WITH THE DRY season in full effect, students from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) have felt increasing discomfort due to high and “dangerous” levels of heat reported throughout the country, prompting a response from San Beda University (SBU) and CAS administrators to ensure the health and well-being of Bedans attending face-to-face classes.
As a preventive measure to the severe weather conditions, the CAS Office of the Prefect of Student Discipline (OPSD) issued a memorandum allowing students to wear their “Type B” uniform from April 8 up until June 1.
CAS Dean, Prof. Christian Bryan Bustamante, PhD, also released a memorandum last April 13 suspending all outdoor activities to curb the effects of high temperatures from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., stretching until the end of the second semester of academic year (A.Y.) 2023-2024. This is based upon the advisory issued by the Department of Health (DOH) on “heat-related illnesses” and extreme weather conditions as a means to curb its effects.
In conjunction with the cancellation of outdoor activities, the Office of the Prefect of Student Activities (OPSA) has also decided to cancel the traditional Bedan Integration Week which was supposed to be held last April 22-26. In the announcement, it was stipulated that a further rescheduling could “no longer be afforded” as the suspension of classes would mean to consume time meant for the remaining six weeks for the semester.
After the Dean released a memorandum regarding the adjustment of activities, the CAS Prefect of Student Activities, Prof. Marvin Reyes, PhD, called a meeting with the organizations regarding the conduct of their activities. In order to plan the schedules around the time given to them, some organizations decided to conduct their activities between 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. or from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Alongside these time adjustments, the organizations also opted to conduct their activities either online or indoor.
In terms of long-term solutions to curb the heat, when asked about the adjustments for the academic calendar, Asst. Prof. Maria Pamela Tendero, MBA, the Administrative Officer of the CAS, stated that the target date was to revert the calendar to what it was before the pandemic. It must also be noted that A.Y. 2022-2023 began in September 2022 whilst A.Y. 2023-2024 began in August 2023.
The status quo
Speaking to The Bedan about their concerns on the rising temperatures further exacerbated by the dry season and the El Niño phenomenon, students hailing from different CAS academic departments shared their observations on the glaring effects of this intense heat and how the university’s offices are handling such a predicament.
Despite the lifting of the uniform policy and opting for a Type B alternative, it soon became very apparent that the conditions remain a grievous problem on the campus. “Marami talaga akong naririnig na reklamo na ang init, even I myself, I can be honest na kahit ako napapasabi niyan as soon as pumasok ako sa campus,” said Angela Correa, the Second-Year Representative of the Department of Political Science’s The Repvblic.
The number of students who have usually stayed in places such as the Lydia Tan Sy Building and the grandstand has greatly declined. This culminates in the students flocking to cooler places. Some have even resorted to utilizing vacant classrooms and leaving as soon as classes start. Most notably is the library which, in the past few days, has been struggling to accommodate seats for all students within its compounds.
Due to the crowded situation the library is in, it diminished its purpose of being a place of study and reading. “Nagkakaubusan minsan ng upuan, and medyo maingay kapag maraming tao na minsan hindi rin naman nila goal talagang mag-aral or magbasa, but they are there para lang magpalamig,” said Correa.
The scarcity of facilities to accommodate Bedans also became a gleaning issue in recent months. Lui Faye Navarro, a student from the Department of Legal Management, pointed out the “inadequacy” in comfortable places where students could sit, eat, and rest. This is crucial given the fact that the effects of the summer heat have restricted the movement of students, opting to stay indoors instead of roaming around the campus.
“…napansin ko na problemang kinakaharap ng mga estudyante ay kakulangan ng mga lugar kung saan pwede umupo/magpahinga or kumain yung mga students na presko sana—may maayos na ventilation or aircon,” Navarro added.
Recommendations from the student body
Among the recommendations of the Bedan students, prominent among them was the feasibility of the Type B uniform in order to better accommodate the harsh effects of the heatwave. “I think the Type B uniform is not really doing anything to [us] kasi—although mas better siya than our two-layered uniform—it would be great if the admin allow [sic] us to wear more presko outfits, such as sleeveless tops or jorts,” asserted Kasten Cheska Hernandez, a second-year student from the Department of Psychology.
However, according to Asst. Prof. Esther Cuaresma, MBA, the CAS Prefect of Discipline, there was a noticeable “uptick of violations” in times when students were allowed to wear civilian attire. “They are allowed to wear proper civilian attire, but they are not wearing proper civilian attire,” said Ms. Cuaresma.
As for Navarro, it is necessary that University administrators take precautionary steps to guarantee the safety and comfort of the students, including the installation of proper ventilation around the campus, as well as providing more tables and chairs for students to use, especially to those conducting their PATHFIT (Physical Education) classes.
“Ang naiisip ko na maari nilang gawin ay mag-provide or mag-set up ng lounging area o kahit chairs and tables kung saan minsan nag-coconduct ng PATHFIT—dahil doon ‘yung maluwag at presko—at lagyan sana ng mga maayos na fan, and ayusin ‘yung cooling systems sa mga canteen,” said Lui.
Ultimately, the current weather conditions is an issue felt all throughout the Bedan community, and as such, every small step is recognized. “It was really appreciated. Sana lang mas makinig pa sila sa suggestion ng students, and sana makasama namin ang student council sa pagpapabuti pa ng welfare ng lahat,” said Correa, as she discussed the current steps taken by the administration.
Regardless, Prof. Tendero assured students that the measures taken by the offices of the CAS were done for the wellbeing and conditions of the students in mind. “Well, anything that…any policies, or ‘yung memo, it’s always for the safety and for the sake of the students. Lagi naman, lagi’t lagi—it’s for the students,” she added, accentuating the potential risks of the effects of the dry season and assuring the comfortability of the students as the main priority of the administration.