Beyond Words

By Cheeno M. Luang

(Vol. XXVIX No. 12, Editorial Cartoon)

When pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao sets foot inside the ring for a battle, the Filipinos are glued to their television screens to witness the event that will once again create a remarkable history. Everyone would feel proud and would boast of how lucky we are as Filipinos.

That same joviality was felt by everyone inside the very core of Lamberto Macias Sports Complex on the 26th of September, 2011 when the Negros Oriental State University community has assembled to witness and support that phenomenal win over the defending champions, the Silliman Stallions.

We have seen how motivated the Tigers were with the every shout and cheer their fellow Norsunians made. They were filled with passion and inspiration. Because of that oneness, the team won the game and clinched the third spot for this year’s Governor’s Cup.

After so many years, we have once again proven our love for the sport and resembled a team of true-blue Norsunians. The feeling was just simply indescribable – we cheered, yelled, and clapped even until the very last seconds of the game.

At the same time, we have seen how sports could draw all people together. We saw students from the different colleges and departments of the university. We were theresome faculty, staff, and even the university president Dr. Henry Sojor himself. The game once again tied each and every one of us, enveloping us in a fortress of unity and nationalism.

With this, we can conclude that if we will support our athletes in all of their games, surely, winning a championship is close at hand. The move done by the NORSU community boosted the confidence of the Tigers, thus, making it easier for them to dribble, drive, and shoot the ball into the basket. Then, support is one of the essential ingredients that make an institution reach the pinnacle of success. We might not have been there yet, but surely, it is to come.

The Tigers have proven their worth; Tigers Chess and Taekwondo Teams have won gold medals in the national level several times for the past three years already. Recently, NORSU Tigers Basketball Team dismantled last year’s champion and held top three out of eight teams.

Now, the university administration should realize that these Tigers are also an asset of the institution. Training and molding a future national winner takes time and investment. Investment means giving scholarships to all of them, not just the winners but to all the new varsity members.

Every Tiger has a potential to win and all he or she needs is support. They need scholarships and they need the cheer and the yell of all the Norsunians out there.

Kudos Tigers!

Paralled Principles

By Paul Anthony M. Eso

(Vol. XXVIX No. 11, Editorial Cartoon)

Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) – Student Affairs Office (SAO) has been successful in their attempt of producing student identification cards (IDs) that is designed to last longer.

They have come up with something to replace the mere sticker at the back of the ID into one that is made of vinyl. They have at least asked for P50 for the vinyl-made validation sticker though not all students have this yet since they have not been fully distributed.

However, most of the guards do not seem to be aware of the delay in the distribution of the new IDs. It has been reported time and again that they bar students from entering the campus, or at least give those with old or temporary IDs a difficult time before they can enter the campus.

There is certainly a paralled principle between these two divisions.

First, to the SAO. From its name alone, we can already define that it is a safe haven for the students. They should, in the first place, coordinate with the Office of the Security Matters (OSM) on the delayed distribution of the new IDs.

Since they are supposed to cater the concerns of students, they should have considered even without the slightest provocation that there is a possibility for the students to be stopped at the gate if they use their temporary or old IDs. If the SAO cannot produce new student IDs yet, at least they should have informed the OSM for the latter to be guided properly.

Second is to the OSM. They are, after all, for the students’ security. But why do they have to bar the students from entering the campus, which will eventually make them miss their classes?

In the very first place, students are required to pay additional P50 for the validation stickers. So, who would not want to get and use what they have paid for? And who among them would not want to wear their IDs to school since they know this will surely bar them from entering the campus? Who in their right minds would like to argue with our guards?

Therefore, student appeals are valid. If they enter the school with temporary or old IDs, most likely it is because their IDs are not yet available.

The best remedy for this paralled policy is to have proper coordination between SAO and OSM. They should work hand in hand for their own established principles. They should meet and deliver a commendable performance and not merely do their job. They should be connected all the time.

