Vague policies

By Arvin V. Rodriguez

(Vol. XXVIII No. 3, Editorial Cartoon)

Vague policies

Many rules and policies of Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) have been discussed and debated by most students, faculty members, and other staff many times already, and even the outside-of-the-campus community has participated in the discussion, took different actions, and questioned the indifferent moves and sanctions of the university administration and authorities. But of all the parties concerned, students are constantly the vulnerable ones to inconsistent and prejudicial implementations of such school regulations.

Most Norsunians are relatively annoyed with the confusing [past and current] policies of the school. Some of these policies are enforced without giving the students enough information – leaving students hanging and defenseless on what to do.

Like the case of the proper dressing attire policy, it drew adverse reactions from the NORSU community especially the students. The confiscation of IDs for renewal and the bag inspection from the security department have also earned different impressions not just from Norsunians but the local community as well. It was and never been announced to students that such rules will be implemented. There weren’t even posted announcements.

The security personnel claimed that they were tasked to execute certain policies directed from the administration. However, the confiscation of IDs was not directed from the administration but merely the idea of the chief security officer that made students asking “why”.

According to the student handbook, no one of any authority can confiscate any personal belonging of the students. Then and there, there is already a manifestation of abridging the right of the students. Is the execution of the policy helped the students to acquire a new ID though they have the choice to have it renewed or not? It might also be a good idea that students will no longer pay for renewing of IDs.

Yes, the chief security is correct with his reason that it is for the students to avail of the renewal of IDs since they are paying that every school year that’s why he confiscated the IDs. On the other hand, the Students Affairs Office who is in charge in facilitating the renewal of IDs is defending students.

It also upholds the right of the students to whether obtain a new ID or not. If that’s the case, why are students paying it every school year when in fact they are given the option? It might as well be a good idea that students will only pay if they wanted a new ID.

Meanwhile, Norsunians have also abided the policy on the random bag inspection. Security personnel will check bags if there are food and all related stuff inside of which are not permitted to be taken inside. For what reason? Cleanliness – was the main rational.

The administration assumed that students will only litter the plastic wrappers that were accumulated with the food anywhere inside the school premises. So if students will buy foods inside, will they not litter it anywhere in the campus? Will they politely throw it in the garbage can? How will that be sure? Some will perhaps, but students are just students.

To some extent, the administration has the point. However, if students could no longer avail of the costly meals in the cafeteria or the food court, do they have no right to bring a packed meal inside? It would sound too insensitive if they don’t have. The administration might as well provide food for the students if they will not permit bringing of such in the campus.

Such were some of the many confusing policies of NORSU that baffles the students at no end.

Strict but inconsistent

By Paul Anthony M. Eso

(Vol. XXVIII No. 2, Editorial Cartoon)

Strict but inconsistent

Another school year has opened, but still some of the many rules and regulations in Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) are still left unclear, not apparent, and even unapproved. Consequently, there were no consistent implementations of such policies from authorities concerned. As a result, the NORSU community has raised their eyebrows to the said personnel because of the way the policy is executed. There were even confrontations and misunderstandings between students and authorities.

One of the policies that gained most attention is the proper dressing attire. The Student Government of Dumaguete City I has revised the dress code for several times last school year. But with several revisions, the policy is still not yet approved until this very day. However, the security department of the university is implementing the previous policy.

The office of the security matters shared the dress code that provides the proper dressing attire with specifications addressing to all concerned that says “no wearing of short pants, sleeveless, spaghetti strap and tubes, slippers, sandals below two inches, and sando shirts; and third sex is not allowed to wear sandals, pedals, tube-top, and spaghetti strap blouses.”

The chief security officer once revealed in an interview last school year that the said policy will strictly be enforced not only to students but also to administrators, faculty members, and practically all the staff. The security department even clarified that the policy will have to be observed not only on weekdays but also on weekends excluding those who will have their clean-up drive.

The rule on the proper dressing attire is a little bit clear from the said point although the policy is not yet approved by the university administration. However, heating arguments between students and the security personnel and even between some bigwigs and the latter occasionally broke out.

