Another chapter

By Ren Angelo Elevera
(Vol. XXVII No. 17, Editorial Cartoon)

Another chapter

The campus is again jam-packed with students rushing for their classes, or if not, finishing the last touches of the tiring enrollment. Classes are shortened and it seems like everyone is already at the height of the preparations for the 82nd Founders Anniversary Celebration of the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU). These and all, are implications that the first semester is now a part of the history, and a new chapter of our student life is unfolding. Indeed, time can spin almost unnoticed that here we are embracing this new chapter.

Looking back, the first semester had been a period of another transformation for NORSU in its quest to live up as a dynamic higher-education institution of preference in the Visayas and Mindanao. It was remarkable that the university tried to step a notch higher in that period of time by making big ventures. There was the offering of Doctor of Dental Medicine under the umbrella of College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences (now College of Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Allied Health Sciences or CNDPAHS). The university also introduced BS Mining Engineering, but due to its few enrollees caused by lack of advertisement, it was temporarily set aside and will, perhaps, be offered in full swing next school year.

More than the offering of the new courses, the biggest step that the university had taken in the first semester was the opening of another satellite campus which is the NORSU-Mabinay Campus. With 349 student population and two rooms, the campus offered courses in criminology, agriculture, forestry, and industrial technology to the poor but deserving students of Mabinay and its neighboring places.

In terms of facilities and equipment, NORSU also leveled up. The mock ship for the College of Maritime Education students was finally furnished and was launched for students’ practical hands-on; the ground floor of the CNDPAHS Building was opened for students’ use; as well as, various beautification projects were made inside the university making it more presentable compared to its previous look.

Last semester, Norsunians also continued to shine, showing who and what kind of students this university has. Jessie James Lasconia, a BS Geology graduate of this institution, ranked 9th in the August 2009 Geologist Licensure (Board) Examination – proving that although the Geology Department of NORSU obviously lacks equipment and facilities, Norsunians can always do more with less. Before the first semester ended, Dan Jerome Saycon Barrera, a graduate of NORSU Bais Campuses, ranked 3rd in the September 2009 Criminology Licensure Examination – living proof that Norsunians, regardless of what campus, are competitive.

The part of the history of this institution weaved during the first semester in indubitably healthy – NORSU, as a university, continued to seek for improvement. Norsunians, as the products of this institution, also continued to shine.

As the second semester began, may the whole Norsunian community work together to give this chapter of NORSU’s history colorful and healthy pages. As another chapter unfolds, may everyone continue to do more with less, and exert industry and hard work for productivity.
This second semester: Level up NORSU! Shine Norsunians!