The University Student Government (USG) held its first “Talumpati: A State of the University Address” on January 31, 2017 with the goal of practicing the values of transparency and accountability. USG President Michelle Monique Sianghio delivered the address in front of the student body gathered at Study Hall B. Here are the highlights of her speech.
1. Increased social media presence
The USG is now very much active in Facebook and Twitter, making us more reachable. It has also served as a great way of spreading information to you, as seen with our Did You Know Campaign, our Claygo campaign, and our Dress Code campaign. Through these as well, we were able to ask for donations promptly for Barangay Addition Hills which experienced a devastating fire.
2. Improved legislating powers
We started the Student Congress, where each organization was represented by at least three students, with the purpose of acting on student concerns through policy proposals. Through the Congress, we were able to have a discussion with the Management Committee (ManCom) of the University regarding issues related to the Assets and Facilities Management (AFM) and their policies.
We were able to revise the qualifications for inclusion in the Dean’s List. Before, you could not qualify if you had a failing mark during your entire stay in the University. Now, you may qualify as long as you did not have any failing mark for that particular semester. We hope that this will inspire students to study harder!
Through the increased student involvement in the activities of the University, and through the initiative of the Congress, the administration, specifically the ManCom, has discovered the eagerness of the students to be heard. Thus, we have established a better relationship with them through a more efficient and direct communication. The ManCom now includes the students in matters such as the AFM policies and tuition fees.
3. Initial external linkages
Through our participation in conferences and seminars, we have created partnerships with different universities such as the Ateneo De Manila University, De La Salle University, and Technological University of the Philippines, and to external organizations such as the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines, First Leadership Academy, Bratpack, and UP Advertising Core. Because of the partnership, we have provided our students with opportunities such as a broadcasted debate organized by Shout Out Kabataan or the national conferences for student leaders.
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