FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT of the College of Accountancy and Business (CAB) on the hybrid academic system and the switch to proper civilian attire in response to rising temperatures, students launched an appeal on April 20, calling for a possible switch to full online classes for the remainder of academic year 2025-2026.

Last April 19, CAB, through an advisory, enforced a mixed learning arrangement, where General Education (GenEd) subjects under the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) shifted to online, while major subjects from the CAB remained onsite—prompting students to question both its practicality and fairness. 

At the same time, the administration officially allowed the use of proper civilian attire, as a response to the increasing heat index, which has long been a concern in uniform policies.

Student leaders largely welcomed the shift in attire policy. “I strongly support the implementation of proper civilian attire policy due to the high heat index we are experiencing,” said Nico Delfin, Vice President for Internal Affairs (IVP) of the Junior Bedan Law Circle (JBLC).

Similarly, Denise Jewel E. Diaz, JBLC President, said the policy “enables students to move more comfortably during travel to/from and around campus.”

  However, for some students, the issue goes beyond comfort and highlights long-standing concerns on consistency in implementation. 

“For the past few months, it has been very burdensome for us na we are required to wear the uniform… With the rising heat index now, kailangan din tayong mag-adapt sa current needs,” said Jamber Idulsa, External Vice President (EVP) of the Bedan Advocacy and Enhancement Society (BACES).

He further criticized the shifting directives, noting how the University maintained “abstract uniform policies” during the season of heat surge and in general.

 “[A]ng hirap kasi every year… may uniform tapos late mag-change. O minsan, pabago-bago, sabi kung wala kang face-to-face class, pwede mag-civilian. Tapos biglang recently sinabi, kahit may online class ka, kailangan mo mag-uniform. Ang inconsistent lang natin, nagre-rely tayo sa memorandum from time to time,” he said. 

These issues are connected to the wider issue of hybrid class structure that is now becoming the focus of an appeal, especially when CAB again announced online classes from April 22 and 23 due to a strike to held by transport groups MANIBELA and PISTON.

According to Delfin, “the stance of our organization members are divided into two,” with some students pushing for a full transition to online classes, while others prefer to maintain onsite learning. He added that “the survey form for appeal is currently being disseminated to the students to determine the will of the majority.”

Diaz echoed this division, stating that “the student body’s response appears to be divided,” particularly between lower-year students who favor online classes and higher-year students who ought to maximize remaining onsite sessions.

Students also pointed to logistical challenges under the current arrangement. Delfin emphasized that “there is no sufficient time for the student to travel to attend his or her on-site class,” especially when online and onsite classes are scheduled consecutively.

Idulsa likewise noted that the setup provides limited relief for CAB students, saying, “For us, CAB, wala talaga siyang effect,” as many are still required to report onsite despite having some online classes.

Despite these concerns, student leaders, Diaz and Delfin, maintained that onsite instruction remains necessary for certain disciplines. 

“I believe that conducting on-site classes for our law subjects are more efficient and effective in terms of learning complex topics,” Delfin said, a view supported by Diaz, who emphasized that onsite learning allows deeper engagement in law subjects.

Moreover, they also underscored the need for policies that are both consistent and responsive to student realities as a petition regarding CAB shifting from face-to-face to full online. 

“My primary concern is for the school administration to cater the needs and sentiments of the students while ensuring their full participation and effective performance,” Delfin said.

Diaz, meanwhile, stressed that current conditions call for greater understanding, noting that “this period calls for empathy, particularly toward the most vulnerable and affected sectors.”

With both the academic setup and attire policies under scrutiny, CAB students continue to weigh comfort, accessibility, and academic effectiveness as they push for clearer and more responsive institutional decisions.

The Bedan has also reached out to a number of executive boards in CAB professional organizations for valuable insights, but as of press time, no response has been obtained.

(with Bianca Ashley L. Bitanga)