With this, students would surely be protected and served by all means, and they would not have a hard time.

Overlooked

By Ranulfo D. Repe

(Vol. XXVIX No. 10, Editorial Cartoon)

The sun was up once again, and the university is back to life. Back are the students into their respective classrooms. Back are the teachers and faculty members into their offices. Back are the vendors into their stalls, and back are the construction workers into their humble roofless abode above the CIT premises.

With the every spark of their welding rod and with the every thump of their iron hammer, one can say that the construction is on its way to completion sooner or later. This is worth commending the administration. It is of no surprise that the university, we are so proud of, is slowly metamorphosing into a more beautiful institution, both in its physical appearance and in creating a great name of excellence in different career fields.

Sad to say, however, that with the serious attention the administration has given to its massive constructions, they may have overlooked the small and the simple. The ceilings of some classrooms need to be fixed. Some lights need to work. Some fans and electrical outlets need to function. And some classrooms lack chairs.

Would not it be better if we start with the small needs and focus on building new and costly projects later? It does not mean that we should put the latter a level lower than the former. There is nothing wrong with new constructions, just as long as the minor repairs and the little needs for a more conducive classroom are also given attention. Besides, these developments do not benefit a number of people only. Each and every Norsunian feels pride with a more beautiful and well-maintained campus.

It seems like someone in the administration has overlooked these little things. It is important that more attention should be given to it before these grow to be big problems.

But of course, this is our campus. Though it is expected that the administration lead in the maintenance of our facilities, we students will have to do what we can. Student Government of Dumaguete City I (SGDCI) President Angelo Nabalse has already made plans of fixing damaged doors, repaint rooms, put up additional stand and ceiling fans, and replace fluorescent lamps that are not functioning. He even promised that he will do it before the current semester ends. But words are cheap. We hope Nabalse’s are not.

We know that the administration will have to act to fix these little things. Now that the SG President has promised to also do something about it, Norsunians are hopeful that what we have now will not be overlooked in favor of what we will have in the future.

Defining Peace

By Arvin V. Rodriguez

(Vol. XXVIX No. 9, Editorial Cartoon)

Peace is a one syllable five letter word. It simply means the absence of conflict. But how does one define it for our brothers and sisters in Mindanao?

The 500-year old conflict between Christians and Muslims in Mindanao has not been resolved until now. Peace talks, treaties and other countless solutions aimed at ending this seemingly unending problem has been offered by the government, but to no avail. Some doomsayers proclaim the problem to be unsolvable.

However, some people and organizations are still hopeful that peace and unity will someday be achieved in Mindanao. The Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) is one of those trying to promote peace in Mindanao. They do it through signature campaigns, fun runs, symposia, and the like.

The main objective of the group is to stop the conflict between the Moro Islamic Civic Groups (MICG) and the Government Military troops which has resulted in unnecessary bloodshed. The group also strives to prevent civilians from being caught between the two opposing forces, something that have occurred countless times in the past and which have led to numerous fatalities.

Because or probably in connection with this never ending dispute in Mindanao, extrajudicial killings, kidnap for ransom, murder, and inhumane executions are just some of those reportedly committed by some rebel groups. Though whoever the perpetuators are, they can never be ascertained, it is crystal clear that this conflict has displaced and affected hundreds of thousands of our Mindanao brethren, especially the young ones.

It is really heartbreaking to see that this conflict has forced some of the youth in the affected areas to carry high caliber guns instead of school bags with pens, notebooks, and books in it, forced some very young children to beg and even prostitute themselves on the streets instead of playing in them.

In a press conference, IID calls for Filipinos around the globe and to all Norsunians and all Dumagueteños in particular, to lift their hands and help promote peace in Mindanao. Be a contributor to the one million voices for Peace in the Philippines by being vigilant in what is happening in Mindanao, by joining contests aimed to commence peace, and by writing literary pieces with peace as its theme. The IID believes that through these little initiatives, someday, peace will unite the country.

