UP Diliman Chancellor Fidel R. Nemenzo approved the guidelines for the limited face-to-face (F2F) classes on November 29, Monday.
With the implementation of remote learning for more than a year, UPD is planning to gradually reopen the campus for restricted F2F sessions.
A total of 338 graduating students from six colleges, College of Engineering, College of Science, College of Social Work and Community Development, College of Home Economics, College of Music, and Archeological Studies Program were initially included. However, the advisory cites that “only those who signified readiness to participate” will be permitted to join the conduct of limited F2F classes.
The advisory furthers that to “ensure the smooth and safe transition to the limited F2F arrangement,” these guidelines were indicated:
- Not all the academic programs in these Colleges applied for Limited F2F Classes.
- The guidelines cover only those students who have “graduating status” as of the second semester and midyear, AY 2020-2021; and
- Participation of students in the requested limited F2F Classes is not compulsory. Among the 338, only those who signified readiness to participate will be allowed to attend F2F classes.
According to the advisory, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA) issued the FAQs to the 338 concerned students for their reference.
However, UP Diliman University Student Council (USC) chairperson Jonas Abadilla recounts that “not all those 338 students” received the FAQs, and that no proper consultation was conducted with the students.
Abadilla has previously made this point, asserting that the administration must ensure its “biggest stakeholders” are aware of the guidelines, and that it should be crafted to be “pro-student, pro-faculty, and pro-UP community.”
The OVCAA is set to undertake a second round of discussions with over 2,000 students from various academic departments who are part of the new proposal for restricted F2F classes.
Meanwhile, the students of College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) are currently sourcing volunteers in the building of the college’s roadmap for the safe resumption of physical classes, reflective of the needs and interests of all undergraduate and graduate students.
Be a volunteer here: https://tinyurl.com/KAPPRoadmap
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Featured image courtesy of UP Diliman
