For weeks, I refused to comment on the issue since I have not heard all the angles of the story. I tried to reserve my comments until the Medicine Student Council (MSC) or the USTFMS administration releases an official statement. But alas! Until now, I haven’t heard of a formal explanation that would allow me to comment using thorough information. The MSC, which had the primary responsibility of informing the students, have devolved the functions to the class officers. I have talked to an officer of the MSC and he said that this was done so that the class officers can address the queries/comments instantaneously. While he raised a valid point, I do believe that the MSC should have still released an official statement to (1) keep the students informed, (2) eliminate variability in the information disseminated, and (3) encourage active participation of the students in the discussion. I would appreciate it if the MSC informed the students of the steps that are being undertaken to address the issue and the progress of the “student consultation”. As of this moment, an MSC officer informed me that a “resolution” was already submitted to the Office of the Dean to follow the original schedule.
I also do not understand why some students encourage others not to comment on the issue for the reason that its implementation still not confirmed. But when will be the right time for students to react on the issue? When everything is final and executory? When the students have no chance of their opinions being heard? There is a clear difference between spreading unverified rumors and spreading a spark of awareness on the issue, and on this case, the issue is already being discussed and the only thing missing is the final decision. People are yearning for an explanation so that they could understand the issue. Suppressing students’ opinion on social media hinders awareness and possible collective action from students.
From what I have been hearing, the academic calendar is being reverted so that the junior interns can still apply for senior internship slots in hospitals of which application period does not coincide well with UST’s current academic school year. This is an understandable point but I say this issue could have been a preventable one. This was a lack of foresight from the administration. An academic calendar was released at the start of the academic year but why is the issue only being discussed now? If the admin already saw that there will be issues with the academic calendar shift, they should have not followed it in the first place.
The issue apparently raises some issues to students since a number of students have already booked local and international flights after the last day of classes. Students will either resort to rescheduling flights (would be very costly) or cancel the whole trip altogether. There had been some stories that the administration is considering a “No quiz policy” solution to give way for those with flights. But this is far from a solution! Neither would it be pro-student. The student will still be the one to miss classroom activities and later on suffer from quizzes once they get back because of those missed lectures. For sure, the quality education that they are due will be compromised. Talo parin ang estudyante.
Another issue, which may not be a concern of the majority, would be the enrollment itself. Considering that the students have just paid matriculation for the finals, is it compassionate for parents to enroll their child for the second semester and shell out another hundred thousand pesos at this time of the year? I have heard that there is a compromise that even though classes will start by November 24, enrollment would still follow the same schedule which is on December 4. However, this still shortens the time for students to enroll since they have to be enrolled by December 4 since classes are already ongoing. I hope they extend the enrollment period until the supposed 1st day of classes, which is on January 5.
I pray that the UST Medicine students act collectively so that our opinion may be considered, for MSC to continue to live up to the title student representatives who would lobby the rights of the students, and for the administration to work out a solution that would benefit all.
Really nice article. I especially agree with the part about the very inefficient information dissemination by both SC and Admin. I asked if there was an OFFICIAL STATEMENT regarding the issue, one that is printed and one that covers ALL of the issues and proposed resolutions. And so we can REFERENCE it when discussing the issue. Instead we were given a meeting, where officers of each class and whoever attended will disseminate the info (which was full of "parang ganito" "something something" "yata"). Very irresponsible.
ReplyDeleteAlso the statement about not discussing the issue until we have a final decision or until details are confirmed. Until now nothing has been truly confirmed without an official statement from anyone. I still don't know crap about anything haha And they say the final decision will be on Nov 11. smh And you say a resolution has been passed, what is that resolution? Again another example of a draconian culture rearing its head. They just decide things willy nilly, pass it around and call it a day.
Then don't get me started on the admin's proposed solution if the schedule is compressed.
It was nice they made some steps to include us though, in a way. But really it was such a messy issue and it could have been handled better. I find it funny though that just a few hours after the start of the rumor and people having strong opinions, a lot of people suddenly went all "ok na ko sa walang sembreak basta a few days break pwede na" or "wala na magagawa eh". There is a much deeper problem going on.
