{"id":5083,"date":"2022-08-12T21:47:43","date_gmt":"2022-08-12T13:47:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/csspsinag.wordpress.com\/?p=5083"},"modified":"2022-08-12T21:47:43","modified_gmt":"2022-08-12T13:47:43","slug":"issue-urgent-decisions-and-guidelines-an-open-letter-to-the-university","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/2022\/08\/12\/issue-urgent-decisions-and-guidelines-an-open-letter-to-the-university\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Issue urgent decisions and guidelines&#8217; &#8211; An open letter to the University"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>\u201cWe need a decisive shift of perspective towards returning to the University while consciously being aware of the risks from the virus so that our students, faculty, and staff can normalize and plan their academic lives. We need to give clear and timely guidance to our community; to facilitate and enable, rather than to limit, our return to our campuses.\u201d UP Diliman College of Science Dean Giovanni Tapang; on the UP transition to a blended learning plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n<!--noteaser-->\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-thumbnail\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/by-sinag-staff.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/by-sinag-staff.png?w=92\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3593\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>UP College of Science dean Prof. Giovanni Tapang amplified the call for the University to safely return to \u201cnormalcy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEducation is experiential. The best lessons are those taught through a combination of theory and practice in the laboratories, classrooms, studios, workshops, and in our communities,\u201d he expressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tapang asserted that physical interaction is crucial to be done face-to-face, alongside laboratory and field classes, regardless of the degree program.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA) earlier released the OVPAA Memorandum 2022-88, stating that UP Diliman is set to transition to blended learning for the upcoming 1st semester for A.Y. 2022\u20132023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Classes will be offered in three models: (1) blended online learning, employing a combination of asynchronous and synchronous online learning; (2) blended block learning, employing a combination of blocks of online learning (asynchronous and\/or synchronous) and f2f learning; and (3) classic blended learning, employing a combination of f2f and asynchronous online learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>READ: <a href=\"http:\/\/bitly.ws\/tmWQ\">http:\/\/bitly.ws\/tmWQ<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Classes with F2F components are set at a departmental level, in consideration of the courses&#8217; needs and expected learning outcomes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, since classes are mostly enlisted individually, numerous students raised concerns about possible challenges. Students, especially those from their provinces, may be compelled to attend the University for only a few classes in classic blended learning or blended block learning model.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some individuals have already stressed this, citing the struggles they have to put up with in terms of lodging and other logistical concerns. They likewise raise the vagueness and rather rushed dissemination of guidelines that are still yet to be finalized.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3pf6op6\">https:\/\/bit.ly\/3pf6op6<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, acquiring residence at or near the University can be hectic since UP Diliman Office of Student Housing dorm application and course enlistment will take place both this August. This adds a burden to the uncertainty of being granted a slot in any class with a F2F component. Such cases may pose logistic and financial problems, especially during the time of the pandemic and rising prices for basic necessities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prof. Tapang called for the University to set decisive and clear guidelines much earlier so that students, faculty, and staff can prepare adequately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prof. Tapang asserted, \u201c[s]tudents\u2026need to prepare to go back to the campus\u2026[W]e will have to face the reality of the high costs of transportation, daily provisions, and boarding house rents. However, we should not expect to solve the chronic problems of education as a precondition to normalize F2F instruction\u2026Our faculty has to be ready to provide mentoring to students, ensuring that learning is grounded in our social realities. Our staff need to see that the valuable support services they provide are much more effective when done in their offices in the campus. The University has to renormalize working in offices again while maintaining the digital workflows which have worked during the pandemic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe need to breathe life again to the University by resuming on-campus operations. We need our jeepneys to ply their usual routes, our food concessionaires to offer places to eat again, and restore other essential auxiliary services,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Last August 8, Monday, the ISKOnsultasyon: UPD Townhall on Ligtas na Balik-Eskwela was held.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>READ: <a href=\"http:\/\/bitly.ws\/tn2d\">http:\/\/bitly.ws\/tn2d<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Students who wish to participate in F2F class activities must first secure medical health insurance from UP Health Services (UPHS). Additionally, the 15-unit minimum will be restored, despite the lack of General Education (GE) units, to \u201cslowly\u201d transition to \u201cnormalcy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sectors within the university continue to clamor for a more inclusive and safe return to the campus. The Rise for Education &#8211; UP Diliman intensified these calls through the Student Agenda.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3Qvor6a\">https:\/\/bit.ly\/3Qvor6a<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The agenda emphasizes the need for student representation, ensuring assistance to students in terms of special needs, housing, health, and the demand for academic ease and defense for academic freedom and democratic rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Featured image courtesy of Giovanni Tapang<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/image-2.