Position Paper on the Drafted 2009 Code of Student Conduct
Below is the official position paper of the UP Aguman on the drafted 2009 Code of Student Conduct. Last, summer this was submitted along with the respective position papers of other student organizations affected by this controversial draft code.
Duly recognized and accredited by the Office of Student Affairs of the University of the Philippines Diliman, the UP Aguman is a socio-civic, not-for-profit, service-oriented organization of Pampango-speaking students based in the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. Formally recognized in December 12, 1973, the organization embraces its aims to uphold the truth, to promote man's inherent goodness and capabilities, and to appreciate the importance of human relations.
As with regards to the student code, UP Aguman has seen some provisions that may hinder the very aims the organization upholds, as specified above. We find it unfair, that the newly drafted code seems to not recognize the deeds we continuously devote to our fellow men, amidst all of the constraints and lack of resources, and that some of the new code’s contentious, vague and problematic provisions sightlessly add up to these obstacles.
For almost 35 years, UP Aguman has been conducting activities, which are consistent to its aims and core values, in the service of its people. In Pampanga, the organization holds three (3) anticipated major events each year.
The Pautakan, which is endorsed by the Department of Education, takes academic competition in the province to a whole new level. Sining on the one hand is a whole variety program — a true celebration of the Kapampangan youth’s prowess in the arts — literature, music, drama, dance, visual arts, etc. And last but definitely not the least, UP Aguman also conducts the CEER (College Entrance Exam Review) every year, to high school students in order to increase their chances of making it through the premier state university and to other universities at par.
Last March 8, 2009, top winners of the Pautakan 2008 and Sining 2009 emerged as victors in the PatalaSanlahi of the UP Sanlahi Alliance, an organization of duly-recognized provincial student organizations in UP Diliman. It served as an arena where outstanding high school students from different provinces unleashed their academic and creative prowess, and at the same time, sharpened their minds in a spirit of cultural solidarity. Apparently, the organization, does not only operate outside the university but internally as well.
Together with the College ot Social Science & Philosophy Student Council, we, the Executive Council of UP Aguman, sincerely recognize the concerns and efforts of the University Administration to better regulate the academic community. We do recognize their capabilities and the fact that the existing sets of rules and regulations do need to be tweaked for the boon of the community. We, however, contest its prerogative to decide unilaterally and we oppose certain unreasonable, unnecessary and unjust provisions. Ergo, we join CSSPSC’s fervent call for the deletion and/or modification of particular rules and provisions.
As a university-based organization and more importantly as a provincial organization, we contest the 0.5% minimum membership requirement and the ‘no more than 49%’ rule. For 35 years, UP Aguman has been faithful to its aim of extending service to its people and it has successfully done so by having quality members who understand the organization’s thrust and who’ve met the specified requirements and qualifications, i.e. provincial origin. As an organization, we firmly believe that it’s better to have a modicum number of quality members, than an armada who bears the organization’s name and not its core values.
The tambayan provides space for group study and socialization thus aiding a student’s holistic development. We believe that each organization has the right to a decent and proper Tambayan that is not only regulated but also provided for by the University.
We oppose the rule that freshmen are not allowed to join any organization. UP Aguman has been a home away from home for Kapampangan students. For 35 years, it has been helping its people to adapt socially. Moreover, this rule belittles freshmen’s ability to decide for themselves.
We hope, that as we seek for the deletion/modification of these rules and provisions, the UP Administration do the processes transparently. We hope that representation from the students who truly understand the needs and situations within which provincial organizations operate are taken into consideration. Lastly, we urge the UP Administration to look beyond the organizations and to consider the people these organizations serve as well.
Duly recognized and accredited by the Office of Student Affairs of the University of the Philippines Diliman, the UP Aguman is a socio-civic, not-for-profit, service-oriented organization of Pampango-speaking students based in the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. Formally recognized in December 12, 1973, the organization embraces its aims to uphold the truth, to promote man's inherent goodness and capabilities, and to appreciate the importance of human relations.
As with regards to the student code, UP Aguman has seen some provisions that may hinder the very aims the organization upholds, as specified above. We find it unfair, that the newly drafted code seems to not recognize the deeds we continuously devote to our fellow men, amidst all of the constraints and lack of resources, and that some of the new code’s contentious, vague and problematic provisions sightlessly add up to these obstacles.
For almost 35 years, UP Aguman has been conducting activities, which are consistent to its aims and core values, in the service of its people. In Pampanga, the organization holds three (3) anticipated major events each year.
The Pautakan, which is endorsed by the Department of Education, takes academic competition in the province to a whole new level. Sining on the one hand is a whole variety program — a true celebration of the Kapampangan youth’s prowess in the arts — literature, music, drama, dance, visual arts, etc. And last but definitely not the least, UP Aguman also conducts the CEER (College Entrance Exam Review) every year, to high school students in order to increase their chances of making it through the premier state university and to other universities at par.
Last March 8, 2009, top winners of the Pautakan 2008 and Sining 2009 emerged as victors in the PatalaSanlahi of the UP Sanlahi Alliance, an organization of duly-recognized provincial student organizations in UP Diliman. It served as an arena where outstanding high school students from different provinces unleashed their academic and creative prowess, and at the same time, sharpened their minds in a spirit of cultural solidarity. Apparently, the organization, does not only operate outside the university but internally as well.
Together with the College ot Social Science & Philosophy Student Council, we, the Executive Council of UP Aguman, sincerely recognize the concerns and efforts of the University Administration to better regulate the academic community. We do recognize their capabilities and the fact that the existing sets of rules and regulations do need to be tweaked for the boon of the community. We, however, contest its prerogative to decide unilaterally and we oppose certain unreasonable, unnecessary and unjust provisions. Ergo, we join CSSPSC’s fervent call for the deletion and/or modification of particular rules and provisions.
As a university-based organization and more importantly as a provincial organization, we contest the 0.5% minimum membership requirement and the ‘no more than 49%’ rule. For 35 years, UP Aguman has been faithful to its aim of extending service to its people and it has successfully done so by having quality members who understand the organization’s thrust and who’ve met the specified requirements and qualifications, i.e. provincial origin. As an organization, we firmly believe that it’s better to have a modicum number of quality members, than an armada who bears the organization’s name and not its core values.
The tambayan provides space for group study and socialization thus aiding a student’s holistic development. We believe that each organization has the right to a decent and proper Tambayan that is not only regulated but also provided for by the University.
We oppose the rule that freshmen are not allowed to join any organization. UP Aguman has been a home away from home for Kapampangan students. For 35 years, it has been helping its people to adapt socially. Moreover, this rule belittles freshmen’s ability to decide for themselves.
We hope, that as we seek for the deletion/modification of these rules and provisions, the UP Administration do the processes transparently. We hope that representation from the students who truly understand the needs and situations within which provincial organizations operate are taken into consideration. Lastly, we urge the UP Administration to look beyond the organizations and to consider the people these organizations serve as well.
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