After the strong clamor of graduating students, the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) administration clarified that the online graduation set-up is not final and that they are open to suggestions from the student body, in an online meeting with the outgoing and incoming CSSP Student Council and a representative from the SULÔ Yearbook committee, today, June 7.
No final plans yet
Asked about clarifications on the poised online graduation set-up, Dr. Darlene Occeña-Gutierrez, officer-in-charge of the college, said that the CSSP Graduation Committee presented their plans and recommendations to the College Executive Board (CEB) on May 26.
The CEB justified the initial plan to hold the online graduation based on three reasons: the large population of CSSP graduates, unavailability of venues like the University Theater, Sunken Garden, or the Film Center, and the residence of some graduates who are far from Manila, highlighting the reason being that “walang maiiwanan at sasama ang loob.”
However, Dr. Occeña-Gutierrez categorically stated that the plans for online graduation are not yet final. “Open ang CEB sa suggestions at sentiments. Pwede [tayo] makapagset ng meeting.”
Robin Traballo, outgoing CSSP SC vice-chairperson, also said that they intend to include in Batch 2020 and 2021 graduates, who have already graduated the university via online mode due to the pandemic, in the proposed face-to-face graduation rites for this year.
A proposal was presented, including alternatives such as a joint graduation ceremony of batches 2020-2022 and two separate physical set-ups. Another offer was presented which resorts to both aforementioned alternatives, yet proposing to hold them at later dates.
Dr. Occeña-Gutierrez, however, said that plans are still subject to existing guidelines and protocols governing activities during the pandemic. She said that there are three possible modes of graduation: fully online, blended face-to-face and virtual, or fully virtual.
Proposals still open
Traballo presented three possible options pitched by the CSSP SC. First, a joint blended graduation rites for three batches (Batch 2020, 2021, and 2022). Second, two separate physical graduations for Batch 2022 and Batch 2020 and 2022 on different months. Third, an online graduation and a blended Seniors’ Send-off headed by Traballo and the SULÔ Editorial Board.
We asked CSSP officials regarding the level of student involvement in planning the graduation ceremony. They said that they are unaware of the extent of the coordination between the administration and the students. It was also stressed that the relaying of pertinent information related to the graduation to the studentry was not particularly discussed yet.
They proceed to describe the top-down decision-making process where the CEB ultimately decides. However, they reiterated their openness to study proposals from students themselves.
Asked why the said plan was divulged only through UP Diliman University Student Chair Jonas Abadilla last June 2 at the Balik UP Ligtas na Balik Eskwela Forum, Dr. Occeña-Gutierrez said that she may have forgotten to inform students due to their heavy workload. College Secretary Dr. Lou Bolinao added that publicization of matters discussed during CEB meetings are subject to the Dean’s approval. They said that Dean Bernadette Abrera is out of the country this week. Her return is yet to be finalized.
Graduating students criticized the initial plans for a full online graduation. Some seniors cite the almost-10,000 students who attended the face-to-face Baccalaureate Mass in the University of Santo Tomas and the festive UP Bonfire after the UP Men’s Basketball Team grabbed the UAAP Season 84 championship as reasons for not holding the graduation rites in online platforms.
Graduating Political Science Major Danelle Go argued that if the University Graduation will be via blended mode, the college graduation should also follow suit. Although, in a tweet, Abadilla clarified that only summa cum laude and Doctor of Philosophy graduates are included and that college graduation rites will be upon the discretion of respective college administrations.
Outgoing Geography Department Representative and graduating Geography student Carlo Felipe also slammed the lack of consultation and involvement of the students in the process: “no consultations were made between the students and the [CSSP administration].”
However, despite the disappointment, the students also remained open for a dialogue with the administration to create a mutually-acceptable plan. Traballo also added that students are willing to volunteer should there be a lack of manpower and financial resources.
Read our interview with graduating students: https://tinyurl.com/PulsoGrad
What’s next for our graduates?
The CSSP Student Council, in coordination with the CSSP Office of the Student Affairs, said that they will release the sensing forms tomorrow and will probably close it by Sunday.
After the data has been organized, this will be presented to a CEB meeting within this month whose exact date is yet unclear. The first option is to tackle it on June 20 when the CEB meets for June. Other options are June 21 if the agenda is not discussed on the 20th or on June 17 so that graduation is the only agenda for the CEB and student representatives to focus on.
In a message to SINAG, CSSP SC Chair-elect Vayne Altapascine del Rosario said that the council will do its best to campaign for the preferred mode of graduation based on sensing forms and consultations.
“Ang SC ay maglalabas ng sensing form para mas makita ng admin ang kakayanan at kahilingan ng graduating students. Habang ginagawa ito ay patuloy naman ang efforts ng CSSP SC para makapagconsult at maisulong ang best possible recognition rites given the current conditions,” del Rosario added.
According to the University Calendar, the University Graduation will be on July 31 while the CSSP graduation is planned to be held in the last week of July.
Featured image by LFS CSSP
