IN A NUTSHELL: A rundown on DLSU 2015

With both achievements and challenges faced by the Lasallian community, 2015 was a whirlwind year for DLSU. At the onset of a new year and a new term, The LaSallian reviews the notable events in 2015 that took place inside the University.

Year of “news”

The past year has brought about different changes and beginnings for the University. It welcomed new appointments, particularly the designation of Br. Raymundo Suplido FSC as the University’s President, succeeding the newly appointed Pacific-Asia Regional Conference (PARC) General Councilor of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools Br. Ricardo Laguda FSC and interim President and Chancellor Br. Dennis Magbanua FSC.

Sharing the responsibility of leading the Lasallian community is the newly appointed University Chancellor Dr. Gerardo Janairo.

The University also implemented the new academic calendar, pursuant to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) integration. Students were given a four-month break before the official start of the first term on August 24. Within that break, the University also offered a special term from May 6 to July 30.

By the start of the new term, the University had established upgrades for students spaces and transferring of different departments into their new offices.

New policies and student handbook

Along with the new academic year came the revised DLSU Student Handbook, to be used from 2015 to 2018.

The mandatory policy of worn IDs of DLSU students, faculty, administrators, and personnel in the school premises was agreed upon in a meeting with the President’s Council in January 2015. According to the directive, the new policy intends to improve campus security processes. The policy was made effective at the start of the special term.

Other inclusions in the new revision are the mandatory drug testing, non-smoking policy, changes in the classifications of acts of lewdness, changes in the eating policy, additions regarding the anti-bullying act, additions regarding scalping of tickets (especially UAAP tickets), and changes in the regulations regarding approved absences.

Milestones and everything in between

The University also had a fair share of glory and issues. The DLSU College of Law (DLSU-COL) surpassed expectations especially owing to its young and developing nature. The COL attained a 56.52 percent passing rate, with 26 out of 46 graduates passing the Bar.

During the same year, the University suspended the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program for AY 2015-2016 over reports of hazing happening within its Cadet Officer Candidate Course. The reports were brought about after the death of a De La Salle-College of St. Benilde student in June 2014 due to hazing. As of press time, the program is still suspended and undergoing evaluation.

It was also a long and winding political journey for the University Student Government (USG). Elections for vacant positions in the student government was plagued by major drawbacks throughout the year.

In March 2015, the USG Commission on Elections (COMELEC) disqualified ineligible candidates of the General Elections (GE), clearing out Santugon sa Tawag ng Panahon’s entire slate and allowing only 36 candidates from Alyansang Tapat sa Lasallista to run. By April 2015, official winners for the GE were released with only six out of 75 positions filled. The GE voting turnout was recorded at only 35.9 percent.

The GE crisis resulted to the need for Special Elections that pushed through in October 2015. Though some complications existed during its run, it turned out successful after reaching the minimum number of voters turnout. The new set of USG officers were inducted on November 6 of last year.

Then-incumbent Executive Treasurer Rupert Laurel, Vice President for External Affairs Mae Mae Gonzales, and EXCEL2015 Batch President Zed Laqui were also put on trial after undergraduate student Norben Sagun, Jr. filed complaints on the grounds of gross negligence of duty and illegal disbursement of funds. Gonzales and Laurel were found guilty and were asked to issue a public apology. However, charges on Laqui were dropped after the court ruled out a not guilty decision.

Dawn of a new breed

On October 29, the University Chancellor confirmed that the University will open its doors to the first batch of Senior High School students in June 2016. Applications for De La Salle University Integrated School (DLSU IS) started last November 23. The lean years from 2016 to 2018 will bring forth a drop of freshmen admissions to the University, and as a consequence, a drop in the teaching load of professors.

The Senior High School will provide three specialized academic strands: Accountancy, Business, and Management; Humanities and Social Science; and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It will also guarantee DLSU IS senior high graduates an automatic admission to DLSU’s undergraduate programs upon their completion of grade 12, provided that they meet the academic requirements of their chosen course.