By: Thea Divina, Jetaime Kaina Cerbito
The Vice President for Academic Affairs and OIC of the CLAS Department, Prof. Danilo K. Villena, PhD met with students alongside program heads, faculty, and students in regards to sweeping changes across the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Photo courtesy of Ram Christian Campos of The LANCE.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) held its general assembly called by Prof. Danilo K. Villena PhD, Officer-in-Charge of the CLAS department and Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) to discuss new academic policies, upcoming departmental activities, and pressing student concerns last Thursday, February 22 at the SC Auditorium.
Each area of the CLAS department consisting of the Political and Legal Studies (PALS), Institute of Communication (ICOMM) and Psychology Program introduced their upcoming co-curricular activities for their students.
Asst. Prof. John Michael Ramirez, chairperson of PALS announced the outline of their events involving PractiCon, and PALS lecture series.
The ICOMM area, led by newly appointed chairperson Inst. Lesther Anthony Mendoza, is again set to join this year’s pool of ceremonies and competitions, including the Student Quill Awards 2024, The Catholic Mass Media Awards 2024, the Manila Film Festival 2024, Campus Tour and Seminar Workshop, 18th UP CommBroadSoc Gandingan Awards, Sine Kabataan Short Film Lab and Festival 2024, PUP Radio Conference 2024, and PUP Radio Festival 2024.
The Psychology area under Inst. Pauline Ronquillo-Andres highlighted the Qualifying Examination for incoming first year students and supplemental classes for graduating psychology students as a preparation for the upcoming Psychometrician Licensure Examination.
New Academic Policies
Deep into the CLAS gathering, Prof. Villena informed the studentry of the new academic policies for the Criteria for Honors, Distinctions, Awards and Scholarships which are also included in the student handbook.
Dean’s Lister qualifications for students who entered academic year 2022 and 2023 must carry a regular load, a General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 92% per semester/year, have no grade lower than 88% in any course in the preceding semester, have no withdrawn/dropped subjects, INC, and any disciplinary action prior to the semester.
Students qualified for the Dean's List shall receive tuition discounts corresponding to the weighted average (WA) for the semester/year. First Honors with a WA of 98-100 shall have 100% discount, Second Honors with a WA of 95-97.99 shall receive 70% discount, and Third Honors with a WA of 92-94.99 shall have 40% discount on tuition.
For Latin Honors, students with a GWA of 98-100 shall be awarded Summa Cum Laude, 95-97.99 for Magna Cum Laude, and 92-94.99 for Cum Laude with no grades below 88 on any course.
Pressing Student Concerns
The declaration of the new academic policies raised crucial questions from the students along with other institutional concerns, which was talked about during the assembly’s open forum.
A student concerned about the Latin Honors qualification asked if one can still be eligible if he or she has a GWA that is above 90 but received a grade of 85 in one subject to which the VPAA responded that the situation would have to be further examined as they further review the policies.
VPAA Villena also stated the possibility of the student’s qualification for the academic distinction given the consideration of his or her academic record even with the new academic policies.
“The policy on Latin Honors [still] remain actually, because it is part of the VPAA memorandum issued in the past years. So, maybe we will have to look into [it] again, into the policy as we review all the policies. Kasi last year, the Latin honors should have a general weighted average of 90 and above with no grades below 88. The situation mentioned is with a grade of 85 right? I don’t know, but he or she may be qualified for the academic distinction,” VPAA Villena answered.
The VPAA further reiterated that the Colegio’s policies are based on the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) memorandum orders circulars and policies of other authorities in the government hence the computation of grades for honors are based on the curriculum and not on a specific subject.
He also added the possibility of adding recognition certificates for major subjects due to a student’s excellence in a particular area of discipline. However, it is yet to be discussed in the academic division meeting, but without guarantee of it being granted.
Apart from student academic recognition, lack of functioning amenities, such as broken air conditioners, age-old chairs with nails sticking out, as well as outdated facilities, especially in the ICOMM studios and laboratories were also mentioned.
