By: Jetaime Kaina Cerbito
Photo by: Maverick Rhoy De Vera /The LANCE
As part of the Letran Student Council’s (LSC) efforts for transparency and accountability, the organization hosted its first State of the Students Address (SOSA), on Jan. 28 at the Student Center Auditorium, tackling successful initiatives and action plans for Academic Year 2024-2025.
The LSC invited students from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), College of Education (COED), College of Engineering and Information Technology (CEIT), College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA), and student representatives from Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) for the address.
In her opening remarks, LSC Vice President Alecks Gallardo highlighted the organization’s commitment to ‘participatory governance’, urging Letranites to actively engage and voice their opinions to better address student needs.
“This Council, in essence, is an extension of your voices, your aspirations, and your concerns. We are your representatives, elected to serve your interests and advocate for a better academic experience,” Gallardo stated.
Meanwhile, LSC President Kodi Cabacang addressed the Council’s successful initiatives and campaigns for the current Academic Year, starting with the Student Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Committee’s activities and efforts in collating student concerns.
On Jan. 23, the Council obtained a resolution from a petition regarding the Hair Length Policy, and while the policy remains in place, students may request an exemption endorsed by the Director or Officer-In-Charge of the Department of Student Affairs (DSA) to the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA).
Cabacang also discussed plans for revamping the automatic response system of the LSC Facebook page to expedite replies to inquiries and concerns by students in the platform, as well as conducting comprehensive investigations of classroom facilities and equipment, referred to the Auxiliary Services Department (ASD) for necessary repairs and maintenance.
The President shared ‘one of the major projects the Council will undertake this Academic Year,’ pertaining to plans for revitalizing the CEIT Library as part of its initiative to increase ‘student-friendly’ spaces in the Colegio, following the establishment of the Knights Hub earlier this year.
Cabacang assured that the Council, represented by the Digital Arts Senator and the Information Technology representative, is already in talks with the Chief Librarian and ASD for details such as adding comfortable seating, increasing access to technological resources, and creating separate spaces for group discussions and studying.
“...we have made sure that each and every project the Council has [created] this Academic Year is rooted in the hope of creating a progressive and student-centered Letran,” Cabacang shared.
To bolster its efforts in collating responses, the LSC encourages the student body to share their concerns and inquiries with the newly established Kaagapay Mailbox (KMB) located at the second floor of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu building.