WHAT IF?

By Karlo Billy Rubia

(Vol.XXX  Issue No. 6, Editorial Cartoon)

Our university on the previous school year has faced myriad of issues. One of those issues include the expensive amount collected for college funds. Many parents claimed that the said fees were too big for a public university like NORSU. Former SGDC-I President Norelyn Talorete immediately appealed to the president’s office, even to other powerful personalitites in order to make a move about it and after series of meetings and talks, the administration has finally approved to cut down the funds and do some refund for the excessed payments. Students were very happy. Some were thankful for they can at least return the refunded money to their beloved parents. Others jumped for joy for they can perhaps keep the money for good.

            But this good news has sacrificed a lot in terms of the college’s projects and activities. Many Norsunians would complain why there were few programs and activities especially during founders week, well, that simply answers it!

            Another problem emerged on the later part of the second semester wherein one of the college governors who was running for SGDC president was alleged to have personally used the money of their own college. Many were shocked! Especially when the university president announced it during the awarding of honor students. However, what shocked the students most was when the latter won the election. Other students even thought there was sabotage during the election. But no! There was none! The election was peaceful. The results were duly based on the electors’ number of votes.

            Now tell us! Does he really deserve the position? Yes he does! That’s what you answered based on your votes. We just hope you had voted what you think was right, because if not, then you already know what the possible consequences are.

            The third and the biggest problem the university specifically the administration has faced was when the students initiated a rally last ______________. First two aforementioned problems were some of the reasons for the unfriendly act. Other reasons include the alleged corrupt and puppets of the administration, removal of some trusted NORSU staffs ______.

            Said rally was led by some of the powerful student body officers which made it more influential to everyone’s eyes. We say it was partly right and partly wrong. Partly right for it is the students right to express their sentiments towards the administration’s disruptive leadership. And partly wrong because it has dented the image of our university. Since it was aired by the media, many were informed what NORSU really is and what kind of leaders and students it has.

            We wrote this editorial not to favor the admin nor the students. We hear both sides. We balance things. Thus, we believe we are in one family. Yes! We all have the freedom of expression yet that does not give us the reason to create a war between ourselves. Everything can always be solved with a peaceful talk or assembly.

            Students sometime feel they have been neglected by the administration especially by the president because they think he has not allotted time for them. Or perhaps, they were wrong, the president has tried his best to serve yet it was covered up the wrong moves he has made.

            It is just the start of the new school year. What if we give each other a chance? What if we change our perceptions towards each other? What if we work hand-in-hand in establishing a good image for our university? Surely, NORSU aside from being one of the best learning institutions, will also be a school of disciplined people.

Not too late!

EDITORIAL

Not too late!

(Vol. XXXI Issue No. 2)

“Everyday is research day, accreditation day and quality service day”. Hence, each and everyone as expected by the university president, should work stiffer in meeting the requirements as set by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Lately, our university president has signed a memorandum of agreement containing the partnership between NORSU and three Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). These NGOs namely Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) Bahaginan , Gawad Kalinga (GK)  and  Saceda Youth Lead (SYL) will serve as partners of NORSU for the entire year.

The Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) is a non-government organization that allows people to impart their skills, build capabilities, and promote international understanding and action towards changing the world into a fairer place for all.

On the other hand, Gawad Kalinga (GK) Community Development Foundation is a Philippine-based poverty alleviation and nation-building movement. GK was able to launch the Isang Milyong Bayani program wherein volunteers from various nations donate 4 hours of their work per month in order to assist in some community-based activities. GK also offers programs including Child and Youth Development, Community Building, Green Kalinga, Bayan-Anihan, GK Kalusugan Community Infrastructure and Center for Social Innovation.

Completing the three new partners of NORSU is the Saceda Youth Lead (SYL) which gathers teachers, student leaders, NGO workers and leadership practitioners from all over the Philippines and Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN). SYL aims to identify and discuss the societal issues and challenges that affect basic education.

Indeed, we commend the idea of this newly partnership! These NGOs are truly helpful to some certain degrees.  First, it calls for a professional involvement among teachers and students. Second, this would encourage Norsunians especially the teachers to take part as volunteers for international linkages. Lastly, this would uplift the university’s social welfare and external relations thus supporting the area number six of the accreditation requirements which is—the extension and community involvement.

As of the press time, Negros Oriental State University becomes a low performing school on the public’s eyesight due to several programs of the university that were recently downgraded by the  Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities (AACUP). In fact, it is said that those downgraded programs must substantially attain the level of excellence (level 4) by year 2016; otherwise, they will be subjected to immediate closure.

Year 2016 is yet far to go, therefore, it is not too late! As we see, the newly held partnership serves as one of the plus factors in accreditation. Well, that was just area number six. There are still other areas that are to be improved. We believe that with the cooperation of the admin, faculty and staff and students, we will be able to save our university’s reputation. This is a school for “poor and deserving” students and we want that our future children and grandchildren to still could afford enrolling in this school that provides “quality education”.

T he ‘Scarface’ Rule

By Ranulfo Repe

(Vol.XXX  Issue No. 6, Editorial Cartoon)

If you are a returnee—sophomore, junior, or senior student—of this university, you could have remembered the infamous face of the tall, dark, and…never mind…security guard who usually lifts his shoulders like a robust master of the gate. He was a policeman who confiscates unworn IDs, a fashion critic who prohibits students wearing sleeveless blouses and slippers to enter, and an icon of enragement to the students for his unwanted aura. He was better known as ‘Scarface.’ Rude right?

But he is nowhere to be found now. It could either be because of the insistent demand of the students to have him ousted or because of another issue, which we do not know.

Whether he is still working as a security guard right now in another institution or not, a security guard like him must surely be re-employed in this institution. You might protest and contest this idea, but you should hear this out.

When ‘Scarface’ left the university before the start of this semester, we could see some Norsunians entering the premises of this institution in not-so-appealing attires. If you are aware of the decency this university observes in terms of the dress code, then you have the idea that wearing sleeveless blouses, mini-skirts, and slippers inside the university are not advisable. In fact, these are the apparels that will never pass in the standards of ‘Scarface’ when it was his time to stand in front of the entrance gate, which is also the right thing to do.

Though there was a ruckus last school year on how this impolite security guard implemented the rule, it seems that there is a need for the strict re-implementation of the dress code. There have already been a good number of Norsunians who were spotted wearing slippers, sleeveless blouses, very short pants, and mini-skirts inside the university—attires that look less of an educated man who claims to be studying in a university.

Moreover, we ask the committee in-charge to strictly implement the dress code policy or more so, pass a memorandum specifically stating the shoulds and should nots of the policy. The realization of this already-sabotaged-dress-code is what this university needs, not only because this has been what was done in the past, but because this is what we believe is right and proper for university students like us.