ICOMM chair Lesther Anthony Mendoza responded that their office is doing their best to expedite the issue on outdated ICOMM facilities and such matters are on their list of priorities.
On the other hand, VPAA Villena clarified the monitoring of the Colegio’s facilities are under the supervision of the Vice President for Financial Affairs (VPFA). He also urged the students to raise any other issues to the attention of the faculty and the faculty will make the necessary arrangements with the dean.
The VPAA further commented on the student’s responsibility to act upon doing something towards fixing broken school amenities.
“So kayo din, bilang estudyante kapag may napansin kayo katulad niyan may pako, may turnilyo, bunutin niyo na. Diba, kasi kung responsible ka dun nakita mo yung turnilyo, makaka dangerous pa ‘yun sa iba, sa akin bubunutin ko na ‘yun. We have to be responsible although you are paying [for] your tuition [it] doesn’t necessarily mean you cannot do anything on your own, for [the] safety and protection of everyone,” VPAA Villena said.
Students React to GA Discussion
Following the exchange of queries and responses within the CLAS department, students further gave feedback regarding their experience and outcome of the departmental assembly in an interview with The LANCE.
First-year Legal Management student Kurt Declaro commented on how the general assembly progressed in addressing the important issues in their year level
“Na-bring out naman po talaga ‘yong mga pinaka pressing issues na talagang gusto po namin bilang estudyante, bilang first year, na madiscuss ng mga prof. at saka ng mga faculty and so far, may progress naman po ayon sa mga sagot ng mga faculty,” Declaro said.
Psychology student, Jamella Patricio, said it was an interesting experience. However, she disagreed on the effectiveness of the assembly’s discussion, stating their “voices were not sufficiently acknowledged.”
“Following the exchange of discussions between students and the Academic Affairs division, the question persists — did we feel heard? As a psychology student, I find that our voices were not sufficiently acknowledged. Despite raising concerns regarding the scarcity of assessments and materials, as well as the cohesiveness of the Psychology Laboratories (PLAB), we did not receive concrete resolutions to these pressing matters,” Patricio commented.
In addition, she strongly urged the VPAA and the Academic Affairs division “to give earnest consideration to the issues voiced during the CLAS General Assembly.” She further noted the necessity of the Colegio’s authorities to uphold their responsibility in providing the high-quality education the students rightfully deserve, especially considering the substantial amount of money they pay for such purpose.
For Communication student Carlo Gula, he also shared his dismay on how the VPAA answered their questions.
He further described the VPAA’s approach to the student’s question regarding the issue of defective equipment and facilities as not professional and not direct to the point.
“Hindi ko rin nagustuhan kung paano niya inapproach yung question. As an academic administrator dapat professional sumagot dapat direct to the point. You'll make yourself seem professional however during that time we didn't see that kind of person. Siguro gusto ni VPAA na maging approachable in some sense, however hindi siya nag work out doon sa pagsagot ng tanong na yon,” Gula stated.
“Yun lang talaga yung gusto kong masagot eh, may plano ba? Ano na yung nangyayari sa plano? Para mabigyang linaw din yung mga pangangailangan ng estudyante. Kasi for the longest time hindi pa rin sya nabibigyan ng tamang sagot and tamang aksyon para doon sa concern at hinanaing ng mga estudyante. Nararapat lamang na bigyan tugon yung mga hinaing natin na lalo'ng lalo na doon sa mga facility na makakaapekto sa ating academic standing, on how we execute our performance tasks, our OBEs. Hindi naman natin mafufulfill yun lahat [like] me as a COMM student if wala kaming maayos na instruments sa loob ng aming studio,” Gula added.
Other concerns raised to the CLAS faculty during the general assembly’s open forum have been assured to be raised to proper offices and administrations.
Asst. Prof. Franz Jude Abelgas stated the Letran Student Council (LSC) also has an on-going movement regarding student concerns on tuition, facilities, and academic policies and will soon provide a clearer answer and resolution for the students.