STUDENT groups at the University of the East on Monday condemned the school’s  decision to dissolve four sports teams and fully remove the scholarship grants of student-athletes.

The affected athletes are from taekwondo, chess, softball, and weightlifting teams.

Redwire, the school’s publication, reported that the decrease in the number of enrollees and low performance in UAAP were the reasons given by UE officials in dissolving the teams.

The University Student Council and Central Student Council stressed that the athletes will have a hard time transferring to another school or find means to enroll for this school year.

“For years, student-athletes have dedicated time and effort to represent the University in different fields. It is disheartening that after years of hard work and sacrifices, they have become the mere consequence of cost-cutting measures,” the councils said in a letter to UE President Ester Garcia.

“The abrupt decision affected their financial capacity and well-being considering that they are only given limited time to pay their dues,” they added.

The groups asked the university to reconsider its decision or postpone its effectivity.

“Like all other scholars, these students have great potential and aspirations. We hope that you give utmost consideration and compassion to these athletes, especially the seniors, for they only have a year left to finish their studies,” they said.