The common cause of the dispute is that the concerned students and university staff are not following certain policies. But Norsunians reasoned out that the policy is not properly disseminated since there are no appropriate announcements posted.

Some of the security personnel also refuted that they are only following orders from the office of the security matters. If then the policy on the proper dressing attire is simply implemented without further squabble, it would just have been smooth sailing. However, there are university guards who were too harsh in the execution of such rule. They tend to frighten students from entering if they will not follow the policy. But is that how the policies are implemented?

There were other events that a security person allowed a student to enter the university premises even without following some of the rules while other students were not permitted. It only suggests that they were either considerate to people they know or they were simply careless on their work.

On the other hand, it would have been better if they could just simply ask the students to obey the rules calmly without hostility. But they simply brag themselves being the security personnel – a great authority that no one should ever violate. What a great power, but have they ever been responsible with their actions?

Moreover, university guards’ schedule varies from time to time, and it seems that some policies vary as well from one personnel to another. Were they ever told the same points from their superiors? Norsunians even noticed that there are some security personnel who were strict but inconsistent with the implementation of the rules.

Round up of changes

By Cheeno Luang

(Vol. XXVIII No. 1, Editorial Cartoon)

Apparently, most neophytes were too religious and excited to attend the first week of classes in Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) Main Campus I and II, and the System as a whole while many continuing and returning students did not even bother to set foot in class. Such are amongst the many noticeable episodes in the first few days of schooling in the institution. Aside from all of the first day blues and anticipations, there are other obvious sights and notable events that caught the attention of many students and even the community while producing different impressions and remarks.

One of the most noticeable sights in the university that dragged different reactions is the color red that is painted and highlighted on most buildings in the university. At first, it turned out to look awkward since the main colors of the buildings is believed to be based mainly from the NORSU hymn which is azure blue and lily white. The NORSU community felt anew given the idea that they are not used to the color red.

From the opening of the main gate will embrace colors white, blue, yellow, and red in the College of Law building when entering. University President Henry A. Sojor reasoned that said colors are actually based and inspired from the hue of the Philippine flag. However, Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Benjamin Valencia added that such were based in an old Chinese belief that color red is a sign of good luck and fortune.

But were those hues appropriate colors for a school building? Anyhow, no matter how colorful the buildings will be, what is more important is the promise of the acquisition of knowledge that the institution will provide to its students. Alongside the changes of the institution is the new enrollment system. It was first put into implementation this semester with College of Industrial Technology (CIT) as pilot college. The end result was claimed to be a success since long queues were lessened because encoding of subjects was done in the said college.

The plan was supposedly a departmental enrollment system where encoding will be done this time in the respective colleges. But requirements like computers, sufficient manpower, and proper venue were not met by most colleges that was why the first plan was cancelled. Inquiries were raised: What happened to the many computers promised to be bought? Why not mobilize the many students and other faculty and staff for the manpower? Why not utilize vacant spaces of the respective colleges’ buildings? These are only queries that need to be answered and at a point a suggestion for the concerned officials to do something. The only thing that remains is the hope that the departmental enrollment system will aid the longtime problem of queuing.

Another transformation of NORSU is the changing of the name of then College of Technology Education (CTE) now to College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM). Together with the new name of the college is the transfer of courses – BS Tourism from the College of Arts and Sciences is now part of the CTHM programs while then CTE technology courses namely Bachelor of Technology Education, BS Aviation Maintenance, and Diploma of Technology are now moved to the CIT. According to Sojor, the transfer of courses was set so that concerned colleges can offer relevant programs. He continued that this will also help students acquire better skills since facilities and equipment of courses are available at the new assigned college.

If transferring of courses can provide students better acquirement of knowledge and skills, why is it that some of the technology students from then CTE now CTHM are already having problems that include difficulty in room assignment, conflict in subject schedules, and professors to teach their major subjects? It might as well be a good move if the administration had prepared some plans before implementing such action.

However, some of the many changes in the university are worth-praising and commendable. These items might have negative effects, as expected in every new implementation; but there are still positive outcomes as well. What matters most is how these changes are being held, handled, and addressed properly. More to go with round up of changes!