In light of the current surge in COVID-19 cases and the aftermath of typhoon Odette, the UP Diliman University Student Council together with the League of College Councils petitioned the university administration to impose a recovery and wellness break for all academic stakeholders yesterday, January 19, 2022.
“Health, welfare, and safety must be our paramount priority,” stated the councils in their request letter.
Through sensing forms, the council found that many students have been under the weather yet were more focused on the submission of requirements rather than recovery. The faculty and staff of the university have also pleaded with the administration for adjustments of deadlines.
The 2-week wellness break will give ample time for both students, faculty, and staff to recover from the recent events and to prepare for the upcoming semester. Additionally, the councils also demanded to move the start of the second semester and to extend all deadlines to accommodate the wellness break.
“Now more than ever, let us remain steadfast to overcome these challenges without having to compromise and leave anyone behind,” the councils stated.
The UP Kilos Na Multisectoral Alliance (MSA), consisting of sectoral forces in the UP Diliman community, sent a letter to UP president Danilo Concepcion and Vice President for Academic Affairs Cynthia Bautista last January 17, clamoring for a holistic 2-week wellness and recovery break to begin on January 28 and to move the supposed start of the second semester. They also called the administration to guarantee the continuing implementation of existing academic easing policies.
An online dialogue was requested by UP MSA to tackle and address these pressing matters in adherence to the demands of the university stakeholders.
Furthermore, the All UP Workers’ Alliance echoed the sectors’ calls and stressed that the UP administration must ensure the provision of P25,000 emergency relief to all workers. The alliance furthers that contractuals’ salaries be guaranteed.
#RecoveryBreakNow
#MoveTheSem
#AcademicEaseNow
Featured image courtesy of UPD USC
