A DECISIVE VOTE marked a new chapter for the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) student body as the CAS Student Council (SC) ratified its new Constitution during a reconvened Student Assembly at the Jonathan Sy Auditorium last February 18.
The assembly gathered homeroom presidents, elected framers, and members of the San Beda – Electoral Board (ELBO) to present the final draft for comments and approval. A quorum of CAS attendees recorded 23 votes in favor, two abstentions, and four spoiled ballots, formally affirming the revisions.
The constitutional revision comes in the wake of the separation of the College of Accountancy and Business (CAB) programs from CAS, prompting months of consultation with administrators, student leaders, and sectoral representatives to realign the governing document with the college’s current structure.
Key areas of revision include election procedures, transparency mechanisms, and accountability measures.
Contributor Lenard Ebora emphasized the importance of amplifying student voices in the process, saying, “What personally drive me to step up into this change is the people itself, the student body, the students’ needs. I want to assure that their voices are to be heard, that we can be a tool for change.”
He pointed to the election provisions as among the most consequential updates, framing them as essential to strengthening democratic processes within the council.
“Parang welga, welga natin dun sa sistema… we aim to continuously improve not just ourselves, but also the system, our society, in order for our community to thrive,” he said.
CAS SC President Mitziko Yema identified the amendment addressing the Student Council Auditor position as the revision’s most critical change, one made necessary by the college’s restructuring.
“I think the most significant change in the Constitution was the amendment for the Student Council Auditor. If we do not ratify this Constitution, there would be no auditor na pwedeng mag-run for the CAS since we don’t have accountancy programs,” Yema said.
The revised Constitution also introduces clearer language around impeachment and the removal of officers, closing gaps that had left room for interpretation under the previous framework.
“Because really the Student Council out of all the officers should be accountable. And we have to have a framework that is specific with the impeachment and the removal,” Yema said.
She described the document as a legacy for the college, urging future councils to treat it as a living framework subject to continued refinement as the institution evolves.
Yema closed with a call for greater student engagement in campus governance. “As Bedans we have to be attentive and participate. Kasi tayo tayo lang rin yung magbe-benefit sa changes na yun,” she said.
Following ratification, the Council’s next steps include submitting the Constitution to the Office of the Prefect of Student Affairs (OPSA) for official review and publishing the document online to ensure broad student access.