Legislative Assembly continues discussions on handbook revisions

The Legislative Assembly (LA) held a session last July 18 to further their discussions on Student Handbook revisions, particularly in the Student’s Charter. The LA began the session with approving the institutionalization and deinstitutionalization guidelines of the University Student Government (USG).

These proposed guidelines covered how USG projects would be evaluated, institutionalized, and abolished.

Much of the discussion was centered on the penalties when an approved project would fail to push through, specifically on whether the punishment should result in the project being placed in a probationary status or the officers-in-charge being reprimanded for their actions.

The matter was finally settled when some of the legislators clarified that the persons involved would simply be charged with gross negligence and that there was no need to include additional provisions for the penalties.

Afterwards, revisions on certain parts of the Student’s Charter was put on the table, including provisions on academic evaluation and safety within the campus.

It was then followed by resolutions on creating new provisions in the charter such as rights to equal access of facilities, rights to viewing pertinent school documents, and rights to reasonable pricing of commodities inside the University.

One of the major proposed additions to the charter was regarding the rights of a student to have his grades changed during Grade Consultation Day and be informed of any changes that may occur thereafter.

The proponents shared instances of professors passing their students during Grade Consultation, but later failing them. This, they explained, was done so that their students would choose not to attend consultation anymore.

The legislators argued that students should be entitled to know any of these changes and be given the right to question them and have them corrected in the soonest possible time.

The LA then proceeded to discuss discipline-related policies, which includes the no eating policy and ID-related policies.

The proponents of changing the eating policy explained that there is an inconsistency with the rule since some professors would allow light snacks to be eaten during class, but would still be apprehended if the SDFO catches them in the act. Because of this, they proposed that eating should be permitted inside the classroom provided that the food would not disrupt the ongoing class, and also be permitted in study areas provided that the place would remain conducive for learning.

Meanwhile, the proponents of changing the ID policy argued that the penalties in leaving behind and losing an ID were too severe for students, especially the 600 peso fine. They instead proposed that the SDFO would only issue a warning on the 3rd time, still render service on the 4th time, and incur a minor offense only on the 5th time for both left and lost ID. The corresponding fine would also be dropped.

The meeting ended with the LA approving all 10 resolutions in the agenda.
The LA intend on having two special sessions in the following week.
The venue, as of press time, has not yet been announced.