1301st BOR Report

8/11/2019 1301st BOR Report

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Assistant Secretary Virginia Ocampo sent a letter to all Chancellors and the Dean of UP

Cebu for an assessment of the dormitory situation. The members of the Board were

provided copies of their replies for further study. Here, SR Macuha maximized the

opportunity to reiterate his report on the proposed increase in fees for the food service of

Kalayaan, Ilang-ilang, and Molave Residence Halls in UP Diliman. The student regentlikewise raised other problems that the students face in other units.

List of UP Alumni for Sports Development as requested by Regent Albarracin)

Dr. Jose Wendell Capili, Director of the Office of Alumni Relations, presented to the Board

a list of UP alumni benefactors for UPs sports development. He also added that in order

to facilitate better relations with the alumni, UP Diliman Chancellor Dr. Michael Tan shall

institute an Office of Alumni Relations, being the sole UP Unit without such office.

Regent Senator Pia Cayetano reiterated the need for UP to improve its services for sports

development. Regent Albarracin then asked Dr. Capili and Alumni Regent PoncianoRivera if it would be possible to have a definite amount to ask for each so that there

would be a definite target to be set. SR Macuha also raised that he hopes that the

support that UP Diliman varsity are getting, as pointed out by the regent senator, be the

same with other varsity from other units. He noted that varsity members from other units

are likewise representing the University but without sufficient support.

1298

th

BOR Meeting 30 June 2014

Approval of the Board of Regents of the Amended 2012 Code of Student Conduct of UP

Diliman Incorporating the Boards Action at its 298

th

Meeting on 30 June 2014 and

Other Amendements

Dr. Milagros Laurel presented to the Board an updated copy of the 2012 Code of Student

Conduct, which now includes the one-year residency requirement for acceptance to

fraternities and sororities. On the student regents inquiry whether it needs to be

approved by the Board, Secretary Lillian De Las Llagas clarified that it was a lapse on the

part of the OSU to put approval. She said that Dr. Laurels presentation was just a report.

SR Macuha then reiterated his earlier position against the 2012 Code, and requested for

a soft copy of the said document for information dissemination. Dr. Laurel answered that

the copy shall be posted on the UP Diliman website for everyones information.

Approval of the Institution of Tuition and Laboratory Fees in the Professional Masters in

Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management PM-TMEM) Program

Vice President for Administration Dr. Maragtas Amante discussed to the Board the

process in which the tuition and laboratory fees of the said program have undergone.

While SR Macuha agreed with VP Amante, he likewise reported that student councils

concerned raised their objection with the high fees (Php 2500/unit for tuition, Php 3500

for lab fees) that the program will collect. He also noted the sentiment of the UPLB

Graduate School Student Council that such fees must not be the basis for increasing the

tuition collected for graduate students in UPLB. The Office shares the same sentiments.

Regent Representative Roman Romulo asked Vice President Amante about the processthat shall be followed, regardless of what the student regent had said. Secretary De Las


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Llagas was quick to point that there should be consultation with students, student

councils, and the Office about such. The student regent shall then report to the Board of

his assessment. The secretary likewise noted that the student regent must be present in

such consultations. SR Macuha clarified that he was not invited to any consultation, nor

was discussed personally on the said fees; there was only written communication about

the matter. Regent Representative Romulo inquired again if such steps were followed,noting that he do not want any complains of not being consulted before instituting the

fees for the program. He added that the Board were given insufficient information in

order to assess the fees to be implemented, further saying that he wants to hear where

the students were objecting on the proposal. Vice President Amante clarified that such

concerns were already been addressed to.

Faculty Regent Lourdes Abadingo clarified whether the said rules to be followed for

graduate programs be the same as the undergraduates. SR Macuha pointed that office

must be consulted in any case as he represents all students, pointing out further that he

himself is a graduate student. Staff Regent Anna Razel Ramirez then reported that the

fees to be imposed was discussed to her thoroughly, and said to the proponents thatthey should discuss it with SR Macuha too. SR Macuha argued again that no thorough

discussion was given to him, and agreed with Regent Romulo, thus asking to defer the

matter. President Pascual asked VP for Academic Affairs Dr. Gisela Concepcion, who

belongs to the proposing institute, when they want to implement the program. Vice

President Concepcion said that they shall start as soon as the Board approve the fees,

and noted that the high fees justifiable as it would cover trips needed, and would be

cheaper as the program is just a one-year non-thesis Professional Masters degree.

Chair Licuanan terminated the debate, instructed the proponents to provide ample

documentation from the members of the BOR and eventually deferred the matter. The

Board agreed.

REPORTS

Report of the President

President Pascual included in his report his statement on the Secretary Abad incident as

earlier, members of the Board requested that the incident be discussed. Regent Senator

Cayetano agreed with the position of President Pascual saying that she also released a

statement condemning it. She also asks for a statement from the Office. SR Macuha

replied that his statement is included in the student regents report.

