By Kayel Salvador | August 03, 2024
Last July 12, 2024, the College Student Council of the School of Arts and Sciences (CSC-SAS) released six (6) priority bills for the First Semester of the Academic Year 2024 – 2025 via their official Facebook page.
The council’s governor, Alexis Jan Delfin, proposed bills that aimed to address the welfare of students, accessibility and convenience of facilities and workplaces for student institutions, an anti-red tagging kit, and distinction awards for irregular students. Accordingly, these were submitted to the University Senate for further discussion and review in a hearing.
Specifically, the Priority Bills are the following: (1) Mental Health Breaks for the Students, (2) Mandatory Tutorial Sessions for Students Requiring Additional Support, (3) Enhanced Accessibility in Academic Facilities; Implementation of an Online Reservation System, (4) Establishing Individual Offices for Student Institutions, (5) Anti-Red Tagging Kit, and (6) Recognition and Award(s) for Academic Excellence Among Irregular Students.
In an interview with Delfin, she emphasized that these priority bills are designed inclusively for students, professors, and employees, to ensure that all needs of each demographic are catered to. She also expounded in the interview its plans once implemented and the doubts she encountered.
Furthermore, Delfin expressed concerns regarding Priority Bill No. 5 which deals with the protection of student journalists and media practitioners.
“Since walang existing, that I know of, before ko sinubmit to, chineck ko if there are arguments about it and then walang evaluation about them. So I can see na walang point of comparison if it will be successful or hindi.” Delfin explained.
Moreover, when asked about the applicability of the aforementioned bill, the council's governor admitted that she was unsure of its feasibility during her term. She reasoned that its process would be rigorous, on top of the other proposed bills they are also prioritizing.
Despite having plans for their priority bills, most of these are yet to be finalized. As of writing, the senate hearing has not yet transpired for the bills’ processing. Delfin also revealed her overachieving goals even with the uncertainties that are manifesting.
“These are not tangible [the bills]… Pero I'm a student before ako student leader. With that, alam ko kung paano mag-isip ang mga students at alam ko kung ano ang sinasabi ng mga students. For now, gusto ko na maachieve nito ay kampante ang mga students at excited sila to go to school, hindi yung parang pumapasok sila dahil kailangan nila.” Delfin mentioned.
The governor concluded by stating how additional initiatives from the administrations and students alike are important in achieving these goals.
Additionally, the Nexus interviewed a 2nd year BA Communication student, Matthew Ramoneda, to which he stated that he saw the potential of the proposed bills and deemed them necessary. He also expressed his suggestions to the council that there should be a proposed bill that requires the university to submit a financial statement.
“This would allow students and parents to be completely informed about how their tuition fees are being used outside of the details that are already presented in the receipt that they receive every semester,” Ramoneda explained.
Photos courtesy of CSC-SAS
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