This academic year, the University Student Government (USG) has initiated its thrust toward community engagement and social action.
The USG has developed an Advocacy Calendar where USG activities would adhere to a specific advocacy each month. The project has been running for the past two terms.
Open doors for volunteerism
The USG, through its Activities Assembly (AA), plans, designs and executes student activities, projects and programs. The assembly is composed of the USG Vice President for Internal Affairs who acts as chair, Vice President for External Affairs, college presidents and batch presidents. The Community Development Department under the AA, creates the programs that give the student body the opportunity to contribute to society.
Two of the most notable community service programs of the USG are Sagip Metro and Sagip Metro 2. Both are DLSU’s disaster relief effort in response to the casualties and loss brought about by Typhoon Ondoy in 2009 and Pedring, which struck this year. The USG works with different offices in the University, such as the Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA), Gawad Kalinga DLSU (GK DLSU), and the Office of Student Leadership, Involvement, Formation, and Empowerment (SLIFE), among others.
Students and employees were asked to donate food and non-food items via donation boxes located around the University.
Efforts equate result?
As with other USG activities, information dissemination is vital to the success of the various projects. The USG has been using various publicity tools including booths, posters, social networking sites and text blasts to inform students about the USG’s undertakings as a commitment to community engagement.
In relation to Sagip Metro 2, the USG has been quick to respond during times of calamity as each unit immediately releases publicity materials calling for donations and volunteers.
Publicity efforts, however, might still be insufficient as student turnout for some outreach programs is still low.
Jenny Yupangco (III, ECED) believes that posters and other publicity materials are insufficient to motivate students to volunteer. Yupancgo believes information dissemination must not be limited to such mediums.
“A lot of students are actually willing, but they do not know how and do not know what to do to take part,” she shares.
For USG President Cabe Aquino, the greatest challenge is not the number of volunteers, but on the students’ attitude toward serving. “It is not the lack of volunteers. It is [about] getting in touch with the students, communicating with them, inspiring them and motivating them to volunteer,” she shares.
DLSU President Br. Jun Erguiza FSC believes that there is a lack of social consciousness among students. Because of this, Lasallians may not be motivated enough to take the initiative to help when needed.
“When we get hit by situations or calamities, we are encapsulated by all the difficulties and then therefore, there is a tendency to close one’s eyes to realities,” he furthers.
Aquino explains that although people unite during the presence of crises, she is disappointed that many students wait for calamities to happen before they respond.
She shares that the USG creates seminars and other programs to raise awareness about the different volunteering opportunities offered in the University and the benefits one can get from volunteering. They invite advocates, politicians, and other personalities to speak about their respective advocacies, and to inform students about social realities and the avenues in which they can volunteer.
Technical issues
Along with the lack of motivation or awareness, logistical problems also hinder many students from engaging in such activities.
ROTARACT President Kristina Ang explains that due to conflicting schedule brought by members’ academics and other extra-curricular activities, some students are unable to devote their time.
Many students are also dependent on class-related incentives. Some professors provide incentives to students for their participation in outreach programs. Some students, in effect, volunteer solely for the aforementioned incentives, and not out of a sincere desire to serve.
“Yung sense of volunteerism ng mga Lasallians parang obligation lang. Ang pansin ko mag-dodonate lng sila (actually tau) kapag may incentives parang sa TRED [Lasallians’ sense of volunteerism is merely obligatory. I noticed that people only donate when incentives are offered like in TRED (classes)]” shares Bea Sorneo (III, ISE)
