HOW DOES A moment last forever? For San Beda University (SBU), the answer seems uncertain following the planned launch of the Accountancy and Business cluster of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) to stand on its own as the “College of Accountancy and Business” (CAB), to be fully implemented by A.Y. 2026-2027.
Following the presentation of the plans for the new college by CAS Dean Christian Bryan Bustamante, PhD last August 13, students, along with members of the Student Organization Circle (SOC), reflected on the future of their respective organizations and the new system that the college’s creation brings.
Compromised partnerships and funds
Speaking on behalf of The Repvblic (TR), the professional organization of the Department of Political Science, which will remain part of the programs offered under the CAS, its Vice President for Internal Affairs, Angela Jane Correa, contends that the establishment of the new college will clearly “affect professional organizations” as well, especially in regard to the “conduct of partnerships” to various organizations in the future.
“Dahil nga magkakaroon na ng split, malaki ‘yung factor na maraming mababago especially doon sa mga ways ng pag-initiate ng partnerships, as well as…hindi natin pa sigurado kung paano ‘yung magiging kalakaran when it comes to that,” Correa added.
She also claimed that the establishment would result in a reduction of the “general fund,” which had served as the primary source of financial support in the conduct of activities for both professional and non-professional organizations.
Correa maintained that funds are essential since “alam naman natin na ang isang organization ay hindi siya mapapatakbo kung walang funds.”
Uncertainties for non-professional organizations
Basti AS Mangaliag, the Bedan Business Spectrum’s (BBS) Director for External Business Linkages, likewise concurred that the establishment of the CAB would impact the structure of the CAS, most especially in the system practiced by non-professional organizations.
Being a member of two non-professional organizations, in addition to being the President of Kapisanang Agham ng San Beda (KASB), the professional organization of the Department of Natural Sciences, Mangaliag underscored the “vital role” of funds in the conduct of an organization’s many affairs.
As such, with the forthcoming change in the CAS, funds allocated for student organizations, as well as the accompanying internal paper processes involved, would be compromised, or at the very least significantly altered.
While Mangaliag recalled that the Dean’s August 13 presentation opined the possibility of unifying the organizations that would be made available to both students of CAS and CAB, the issue on document processing still stands. A unified system would entail the involvement of two administrations, prompting him to ask:” If meron tayong dalawang signatory for [the position of] Dean, paano ‘yung magiging process natin?”
Nonetheless, Mangaliag remains “hopeful” that the concerns will be settled, expressing his wish that the voices of the studentry be given due weight. Looking ahead, he envisions the creation of a “centralized student organization” and sees potential in fostering “stronger communication” with other colleges on campus.
In the business and leadership setting
As for Kiel Tenchavez, a third-year Human Resource Management student, member of the Student Council Executive Committee (SCEC) and Bedan Advocacy Consciousness Enhancement Society (BACES), he felt as if there was a lack in clarifying how the division would take place.
While the Dean Bustamante took charge of the presentation, appearing as a representative for CAS, Tenchavez wished that there was a representative from CAB or the transitioning committee who stood alongside the CAS Dean to aid in clarifying the concerns of the would-be CAB students.
“…Siguro, dun sa naging talk kanina, much better siguro if meron naging representative sa, nabanggit niya kanina na meron daw, if I remember correctly, transitioning committee. Sana merong representative from them para nasasagot yung questions ng mga students,” he expressed.
Although, according to him, it was not a main concern at the time, Tenchavez still stressed wanting to know how the student activity budget will be disseminated and how their dynamics as members of SCEC will shift.
“Kasi, for example, sa committee ko, ‘yung head ko is from Psychology, tapos ako malilipat ako sa COB [sic] since I’m a human resource student. So, paano yung mangyayaring ganu’n?” he said.
In favor of unification
Representing his advocacy and identity, third-year Legal Management student and BACES President, Reuben de Leon, echoed the same concerns as to how the separation will take place among the students.
After attending the presentation, de Leon was left with the same thoughts as when he came in. “I wasn’t really clarified, or nothing was crystallized when it comes to the non-professional organizations. The answer that I got, well, from listening is that they are still planning on it as they go,” said de Leon.
While he acknowledges how the administrators aim to prioritize the academic aspect, he wished that the extra-curricular aspect was also given the same clarification for “..sooner or later, more and more students would actually ask about it.”
Speaking from the heart of his organization, De Leon would have preferred BACES to become institutionalized, as he claims that it stands for every Bedan who wishes for their societal consciousness to be enhanced, regardless of their program.
As the establishment of a new college takes place as a step for the University’s overall development, Bedans have been left with a cloud of uncertainty, especially with the structure of what gives heart to university life, the non-professional organizations. While hopes of resolving such concerns may come before its full implementation, many share the same sentiments of being separated from the familiar community they’ve long nurtured their sense of belongingness in.
These sentiments develop into a need for assurance and while the student leaders take the stand in the forefront of this upcoming change, the student body deems such endeavors in need of a collaborative spirit from the administrators so that they may foster enlightenment to full-fledged support from the students in the establishment of a new college.