I am not a class officer so I didn't know how they conducted the meeting and/or student consultation so I can't really comment. Based form what's happening, someone have got to take accountability in whatever that is happening. I don't want to witness a session of pointing fingers. Actually, ako rin, it seems wala narin akong alam sa nangyayari. Puro lang sabi ni ganito, sabi ni ganyan.
DeleteAnother issue is student empowerment. I think we've just been accustomed to accept whatever the ones in power say. Questioning is not that well accepted but at least we're getting some progress with having a student consultation.
You really can't comment? So, this is not a comment, is that what you are saying?
DeleteI was referring to how the meeting was conducted when I said I can't comment.
Delete#maymasabilang
ReplyDeleteHi RJ! I hope you are brave enough to show this article to the admin of the UST-FMS and MSC. Walk the talk.
ReplyDeleteAlready showed it to an officer of the MSC. I like to leave it best to the their discretion if they will be showing this to the admin since they are the ones directly involved in the student consultation.
DeleteI hope it was written in formal writing, not the URL of this page :)
DeleteGinusto natin mag-Med RJ. If the tuition fee is your concern, maybe the admin might be considerate enough to compromise. Pero kung pahinga ang hanap mo, wala namang pumipilit sayong pumasok. And if you want, other med school is open for you :) And "flight schedules"? Which is more important, their/your vacation or their/your education? And do you think this is not beneficial for you when we become Junior Interns who would be applying for Senior Internship? I wish that you would also see the bright side of this issue because the admin of the UST-FMS wants nothing but only the best for us.
ReplyDeleteProps to you for actually having the guts to post this despite the risk of a backlash from some people or even the faculty itself. Always aspire to be heard. People will always have a tendency to either support you or bring you down. I'm behind you on this one though that's for sure. The thing about the issue is that the school itself has forseen this problem before the implementation of the said movement of the start of classes this school year and despite that decided to push for it even though there remained an uncertainty based on the fact that they we're apparently trying to resolve things at same time as that. Basically, things shouldh've been worked out first before they even made the move or atleast they shouldh've informed us students and even the faculty(professors) that a possibility like this existed beforehand to atleast prepare us as we entered the school year. That way we couldhve prepared for this scenario instead of being caught by surprise of it when it was announced just a few weeks before the expected sembreak was to occur. Lets face it. No one likes their plans broken. The semestral break exists for a variety of reasons and its not for mere pleasure alone. Most of us, see it as an opportunity to rest, recuperate from the semesters stress before heading out to face a new one the coming year. Much like a soldier prepares for one battle before heading out to the next. The timing as well was really off. I mean who in his right mind would announce it as late as that?. It feels like we were about to reach our little finish lines when it was abruptly not to metion rudely taken from us. Being a post graduate facility/course, I expected much more from the faculty or atmost of the school. There are alot more issues left unaddressed like international trips for students from other countries and from the philippines as well who have already booked and paid for their flights in advance, enrollment issues and more that shouldh've been accounted for but were left at the sidelines. All these ramblings now may feel useless because the peace has already been restored as the issue has already been addressed but still if nothing else, this issue has shown or given us a glimpse of how even at being at the peak of its game and despite having that level of excellence granted to the faculty, there is still room for ALOT more much needed improvement. The school schould work on that. Also we are not sheep, we are human beings capable of reason, who have rights and opinions about things especially regarding those that affect us. Plus we paid dor our spots in the school. We worked our asses to get here, this was not a mere grant for us but an opportunity we worked hard to achieve and deserve and all that counts for something. To merely shove us around, silence us and expect us to follow blindly like sheep based on decisions which we don't necessarily agree to is uncalled for. We deserve to be treated better because honestly we have the right to it. Being a Catholic university should also attest to that and not against it. PS for RJ Don't let this get into your head but I seriously find you attractive. I'd steal a kiss if it was possible or maybe not, unless you catch my drift and also swing that way. Haha. See you around school. I'll always be watching. - Your secret admirer. Batch2017nomore
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