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/image-2.png?w=73\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4005\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cWe need a decisive shift of perspective towards returning to the University while consciously being aware of the risks from the virus so that our students, faculty, and staff can normalize and plan their academic lives. We need to give clear and timely guidance to our community; to facilitate and enable, rather than to limit, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":5087,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[122],"class_list":["post-5083","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-others"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sinag-web-banner-1-6.png","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1199,"url":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/2021\/05\/14\/arboretum-residents-block-up-admins-ocular-census-demolition-plans\/","url_meta":{"origin":5083,"position":0},"title":"Arboretum residents block UP admin&#8217;s ocular, census, demolition plans","author":"emdeborja","date":"14 May 2021","format":"image","excerpt":"For the residents and organizers, it is clear that the UP-PGH project is a sign of a more dire future for UP Arboretum. Earlier this morning, representatives from the UP Office of Community Relations (OCR), engineers, and architects went to Block 2 of Pook Arboretum to attempt an initial ocular\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/mag-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/mag-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/mag-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/mag-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/mag-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4651,"url":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/2022\/06\/07\/cssp-online-grad-not-final-sensing-dialogue-eyed\/","url_meta":{"origin":5083,"position":1},"title":"CSSP online grad, not final; sensing, dialogue eyed","author":"Staff","date":"7 June 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/sinag-web-banner-1-1-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/sinag-web-banner-1-1-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/sinag-web-banner-1-1-1.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/sinag-web-banner-1-1-1.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/sinag-web-banner-1-1-1.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/sinag-web-banner-1-1-1.png?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6022,"url":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/2023\/04\/02\/points-of-divergence\/","url_meta":{"origin":5083,"position":2},"title":"Points of Divergence","author":"Staff","date":"2 April 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"While all three candidates agree on many points of unity, they also disagree on several key issues. As we point out the differences between their answers and statements over the\u00a0past weeks, we ask: what sets each of them apart, and who represents the community\u2019s interests best? While all three candidates\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dsc_0232-1-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dsc_0232-1-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dsc_0232-1-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dsc_0232-1-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dsc_0232-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dsc_0232-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5229,"url":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/2022\/09\/03\/pushing-forward-genuine-visibility-inclusivity-gasc-adopts-resol-to-amplify-campaigns-for-disabled-stakeholders\/","url_meta":{"origin":5083,"position":3},"title":"Pushing forward genuine visibility &amp; inclusivity: GASC adopts resol to amplify campaigns for disabled stakeholders","author":"Staff","date":"3 September 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"The UP Diliman College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council (UPD CSSP SC), together with the UP Diliman College of Mass Communication Student Council (UPD CMC SC), proposed \u201ca resolution calling for intensified efforts and campaigns for a more inclusive university especially for disabled stakeholders,\u201d which was adopted during\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Features&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Features","link":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/category\/features\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sinag-web-banner-8-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sinag-web-banner-8-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sinag-web-banner-8-1.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sinag-web-banner-8-1.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sinag-web-banner-8-1.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sinag-web-banner-8-1.png?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5130,"url":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/2022\/08\/18\/take-decisive-action-towards-ensuring-genuine-ligtasnabalikeskwela-contend-up\/","url_meta":{"origin":5083,"position":4},"title":"&#8220;Take decisive action towards ensuring genuine #LigtasNaBalikEskwela&#8221; &#8211; CONTEND UP","author":"Staff","date":"18 August 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201cThe problems of the educational system before the pandemic started must not burden our decision to return to the campus. In fact, we can only address these problems once the UP community can again work together and learn from each other in the university. The abysmal conditions confronting the academic\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Others&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Others","link":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/category\/others\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sinag-web-banner-4-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sinag-web-banner-4-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sinag-web-banner-4-1.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sinag-web-banner-4-1.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sinag-web-banner-4-1.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sinag-web-banner-4-1.png?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1273,"url":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/2021\/05\/25\/new-ovcaa-memo-sets-june-19-deadline-to-complete-deferred-grades\/","url_meta":{"origin":5083,"position":5},"title":"New OVCAA memo sets June 19 deadline to complete deferred grades","author":"emdeborja","date":"25 May 2021","format":"image","excerpt":"Rules on academic delinquencies and retentions are also suspended for the rest of the second semester of A.Y. 2020-2021. The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA) released a memorandum dated May 24, 2021, Monday, regarding resolutions on changes within policies for the remainder of the second semester\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ssvd-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ssvd-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ssvd-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ssvd-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"authors":[{"term_id":122,"user_id":9,"is_guest":0,"slug":"csspsinag","display_name":"Staff","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/194807626fee183640d3de57e788ba7c8c0d40bd86bfc1237bed56bcd3832c1b?s=96&d=mm&r=g","0":null,"1":"","2":"","3":"","4":"","5":"","6":"","7":"","8":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5083"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5083\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5087"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5083"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5083"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5083"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=5083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}