UP ALYANSA

We, in UP ALYANSA, recognize the basic right of the UP Diliman Administration to make rules and regulations necessary for the safety, well-being, and benefit of the studentry. With that, we recognize the fact that the 2009 Draft Student Code of Conduct was passed in order to fulfill such responsibilities. However, there is still room for improvement for the passed 2010 Draft Student Code of Conduct that we will not accept and would want to amend.

 

In line with this, we in UP ALYANSA lobbied before Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Elizabeth Enriquez, together with Office of Student Activities Coordinator Oscar Ferrer, our stand on the matter.

 

However, Vice Chancellor Enriquez countered our arguments with facts about the UP budget, as lacking for tambayan constructions, and that only 30% of the UP studentry is a member of at least one organization, thus the priority for tambayan constructions is sacrificed. Also, though Dr. Enriquez has offered compromises, it was pointed out that the Review Committee, responsible for coming up with the draft, has approved the draft and it is now to be presented before the University Council for approval this December 30.

 

But nonetheless we in UP ALYANSA stand for the following amendments:

1. On the declaration that tambayan is a privilege is a concern.

   We disagree that the use of a tambayan is considered a grant. We in ALYANSA maintain our position that a tambayan is not merely a privilege, but a right, in pursuit of the University's goal towards a holistic humanitarian education, as well as a manifestation of our right to join organizations for purposes not contrary to law. (Section 4.1. Tambayan, Article VI. Guidelines for Students and Registered Student Organizations)

   Giving the burden of this matter to the college or local student council alone is not fair and would be counterproductive. We would like to call the attention of the Administration to provide a clear commitment of its sincere desire to promote the well-being of student organizations through assisting them in acquiring tambayans. (Section 4.1.1. Grant of tambayan, Article VI. Guidelines for Students and Registered Student Organizations)

 

2. We would like to put forward that instead of the disciplinary body inviting “students as resource persons in the conduct of proceedings”, the accused should be the one to have the power to request for the presence of such. (Section 1. Disciplinary Bodies, Article VII. Procedure)

 

3. The requirements for organizational recognition are still not clearly manifested. We would like to manifest that for this academic year, the Office of Student Activities has imposed new requirements for organizational requirements that are not included in the current draft, such as the Leadership Training Seminar and the Gender Sensitivity Training. We ask for the clarification of all these requirements in order to prevent the unnecessary imposition of new ones under the Office of Student Activities contrary to those stipulated in the Student Code. (Section 3. Guidelines on the application for, or renewal of, official registration of student organizations in the University, Article VI. Guidelines for Students and Registered Student Organizations)

 4. We again insist that it is necessary to include a bill of students’ rights that gives explicit and specific mention to particular liberties, benefits, and entitlements that the UP Administration must respect, protect, and guarantee. 

Article V. Rights, Privileges and Responsibilities of Students and Student Organizations

Section 1. Rights of Students—In addition to other rights under existing laws, every student shall enjoy the following rights:

1.   The right to adequate welfare services and academic facilities, which shall include but shall not be limited to the following:

a.   Free annual physical check-up;

b. Legal assistance in cases involving the exercise and enjoyment of rights and freedoms as students;

c. School guidance and counseling services for decisions and selecting the alternatives in fields of work suited to his potentialities;

d. Adequate laboratory, library, research, recreation and physical education facilities;

e. Communications system to ensure that students are promptly notified of letters and other relevant information;

f. Adequate, safe and clean housing facilities, such as dormitories, for students inside campuses.

2. The right of access to her/his school records, the confidentiality of which the school shall maintain and preserve.

3. The right to the issuance of official certificates, diplomas, transcript of records, grades, transfer credentials, and other similar documents within thirty days from request.

4. The right to information on matters affecting students’ rights and     welfare.

5. The right to participate in the drafting of policies relating to students’ rights and welfare, especially in The right to participate in the drafting of policies relating to students’ rights and welfare, especially in student discipline, tuition increase and academic standards.

6. The right to peaceably assemble and petition the government and school authorities for the redress of grievances.

Despite this, Iskolars para sa Bayan, our call for a progressive Student Code of Conduct has not yet come to an end. We are faced with the challenge to be involved in the making of the Student Code of Conduct, and this we should not take lightly. We enjoin everyone to seek out our professors favor before the University Council meeting to represent our stand for what we believe is necessary for our well-being and benefit.

We have definitely broken the code, but what comes next? We craft it. We strengthen it. We uphold it.

 

Iskolar para sa Bayan, kasama ka sa pagpapatibay at pagtatanggol ng ating mga karapatan.

Kasama ka sa ALYANSA.