The President also reported on the media briefing he held last 3 September 2014 at the

UP Executive House, reiterating his position that UPs problem on democratization is

admission and not tuition. SR Macuha reserves his reply on his report.

Report of the Faculty Regent

Faculty Regent Abadingo reported her request for extension of the tenure or out policy

of the University citing the Academic Calendar Shift as the reason. She also reported

several issues on faculty promotions such as the requirement of a PhD degree for

crossing rank, and what criteria does it take for a publication to be cited as acceptable in

the University.


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SR Macuha added the case of UPLB raised to him by several UPLB faculty, who are

concurrently graduate students of UP. According to him, the requirement of an

ISI/SCOPUS journal serves as disadvantage especially to those who are in the field of

Social Sciences and Humanities. Together with FR Abadingo, he asks President Pascual

and Vice President Concepcion to release a clarificatory statement on the requirements

of faculty promotions. Regent Senator Cayetano also supported that the doublestandards on publications to be accepted is unfair to the faculty who have worked hard

to publish their work, only to be discarded by the promotions committee. The vice

present on academic affairs responded that faculty promotions were being reviewed by a

committee, and that those issues were already resolved in the Presidential Advisory

Committee. She added that requirements vary on a case to case basis, but maintained

that academic excellence be the most important requirement above all on promotions.

The faculty regent ended her report by reiterating that her term would expire on

December 2014, and asked Vice President Concepcion to commence the selection of

her successor at the soonest time possible.

Report of the Student Regent

SR Macuha seeks clarification on an article in a major daily quoting President Pascual

that UP and tertiary education is not a right but rather a privilege. The president was

quick to note that he believes that education is a right, and shares the sentiment of SR

Macuha. He said that the daily may have misquoted him, and requests SR Macuha to

help him clarify the issue. The student regent said that he would do so, and asks the

President to also clarify the said position on the newspaper. SR Macuha argued that it is

quite alarming that President Pascual would said such remarks especially that he is the

head of the national university. Having said this, the Office hopes that President Pascual

would be true to his word and uphold that UP education is a right, and institute policiestowards its realization.

SR Macuha also asked the Board whether they could release a resolution asking both

houses of the Philippine Congress to increase the budget of SUCs. President Pascual and

Chair Licuanan questioned the need saying that they have already did so. Regent

Representative Romulo also asked some clarification on what purpose shall the

resolution be, but he acknowledged that such would be helpful especially that he wants

to file an amendment for such increments. SR Macuha answered that his intent was to

ensure that the BOR supports the fight for higher state subsidy on education. Other

members suggested writing a letter instead to the Philippine Congress for that purpose. It

would be helpful that the call includes SUCs. SR Macuha gladly accepted this.

SR Macuha explained his position on the Sec. Abad incident. He noted that the issue

must be raised beyond the morality issue, and asked the Board to stand for democratic

rights and against corruption. Regent Senator Cayetano expressed her disappointment

for not releasing a statement similar to hers. She also said that as much as SR Macuha

was dissatisfied to them for not standing against corruption, she is similarly saddened for

the student regents stance for the protesters. SR Macuha respectfully declined the

senators request to release a similar statement as he believes that the actions made by

the protesters were right according to their rights. He also noted that infamous secretary

have done so much abuse over his power that he cannot see the fault of the protesters,

but rather such actions was triggered by the series of actions and events leading to the


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incident. Regent Senator Cayetano appreciated SR Macuhas candidness on his

response but reiterated her disappointment.

Lastly, the student regent thanked the regent senator for here positive response on his

letter asking for support to cover the medical expenses still owed by UP Visayas students

in an accident(Details of which were included in last meetings report).

GENERAL GOVERNANCE

Appointment of University Officials

The Board appointed Dr. Dennis Mapa, lone Nominee, as Dean of UP Diliman School of

Statistics.

UP Los Baos UP Manila and UP VIsayas Chancellor Selection

Chair Licuanan called for an executive session to discuss the selections. The Board

agreed that in order to be fair to all of the nominees, incriminating parts of the

discussions and the tally of the voting shall not be announced.

UP VIsayas

Dr. Rommel Espinosa, incumbent Chancellor of UP Visayas was given by the Board a

second term citing that no outstanding issues have been raised during his term. In

addition, several issues raised being deemed as rectifiable.

The Office congratulates Dr. Espinosa for once again being selected to lead UP Visayasfor the next three years. Dr. Espinosa have always supported student welfare during his

tenure as the UP Visayas Chancellor, and is worthy of the second term that the Board has

entrusted him. The Office hopes that the pro-student and pro-people stance of

Chancellor Espinosa would continue and looks forward to continue working with him.

UP Manila

Philippine Genome Center Director, Dr. Carmencita Padilla was selected by the Board as

the next Chancellor of UP Manila due to her accomplishments and track record.

