The Significance of the Virgule (/)

Some people call it a slash but in grammar class, I learned that its formal name is a virgule.

A slash/virgule is used by people to signify an alternative answer. Alternative is defined as that may be chosen in place of something else (at least that's how the dictionary at home defines it). So if a note on your transcript says 6 units English/Filipino, it would mean that you can take either 6 units of English subjects or 6 units of Filipino subjects, right? At least for most people.

Apparently, for the people at the dean's office and the registrar's office, a virgule signifies the conjunction "and" when it could easily be misconstrued as "or."

This morning, I went to school to get my exam permit. So there I was thinking it would be a breeze then the accounting person says, "You have to see the registrar first." So I go and see the clerk who tells me I am deficient. No, not mentally deficient. I lack 6 units of Filipino subjects. What the *^&$#?!? I tried to explain that the slash/virgule could be easily misinterpreted as "or" and that they should have clarified it. And that the list of students and the subjects they lacked only stated that I needed 6 units worth of English subjects (which I finished two years ago I might add). But no... they said that I should know better because I'm already a third year law student. Then how come I've never even heard of this rule? How come I've heard all the rules, written and unwritten and the ways to get around them but not this one? I have received three warnings that I had to complete my deficiency in English subjects and I have even submitted a promissory letter to the registrar in 2004 that I will complete the deficiency in English units but they gave me no correction that I have to complete BOTH English and Filipino units. So I was bullied into signing another promissory note that I will take up the six units this summer or else I can't enroll next semester.

I have this crazy theory that this is all a scheme so that they'll have tons of students who'll have to take the units this summer which means tons of profits. But I promise, whatever happens I will choose the most obscure school over this institution this summer out of spite.

Now, all I have to do is to get this out of my system so I can finally study in peace. I still have an exam on Monday. Then maybe after that, I can shove that virgule up their a**es/bottoms.