit uniforms of Nursing students last academic year.

Retoriano justified that the revision of the scrub suit uniform is strictly in compliance with the University’s mandate, which he claimed will not hinder its primary purpose of ensuring the convenience of the students while performing laboratory work.

He also added that the change in scrub suits is not a pressing issue that the department is required to address immediately with regard to student and faculty feedback.

“Since this is not really a pressing issue right now, I don’t have any feedback galing sa students and faculty regarding kung bakit nag-change ng color,” he stated.

According to Retoriano, an alignment meeting between him and the FEU Medical Technology Society (MTSoc) will take place to address the students’ opinions on the steps to be taken with regard to the uniform revision.

In a survey posted by the organization last February 20, the concern regarding student opinion mentioned by Retoriano had already been carried out by MTSoc.

The organization urged MedTech students to participate in the survey ‘to ensure that the new scrub suits meet their preferences’ by choosing whether to retain or revise the design while adhering to the color changes.

Moreover, additional MedTech students expressed their dismay over the decision.

Third-year MedTech student Justin Kelly Alvaro shared his sentiments on the revision of the current blue scrub suit, which he sees as a unique attribute of upper-year MedTech students.

“A lot of the MedTech students are proud and happy to be able to wear and manifest the blue scrubs, because it's not just a uniform. It's a symbol of our hard work, many sleepless nights, the hardships, and a medal we proudly wear after the battery exam and [our] promotion to third year,” he said.

Contrary to this, MedTech sophomore Jonrywen Clairren Fullon shared that the current uniform is what sets them apart from students in other schools during internship.

“I believe that it is important that [FEU] MedTech students or interns have their own branding, so that it is easier for the affiliated schools to identify their students,” Fullon said.

Following this concern, Retoriano clarified that the use of University-issued scrub suits during their internships will still depend on the guidelines set by the hospital where the students plan to intern.  

“It depends on the hospital where they are assigned if they will allow [them to wear the University-issued scrub suit]. Because as much as possible, hospitals are avoiding identification that this is a student, so that the patient will not be confused [or refuse service],” he explained.

The interviewed MedTech students stated that they became aware of the scrub suit uniform revision only through MTSoc’s post last February 20.

Serdinio also added that the announcement of the scrub suit revision caught the students off guard and that aligning the new uniform with the University’s colors is unnecessary as it takes away the significant identity the students have already been associated with.

TBS on uniform revision

Meanwhile, the department chair stated that Tams Bookstore (TBS) will continue to offer the current scrub suit uniform until stocks run out, while the new uniform will be available for purchase in August to align with the start of the first semester next school year.

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, TBS Assistant Manager Magdalaine Fernandez addressed the issue concerning the possible price adjustment of the new scrub suit uniform for incoming third-year MedTech students.

“The newly introduced [green-and-gold] scrub suit is still in the canvassing phase. However, we want to assure you that any price adjustment compared to the previous model will be minimal, as we strive to maintain the current pricing structure,” Fernandez stated.

Although still in its evaluation phase, TBS aims to maintain the same price as the previous scrub suit, as well as the special dyed polycotton material used in the previous uniform.

The assistant manager also clarified that the new scrub suit uniform will be available exclusively at the bookstore due to the use of specially dyed fabric.

Fernandez stated that to maintain enough stock, they plan to provide a one-to-one ratio of the new scrub suit uniform for students, with additional inventory available by September. Given this, reservations will not be required.

With the new uniform already set for implementation in August, further discussions between the involved parties will be held to align on the University mandate and ensure a ‘seamless’ transition into the new scrub suit uniform.

- Art Santiago
(Illustration by Alexandra Lim/FEU Advocate; Photo by Thea Danielle Morin/FEU Advocate)