The Office extends its heartfelt commendations on Dr. Padillas selection. During theSearch Process for the next UP Manila Chancellor, Dr. Padilla stood out as the most pro-

student among all nominees. Having discussed her plans to SR Macuha personally, the

Office hopes that such would be pushed through. The OSR also hopes that all

undemocratic, anti-student, and anti-people policies be overturned by Chancellor-select

Padilla, and uphold a collegial, democratic, pro-student, and pro-people type of

governance for UP Manila. The Office is also happy to learn that Dr. Padilla welcomes the

UP Manila Student Agenda, and hopes to work with her for forwarding student and

peoples welfare in her constituent unit.

UP Los Baos


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The Board discussed thoroughly the pros and cons of each candidate for UPLB. Being the

unit in which no candidate truly emerged, it took a while before the members of the

Board to select the next Chancellor of UPLB. In the end, the Regents opted to select

current Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development, Dr. Fernando Sanchez Jr., as the

next Chancellor of the oldest constituent unit of the UP System.

The Office congratulates Dr. Sanchez on his selection. Dr. Sanchez promised a collegial

environment for UPLB, in which we would like to bank on. The Office also hopes that

Chancellor-select Sanchez to uphold an objective, collegial, democratic, pro-student, and

pro-people type of governance for UPLB, as he condemned during the selection process

the alleged intense politicking, if any, that is supposedly happening at the university. We

hope to work with him in forwarding student and peoples welfare in UPLB.

For Chancellor Rex Victor Cruz, the Office extends its deepest gratitude and highest

commendations for his service as chancellor of UPLB. Unlike his predecessor, Chancellor

Cruz practiced democratic governance as evidenced by his frequent consultations and

support for student welfare in UPLB. Despite some disagreements, he continued to listento the students and worked toward realizing his vision of providing students the best

service that it could provide. For that, the Office, especially SR Macuha, would like to

thank Dr. Cruz for all his support for the students, and hopes him the best in his future

endeavors.

FISCAL MATTERS

The board approved every item under this main agenda.

SR Macuha however clarified that the PHP 5 million Special Endowment Fund be solely

used in Financial Assistance Program for Hospitalization of UPM Employees and not asthe seed money for the PGH Insurance Scheme as the same amount was reported to be

used for it. He cited that since the insurance was deferred, the project must not yet push

through. Chair Licuanan and President Pascual assured SR Macuha of it.

ADDENDA MATTERS FOR THE DECISION OF THE BOARD TO DEFER OR NOT

Draft MOA between UP and Smart Communications for Provision of Wireless

Communications Connectivity in Various UP Campuses System-wide

Vice President for Development Dr. Elvira Zamora discussed the said memorandum ofagreement (see attached).

SR Macuha clarified that since the service would be paid, he hopes that the free Wifi

service provided to students on different CUs be not replaced by the said service. Regent

Representative Romulo also added that the project shall not be used as a rationale to

not improve the free Wifi provided by the university to students. President Pascual

agreed to this, but could only guarantee that it be so during his term. He also added that

the service to be provided by Smart would serve as an alternative for students desiring a

faster internet connection that what is currently provided. Regent Senator Cayetano then

asked whether the whitelisted site be expanded to sites often used as students for

academic matters such as Facebook groups and the like. Regent Gizela Gonzalez-Montinola also added whether the free half-hour for Wifi may be expanded to one hour


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as the negotiated time is sort of lacking. Vice President Zamora said that they shall

continue to negotiate such terms to Smart. Finally, Regent Albarracin asked whether the

same could be offered to Globe as competition is always good. The vice present

answered positively but noted that they are currently negotiating with Smart, and shall do

so afterwards. The Board confirmed the MOA in principle.

MOA between PGH and DOH for the Allocation of DOH to PGH of the Amount of Php 144,

525,000

PGH Director Jose Gonzales was invited to discuss the said MOA. According to him that

the fund is allocated by DOH to PGH for the use of DOH-recommended patients. SR

Macuha then asked the authority of the Director to sign such MOAs as he is under the

impression that only Chancellors may do so, and whether members of Congress may

recommend to PGH who to use the funds for. FR Abadingo clarified that according to the

UP Delineation of Authority, the PGH is permitted to do so. Dr. Gonzales then clarified

that as much as they are concerned only DOH may recommend to them, but have the

whole authority to implement such. He then redirected such question to the DOH. TheBOR confirmed the MOA.

Proposal for the Creation of the UP Manila Museum of a History of Ideas

After discussing the merits, the Board approved the said proposal.

Request for Entitlement and Source of funding for the Compensation Package of the

Associate Deans and College Secretary and Registrar of UP Cebu.

This matter was deferred due to lack of time as the Board had to discuss the selection of

the chancellors.

For the students and the people,

NEILL JOHN G. MACUHA

Student Regent


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Documents

1301st BOR Report