The NORSUnian joins this call. We encourage all of those who read this paper contribute to any effort that would bring peace to Mindanao. Our efforts may be small and our contributions perhaps insignificant when compared to the size of this conflict. Nevertheless, if we are all united in advocating, helping our brothers and sisters in Mindanao, we might just be able to help them find their own definition of peace.

An Honest Centavo

By Cheeno M. Luang

(Vol. XXVIX No. 8, Editorial Cartoon)

Early this semester, several incidents of theft at the University Library baggage counter have been brought to the attention of the Office of Security Matters (OSM). Police Colonel Rosalinda Abellon, chief officer assigned to the case, reported that the culprit behind the five cases of theft at the said location is a student and that she has finally been caught and is now under disciplinary action by the Board of Discipline.

The student was apprehended with the help of the close-circuit camera installed at the library baggage counter. “Technology is really working and is very important,” said Abellon. The NORSUnian agrees to that. In today’s advent of technology, crimes such as theft can be easily solved because of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras that are installed in some areas here in the university.

However, that does not mean that because of this technology, we will just become careless and irresponsible with our belongings. Since it is not every time that the CCTV is there to record activities inside the university, it is our primary responsibility to safeguard our things.

We encourage all students to take good care of your wallets, bags, and valuables when inside and even outside the university. As what this unfortunate event has shown us, people may get tempted, and anyone may be a culprit. On the other hand, anyone can also be a victim. Bad elements never warn you of their intentions. They simply wait for the opportunity to pounce.

Life is hard, and many have made this a reason for their criminal acts. But life’s difficulty does not absolve us of our moral values. Poverty does not justify dishonesty. Being underprivileged does not give us license to prey on those who are also less fortunate.

We have to learn to live within our means. We have to learn to find honest sources of income. There are part-time jobs out there that we can avail of. NORSU also has some student jobs available. Maybe it is a good idea for the university someday to have a mechanism to help students who are really financially challenged. But while we hope and work for things to turn out better for us, let us not forget that stealing is never acceptable and that “an honest centavo is better than a stolen peso.”

Not Worth the Price

By Paul Anthony M. Eso

(Vol. XXVIX No. 7, Editorial Cartoon)

Our very own Internet Research Station (IRS) is considered to be one of the most serviceable facilities that the Norsunians ever had. The facility provides students and faculty access to the fast mode services of the internet. It is also a God-sent educational tool, especially for those taking computer-related courses.

However, there are numerous complaints about the seemingly poor management of the IRS. These include allegations that IRS personnel are inconsiderate and that students are not allowed access to available computer units.

It has reached The NORSUnian that an IRS staff member allegedly shut off computers even when students are still in the middle of their work. Why should he turn the PCs off if someone is still using it? Is it to punish the student for going beyond his/her allocated time? That is just plain heartless. The students deserve to be warned so they can save or secure their work.

Crowds of students needing to use the computers have also swelled outside the IRS since the staff only made one out of the three rooms available for students to use. It has been explained by Information Technology Office (ITO) Director Henedino Ramacho that the IRS only keeps one room operational throughout the day to save electricity. He was quick to add, though, that IRS staff members have been directed to open the other IRS rooms when the first room is full. But why was this directive was not carried out immediately? Why open the two rooms only after numerous complaints from students?

We appreciate the immediate reaction of the ITO and the IRS to appease the students. But we suggest for them to be more proactive and considerate. May we also suggest that they keep their 8am to 8pm operating hours instead of opening almost at 9am and closing at 7pm.

Students have been accused of complaining too much. Students complain because it is their right. Students also complain when things need to be remedied or when they feel they have been short-changed.

If the IRS personnel think that students are making too much of a fuss, please remember that every semester, each student pays 300 pesos to avail of the services of the IRS. Right now, its services are certainly not worth the price.