Campus Politics Memo Points

I’ve realized that the students actually have tremendous influence in the different school boards and committees. If we have just ordered our top agendas and consistently lobby it to the administrators with the right people and reason, certain policy dents may happen that improve students’ welfare in general. I was part of the Awards and Recognition Committee, and I saw how the chairperson really values students’ opinion. We will change the percentage sharing in the selection of the class valedictorian from 50-50 to 40-60 which gives heavier bearing on involvement. We also included an interview portion to verify the candidates’ depth of understanding of his/her Jesuit Education aside from the scripted and well prepared speech. Making significant influence is another story but the conducive atmosphere is present. One good result of this was the actual allocation of a Php 5,000 operational capital of all extra-curricular organization. This is a breakthrough and a product of cordial and well supported lobbying.

The idea of student oppression has been reduced as a political tool or a sort of leverage employed by far left groups to incite sympathy and animosity among some vulnerable sectors of the student body towards the administration thus gaining some “patriotic” or “maki-baka” votes. With my interactions with other student leaders, I have come to realize that we are by far the most liberal in terms of student government autonomy in the entire region. I guess responsibility is primarily the priority with this given freedom. Still, we need to be vigilant on certain actions taken by higher powers that may infringe our rights stipulated in the Magna Carta.

Tactful partnership with the Administration I believe is still the best policy in solving common challenges such as quality education and student services. If by consensus, the representatives of the student body deems that the administration is or has caused the problem, diplomatic bi-lateral talks supported by written facts testimonies, and alternatives is still the best and the most Atenean way of getting our point across.

Political Parties should be encouraged in the University so students can learn and appreciate the value of critical thinking, social analysis and political action.

I recommend that all of the new university clusters (eg Research and Outreach Cluster, Mission and Ministry Cluster) should include one student representative in their general board meetings. I believe this new line can open great opportunities of cooperation, collaboration and communication.

Students who observe inconsistencies or “injustices” by our hardworking security guards should report it directly to the security office so corrective action could be made. From there, certain procedures should be followed.

All who undergo the Freshmen Formation Program should touch and understand the topic on the Magna Carta of Students’ Rights and Responsibilities. It should be part of their formation curricula. [Which had been acted upon by the 15th Directorate]

With intelligent and reasonable analysis you deem your teacher inadequate or has grossly violated your rights, do not hesitate to talk to him/her first. Or go the other way of reporting it to the OSA if the gravity is deemed heavy or employ a student mediator from the Xavier Students’ Action Center to help you process the case. [Which had been acted upon by the 15th Directorate]

The College Councils in essence should be basically responsible for injecting the spunk based on their college culture in student life since they have the direct authority over the student base. The Central Student Government on the other hand is challenged to make “governance” a popular and cool practice. Use plurk.