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!
