The centennial year has just ended and a new era has dawned. But while the university's first century comes to a close, the forging of history continues. Indeed, the times still beckon our generation to become the new agents of history, just as past generations of students did.
For us, the year 2009 heralds two possibilities – the onslaught of policies and measures that pose a threat to our democratic rights, as well as the renewed commitment to defend them. In the newly-approved UP Charter, for instance, there are various provisions that imperil our hard-won liberties, constituting an attack on democratic access to education and student representation.
The UP Charter subjects the Office of the Student Regent (OSR) to a trial that is not only unnecessary but also unjustified. The OSR is the sole representation of the students to the Board of Regents (BOR), as mandated by Cory Aquino in Executive Order No. 204. Before the order was approved, the student representation was only limited to observer status, and therefore did not have any right to partake in any decision-making in the Board of Regents, the highest policy-making body of the university.
The selection of the Student Regent (SR) traditionally follows the Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection (CRSRS) approved yearly by the General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC). Both the OSR and the CRSRS were secured and crafted by the students directly following Martial Law, after a tireless clamoring for fair representation. Today, the OSR and the CRSRS are a concrete manifestation of the students' collective accomplishment.
In its two decades of existence, the OSR has been an instrument in defending the interests of the students and the wider sectors in society. It has spearheaded campaigns for higher state subsidy, fought against discrimination, and continually pushed for the accessibility of quality education in the university. Its inauguration also realigned UP's direction towards the upholding of the democratic interests of the people. And though there have been efforts to drown the OSR's voice – and in effect, the mandate of the students – the SR persevered, bolstered by the support of the youth.
Despite the pro-student character of the OSR and the CRSRS, the UP Charter still submits it to a referendum, exposing the OSR to a possible vacancy or suspension. The referendum will be held for six days, from January 26 to 31. The UP Charter warrants the most number of affirmative votes from all students systemwide for the SR selection to proceed.
The UP Charter is also unclear on the event of a failed referendum, placing the OSR at the juncture of uncertainty. The outcome of this ambiguity, however, is sure danger for student rights, as the lack of representation will leave us vulnerable to intensified forms of intervention from the state and the administration.
This is a very crucial time for us students as there are increasing concerns that put our democratic rights and interests at risk. In a period of crisis and hardship for the Filipino people, the UP administration opts to compromise the accessibility of education to the broader public. It has only been two years since the implementation of the 300 percent Tuition and other Fee Increases (TOFI), yet the administration is possibly already preparing for another round of TOFI in the next three years, as confirmed by UP Pres. Emerlinda Roman in a television interview.
Meanwhile, the students can barely keep up with the rising costs. This semester, student loans in UP Diliman alone escalated to more than 100 percent from last school year, with the most number of loans borrowed by students from Bracket C of the Socialized Tuition and Other Fees Program (STFAP).
If anything, this onslaught confirms the importance of student representation, and the instrumentality of the SR in defending our rights against the machinations of the administration and the state. Therefore, we shall declare our loud and piercing support for the OSR by casting our YES votes on the impending referendum.
For we shall not stand in silence while our rights are attacked, and our legitimate concerns are ignored. Together, let us defend the institution which our forbearers have fought hard for. We shall vote YES to the CRSRS referendum to secure our sole representation and to protect the future of the university and the next generation. In unity, let's ensure our position as the largest stakeholders of the university with a resonating YES vote in the referendum!
For us, the year 2009 heralds two possibilities – the onslaught of policies and measures that pose a threat to our democratic rights, as well as the renewed commitment to defend them. In the newly-approved UP Charter, for instance, there are various provisions that imperil our hard-won liberties, constituting an attack on democratic access to education and student representation.
The UP Charter subjects the Office of the Student Regent (OSR) to a trial that is not only unnecessary but also unjustified. The OSR is the sole representation of the students to the Board of Regents (BOR), as mandated by Cory Aquino in Executive Order No. 204. Before the order was approved, the student representation was only limited to observer status, and therefore did not have any right to partake in any decision-making in the Board of Regents, the highest policy-making body of the university.
The selection of the Student Regent (SR) traditionally follows the Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection (CRSRS) approved yearly by the General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC). Both the OSR and the CRSRS were secured and crafted by the students directly following Martial Law, after a tireless clamoring for fair representation. Today, the OSR and the CRSRS are a concrete manifestation of the students' collective accomplishment.
In its two decades of existence, the OSR has been an instrument in defending the interests of the students and the wider sectors in society. It has spearheaded campaigns for higher state subsidy, fought against discrimination, and continually pushed for the accessibility of quality education in the university. Its inauguration also realigned UP's direction towards the upholding of the democratic interests of the people. And though there have been efforts to drown the OSR's voice – and in effect, the mandate of the students – the SR persevered, bolstered by the support of the youth.
Despite the pro-student character of the OSR and the CRSRS, the UP Charter still submits it to a referendum, exposing the OSR to a possible vacancy or suspension. The referendum will be held for six days, from January 26 to 31. The UP Charter warrants the most number of affirmative votes from all students systemwide for the SR selection to proceed.
The UP Charter is also unclear on the event of a failed referendum, placing the OSR at the juncture of uncertainty. The outcome of this ambiguity, however, is sure danger for student rights, as the lack of representation will leave us vulnerable to intensified forms of intervention from the state and the administration.
This is a very crucial time for us students as there are increasing concerns that put our democratic rights and interests at risk. In a period of crisis and hardship for the Filipino people, the UP administration opts to compromise the accessibility of education to the broader public. It has only been two years since the implementation of the 300 percent Tuition and other Fee Increases (TOFI), yet the administration is possibly already preparing for another round of TOFI in the next three years, as confirmed by UP Pres. Emerlinda Roman in a television interview.
Meanwhile, the students can barely keep up with the rising costs. This semester, student loans in UP Diliman alone escalated to more than 100 percent from last school year, with the most number of loans borrowed by students from Bracket C of the Socialized Tuition and Other Fees Program (STFAP).
If anything, this onslaught confirms the importance of student representation, and the instrumentality of the SR in defending our rights against the machinations of the administration and the state. Therefore, we shall declare our loud and piercing support for the OSR by casting our YES votes on the impending referendum.
For we shall not stand in silence while our rights are attacked, and our legitimate concerns are ignored. Together, let us defend the institution which our forbearers have fought hard for. We shall vote YES to the CRSRS referendum to secure our sole representation and to protect the future of the university and the next generation. In unity, let's ensure our position as the largest stakeholders of the university with a resonating YES vote in the referendum!
*Disregard the byline. Thank you.
