Responding to growing concerns by CSSP students over the lack of accessible and inclusive spaces the UP CSSP Student Council and KAPP Core convened to amplify the call for a humane, accessible, and appropriate transition period this second semester.
The student leaders emphasized the need to assert our right not just quality formal education, but also to organize, occupy space and connect with one another outside of the classroom.Â
“Naniniwala ang mga organisasyon at pormasyon ng KAPP na ang #LigtasNaBalikEskwela ay hindi lamang tumutukoy sa loob ng silid-aral kung hindi pati sa labas nito,” said CSSPSC Councilor Francesca Duran.
As the reopening of Palma Hall continues, the UP CSSP SC and KAPP core noted the need for safe, inclusive, and democratic student spaces as well.
#LigtasNaBalikEspasyo Demands
The assembly began with the discussion of the formulated position paper detailing the college’s demands for a return to the safe spaces within Palma Hall. The organizations and formations of CSSP expressed the various student demands: student representation, student spaces, org tambayans, and org assistance.
The student leaders demanded proper student representation and tight coordination with the CSSP administration in succeeding organization and space meetings, to ensure the return of organizational culture classes this semester.Â
They also asserted the need for the prompt reopening — following clearer and more streamlined guidelines — of the AS student halls, libraries, and academic spaces as students returning to classes under the new F2F policy will need venues to meet online and on-campus professors
Furthermore, the students called for the permittance for CSSP organizations to reoccupy and utilize designated tambayans, under the premise of the pandemic’s effects on on-ground sites, to reintegrate and reestablish the College’s formations.
Lastly, as several org tambayans have been affected by the recent renovations in Palma Hall, they demandedalternative tambayans, temporary storage of property, and proper assistance during this transition period , for the convenience and protection of the College’s safe spaces.
Inaccessible, Insufficient, and Inadequate
The floor was then opened for manifestations and consultations. Most of the present delegates expressed the grievances they experienced in the first week of classes. UP GeogSoc, for instance, shared their frustrations over getting displaced from their tambayan.
“Sa case po ng Geog, nadisplace po talaga kami. Wala po talaga kaming tambayan this semester. Ang sinabi po samin ng department, i-uwi na lang po namin yung gamit, pero ang problema kasi doon may mga gamit na malalaki tulad ng sofa. Ang hirap po nun kapag iuuwi tapos ibabalik din,”UP GeogSoc’s representatives stated.
In response, UP SAPUL expressed the need for student organizations to be given designated spaces, considering that the number of formations drastically increased during the pandemic.
“Alam naman po natin nung pandemic, dumami yung mga orgs kasi mas naramdaman din natin yung problema kaya mas naging organisado tayo. Ito po yung irerehistro natin na magkaroon ng tambayan application para sa mga orgs,”as mentioned by UP SAPUL.
UP KMS representatives then raised a point of suggestion, proposing the mobilization of Department Representatives to directly coordinate with the Undergraduate Coordinators to put vacant campus rooms to good use. This proposal was supported by the CSSP SC, further emphasizing the role of student mobilization in the College’s aim for inclusive spaces.
“Ang aking masasabi talaga ay ma-mobilize na kalampagin yung admin kasi at the end of the day wala silang choice kundi makinig sa atin. Tayo yung may kawalan sa espasyo,”UP CSSP SC mentioned.
These challenges faced by CSSP students were further underscored by the inconvenient spaces Linguistic students have had to deal with. While steady communications have been made to ensure the opening of an accessible study space this semester, the limited resources around their designated areas make it difficult to ensure appropriate learning.
As Linguistics Department Representative added that he was fortunate because he was able to coordinate with their department on plans for face-to-face classes.
“Pero ang concern kasi ang tambayan namin nasa Pav 2. So hindi rin kasya lahat ng tao. Kaya mas kailangan din ng malalaking spaces. I think isa rin sa pinakaimportante ay mabuksan yung reading hall, para hindi lang sila naka-upo sa AS Lobby,” he said.
The assembly adjourned with the delegates agreeing on the combined efforts it must take for the university to start listening to their registered calls. Currently, the CSSP Reading Hall is now open after the surge of complaints listed by the students.
READ: https://tinyurl.com/yyu79dse
The council hopes that the organizations will continue to assert the demands for students spaces in the college.
“Naniniwala ang Konseho na sa nagkakaisang puwersa ng mga samahan sa KAPP ay mapagtatagumpayan nating punuin at bigyang-kulay muli ang lahat ng espasyo sa Palma Hall,” said Duran.
Featured image courtesy of KAPP Core
