Issues on enlistment, lack of facilities resurfaced as UPM CAS holds on-site enrollment after two years

By The News Team

After two years of online set-up, the UP Manila College of Arts and Sciences (UPM CAS) will finally push through with a hybrid set-up that caters to more face-to-face classes with a suggested percentage of at least 50%.

Several issues have nonetheless resurfaced such as the lack of student spaces like dormitories, cafeterias, and classrooms to name a few. Meanwhile, the recently held online registration also revealed problems with the shortage of human resources in offices as well as inefficient policies.

As of writing, the dean of CAS has requested the professors and lecturers to move their on-site classes a week after the date originally set by the college administration.

Being the largest college in the university that is expected to accommodate around 2,000 students, is CAS really prepared for holding face-to-face classes?

Delays and ‘delinquencies’

The recent college’s enrollment process was beset with multiple delays, leaving the students at an utmost disadvantage.

Even before the scheduled on-site validation, students were already met with various difficulties in acquiring their Enrollment Checklist Form (ECF), such as missing subjects on the form — or not receiving one at all — and having to accomplish multiple Google Forms to get theirs.

Following the lifting of the academic ease policies as issued in Memorandum №2022–09 by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA), scholastic delinquency rulings were once again in effect.

During the validation of ECFs, there were multiple reports of students suddenly being labeled ‘delinquents’ despite their full compliance with all the requirements for this step, causing further delays in the queue.

A freshman detailed how her classmates, who all received their grades at the same time, were cleared, while she and a few others were delayed because of their ‘delinquent’ status. She complained that they were redirected to yet another long line and stayed until almost 7 p.m. on campus — with their issues being resolved in a matter of seconds when their names were finally called.

Others stressed that it was unfair for them to be labeled as delinquents when they have incomplete grades, especially since they are not the ones in charge of releasing their grades. However, some professors’ late submission of grades can also be attributed to the additional burden of administrative work.

Even worse, some remaining students with unresolved concerns were sent home and advised to return to the college some other time. Students asserted that this could have been processed online like the previous years, especially since some of them do not live near Manila.

According to the UPM CAS Student Council (UPM CASSC), the CAS Office of the College Secretary (OCS) cited, in a meeting, the lack of manpower to cater to the needs of students, which may suggest the opening of student volunteers.

Still no space

Problems with student spaces in the college are nothing new. According to the UPM CASSC, the renovations of the Rizal Hall have been ongoing for five years already. This problem is now compounded with concerns about student housing as the return to on-site classes takes place.

On student housing, the UPM CASSC noted, in a December 2022 survey, that the majority of students, especially those coming from provinces, still have no dormitories because of three main reasons: (1) the university-owned dormitories are still reserved for female students, (2) the lack of clear face-to-face plans from the college, and (2) the expensive living costs in Manila.

Some students said that they might resort to daily commuting just to attend on-site classes, “I have no choice but to commute but you know our transportation system works here in NCR that not only would it drain me physically, but also mentally and emotionally.”

While the campus aims to fully reopen for face-to-face instruction this second semester, CAS Dean Carillo, on Feb. 2, requested the college faculty to conduct fully online classes in the first week due to the lack of classrooms and the ongoing renovations at Rizal Hall. The letter also stated that this would allow students to finish their enrollment.

In the online town hall meeting conducted last Jan. 17, Chancellor Padilla revealed that construction at CAS still cannot be completed primarily due to the lack of funds. She stated that the college would still need an additional P70 million to repair damages and address the space shortage.

Meanwhile, Dr. Blesile Mantaring, the director of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA), updates on completed construction and renovations of learning spaces would be provided after three months.

Lack of consultation

The CAS Student Council (CASSC) expressed their disappointment with the administration as their incessant requests for a dialogue regarding F2F classes were only granted once which only lasted for an hour.

In the recently concluded General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC), Chairperson Namit bore that the said consultation only lasted for an hour because the CAS Dean insisted on maintaining a “life-and-work balance.”

Moreover, after the on-site enlistment, The Manila Collegian reached her for an interview to know her insights about what happened during the enrollment. Still, she requested a scheduled table discussion instead.

“It is already past 5,” she said after leaving the site.