TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the concerns forwarded after the Usap Tayo: The Year Level Representative Talakayan last November 3, the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Student Council (SC) launched a “Hygiene Corner” and a rent-a-locker system last November 13 and 16, respectively.
Beige Benedict Campbell, the SC Second-Year Representative, spearheaded the “Usap Tayo: The Year Level Representative Talakayan” discourse with the aim of “lobbying” the educational challenges “that hinder the growth of each student present in San Beda University (SBU).”
While representatives forwarded a number of concerns through Privilege Speeches, the “lack of ventilation in the Snack Bar, weak internet connection in certain campus areas, lack of facilities, and the locker system were the ones highlighted. This then prompted the SC to post a Quick Response (QR) code on their Facebook page calling for students’ “thoughts and insights” on the San Beda Canteen and Snack Bar.
Campbell addressed after the forum, “Sa canteen natin na sobrang usok na hindi ka na makakakain dahil nga it has risks din sa health mo lalo na kung may hika ka sa sobrang usok dahil wala nga tayong proper ventilation.”
Moreover, he also spoke on the lack of sanitation stations, saying “Hindi present sa ating mga CR na wala tayong mga napkin. Oo may napkin tayo pero sa bookstore pa, bibili ka pa doon, bababa ka pa. Eh, paano naman ‘yung mga female students natin na hindi alam, or bigla nalang nagkaroon. So, hindi sila ready.”
Hence, such became the reason why the SC introduced the “Hygiene Corner” stationed at the SC Office last November 13. The Corner provides all-year provisions of free essential products such as sanitary pads, hand sanitizers, tissue, and dental floss for CAS students.
In addition, previously in the “Usap Tayo” forum, Political Science representatives requested the use of lockers due to their congested schedules. At that time, Campbell told The Bedan that “[SC] President Mari Okol [was] working hand in hand with IVP [Amir Hussin] and the administrations na mas gumana na and magamit na ng students ang locker system.”
As such, taking the initiative into fruition, the SC finally implemented a Locker Rental system last November 16 where CAS Students, before anything else, would have to scan the QR code or click the link posted on their Facebook page to reserve a slot to a personal locker with a fee of Php250 per semester.
Other concerns addressed at the Council Meeting were more batch and organizational events, campus guards’ implementations on improper dress codes, mental health issues because of academic loads, gaps between students and administrators, overlapping non-academic events with academics, and early closing of the CAS Library.
(with reports from Myrna Ydwina Xialea A. Pelayo)