According to Article XI of the the University Student Government (USG) Constitution, College Student Governments (CSG) are accountable for handling college-based affairs and the general needs of their respective batches. Furthermore, they organize and implement programs for their respective colleges towards the full implementation of the CSGs’ vision and mission.
Delivering the CSGs’ projects
For Computer Science Government President Jorge Francisco, connecting all student organizations to collaborate with each other is his government’s achievement in the College of Computer Studies (CCS). Through meetings of the One CCS Council—a student body composed of all elected officers and all organization heads—they were able to “assess each student organization’s core competencies and see how the student government can supplement it.”
Sharing the same sentiments, School of Economics Government (SEG) President Chloe Cheng conveys that “a government can only work if the people it serves are willing to be served in the first place.” She adds, “Being able to establish SEG’s presence as a [student] government willing to serve is a pretty big achievement for me.” She also adds that the University’s stakeholders are of equal importance as any other collaborators with the SEG.
On the other hand, College Government of Education President Cel Cruz asserts that establishing relationships between the College of Education (CED) and the administration was the main accomplishment of her sector, and that college empowerment was also observed.
“There is a significant change in the engagement of the students in the projects—both as participants and the organizing team. Although I admit that there will always be more room for improvement, I believe that empowerment for the college will always be the first step,” claims Cruz.
Meanwhile, the Business College Government (BCG) aims to foster holistic growth of its students and further empower excellence among its constituents. With emphasis on encouraging students to embody a globally-competitive identity, BCG President Rizza Tan expresses that during the first term of academic year 2016-2017, College of Business (COB) students had been offered “various external opportunities such as leadership programs and competitions by top multinational and local companies.” Annual programs that foster student engagement in planning sessions and conversations were also being revamped.
As for the DLSU Science and Technology Center (DLSU-STC), Science and Technology Center Government (STCG) President Kristian Sisayan describes that helping integrate the two campuses had been the prime accomplishment of his term.
“This year, we have continued to establish a foundation for the STCG, as we would want this student government to work alongside the visions for the campus. Establishing a dynamic campus life is what we have been aiming for STC, and we have been achieving this goal little by little. Additionally, we have constantly been in contact with the administration to ensure that STC does not get left out in [University-wide] concerns,” Sisayan notes.
The LaSallian has also reached out to Arts College Government President Gabbie Perez and Engineering College Government President Justine Bascon, but was denied an interview.
Student engagement
College governments implement programs for the affairs and needs of their students. It contributes to the overall internal and external growth in the University. However, such programs require the students’ participation for it to push through and become a success.
In gauging the CCS students’ participation, Francisco expresses that feedback is an efficient tool to meadure them. Data gathered from this feedback is used to strengthen proposals for improvement in the college and in the University.
For Cruz, CED students’ participation “fairly increased” in terms of being part of the organizing committees and in projects. Cruz knows that there is more room for improvement but likewise ensures that CGE will “provide avenues and opportunities that the students of CED need and deserve.”
Since BCG’s vision was to target the COB students’ interests, Tan reports that the student engagement was respectively commendable. “We’ve organized talks by Unilever, Globe, Uber, Colgate-Palmolive, JP Morgan Chase & Co., P&G, among others, and we always achieve full house participants,” Tan notes.
The same can be said with the STC students. Sisayan provides that “though there may still be problems [on] student apathy, we could say that our fellow students still actively participate. Aside from that, they have also been responding well [about] the publicity materials for events in STC.”
For Cheng, student services and representation should be the focus of student governments since organizations already take on the role as the activity-generating arm. “In terms of services, I can see that students have been availing of services we offer, but of course we always try to innovate the way we do things and ensure that we give what the students need so that we can help more people,” Cheng adds.
Emphasis on upcoming projects
In light with the recent successes of the CSG’s respective projects, the College Presidents provide general insights on their upcoming projects. Francisco emphasizes the CCS Month which will be held this coming May to June. “With CCS Month, we want to put our students at the center of efforts to promote and to recognize our college,” he expresses.
Sisayan on the other hand emphasizes their future project plans for the STC campus including the proposed establishment of a campus week or STC week, pioneering a Career Fair, and possibly the creation of a TEDxDLSUSTC event. He also mentions that STC will become even livelier next academic term, as most legacy activities will be done by May to August.
Sisayan and the STCG aim to create a unified STC because they believe that the campus is home to students from different educational stages. “We also would like to establish more collaborations with the Senior High and the Integrated School as this would make the campus life in STC much more vibrant,” she adds.
SEG and Science College Government (SCG) share the same sentiments of maintaining their momentum of performing well and providing more student services throughout the year.
SCG President Kyle Junsay discloses that they will be helping the students foster their capabilities by empowering their service towards others, specifically in maximizing their talents and sharing it to others. Additionally, SCG will provide flagship projects such as ATOMS, Science Builders Program, and Synthesis which will be launched next month.
Junsay further explains, “ATOMS and Synthesis will be a two-part event which will be a research congress and a research program for the students, and will not be limited to just the COS. Science Builders Program is a program for a teaching assistance program for the students. This will enable them to be a disciple of their chosen professor and will be rewarded incentives that will cater them in their work.”
As the academic year is nearing its end, the College Presidents cite that they will continue their commitments on learning from various sectors of the University, listening to the suggestions of students, encouraging more participation from the students, and looking for more opportunities for the students to grow and develop in their respective disciplines.
