110 years Towards A Progressive Campus Press | vol. LXXXV No. 12 | wednesday, 27 november 2013
Next Generation Artists. The Elements, National Music Songwriting Camp, attended by various participants from different cities around the Philippines, facilitated by among many music artists like Jay of Kamikazee, Rey Vallera, Jim Paredes and the camp’s artistic director, Ryan Cayabyab, gather for a photo opp last Nov. 21 at the Luce Auditorium. PHOTO by Nelly Dableo
CCTV fails to record another theft By Nova Veraley V. Grafe
On Nov. 5, a P2,000 bike was stolen inside the Silliman University campus. With no eyewitnesses except a CCTV camera installed a few meters from where he parked his bike, sophomore accountancy student, Emilio Tecson, went to the Public Assistance and Security Office (PASO) to check the video recording. But to his surprise, there was no video recording to check. He found out the camera was not even functioning during the incident. This was not the firstCCTV
camera malfunction that failed to record a theft. Last year, on Nov. 19, a P90,000 bike parked at one of the racks inside the campus was also stolen. Like Tecson, law student, Earl Magbanua,did not get to check any footage due to a camera breakdown. Eventually, however, Magbanua’sbike was returned to himwithout CCTV help, while PASO said it would improve its security services. PASO explains Seven CCTV cameras were purchased from Ace Logic last June 2012.
SU suspends fees, gives grants to disaster victims By DM Lorena V. Narciso
S i l l i m a n University is postponing fee payments and is providing scholarships for students who were victims of recent calamities, a member of the administration said. Mark Raygan Garcia, director of the Office of Information and Publication (OIP), said the fee suspension gives students a grace period to allow them more time to pay their tuition, dorm and fixed board fees with no surcharges. “It is not something that we really impose on them.
If these students, by the end of the semester, say they cannot pay, then the university will have to asses and check from where we can secure some funds to address the concern,” Garcia said. For the suspension of payments process, students can go directly to the university treasurer. Aside from the fee suspension, the SU administration has also decided to provide scholarships as a form of financial help to the students. “This has been created continued on page 4
They are located at the School of Basic Education—one each at the elementary and high school buildings, Early Childhood area, Langheim Road, Laguna gate and the cafeteria gate. Dr. Nichol Elman, PASO chief, said he cannot explain the reason for the malfunction. “On the technical terms, we really don’t know about it. However, the incident that happened is under investigation and we already submitted incidental report about it.” he said. Elman added that CCTV cameras are checked “from time to time.” Cooperation needed
While other teams are peacefully resting due to typhoon Zoraida, College of Education’s volleyball teams did not waste time to tune-up for the Intramurals 2013 this coming December 2-7 PHOTO by YUYS FATIMA ESCOREAL
SU to build ‘relaxing’ student lounges By Jelanie Rose T. Elvinia
This semester, the Silliman University administration is considering creating lounges across the campus where students can stay during breaks, take naps or freshen up while waiting for their classes. Carlos Magtolis Jr., dean of student services, said this plan came up because of the “pitiful situation” of some students and staff who sit, eat and sleep wherever they could while waiting for an afternoon class. “Our purpose here is to determine who among our students commute during noontime. We want to make Silliman more pleasant by giving them a relaxing place to stay,” he
said. He added that if, in their survey, they reach a reasonable number of students who go home every noontime and back in the afternoon for class, they will build student lounges in some buildings of the university. According to Magtolis, the lounges will be utilized during noon breaks (10:30am – 1:30pm) by students and staff who are not residents of Dumaguete City, specifically those from nearby towns such as Zamboanguita, Dauin, Bacong, Valencia and Bais. He also said equipment and facilities will be provided. They plan to put up a mini food
store and cubicles for quick showers, complete with towel rentals at a minimal fee. Hannah Faye Anqui, a junior accountancy student from Valencia,said she likes the idea of a student lounge because it means she can save money and effort by not going home at noon. “I think it’s a good idea because it can also help us to freshen up and relax while waiting for the next class,” Argui said. The Office of Student Services is currently conducting a survey to determine the viability of the plan. Students who want to take the survey may get forms available at the second floor of Oriental Hall. ~
“We don’t have a perfect system. But we will try our best to provide the best assistance and security to the university.” Elman said. He also asked the students to be responsible with their personal belongings. “We are just human beings and we cannot do this on our own.” he said. Rooms for improvement To enhance the security system in the university, Elman said he is planning to raise concerns such as the bike theft to the administration for policy reconsideration. “Maybe it’s high time that the university should have a
new rule, wherein all bikes, just like motorcycles, should also be registered to the student personnel.” Elman said. As for Tecson, he suggested that the university should make sure that the CCTV is working always as well as inform students on what they can do, especially in theft cases. “Let the CCTV be studentfriendly. As soon as someone loses something, students should be able to review recordings and there should be proper procedures on what they can do so they are guided,” he said. ~
By Kristine Felva P. Licup
cannot flow,” Ygnalaga said. He added that another contributing factor to the water overflow was the intensity of the rain itself. “The rate of the rainfall was too much for the capacity of the canal drainage,” he said. Ygnalaga also said the university drainage system is “okay” but in case of flooding incidents in the future, students and teachers must report them directly to BG for immediate action. “If they find the office too far, the guardhouses at the Cafeteria and Langheim [near the College of Business Administration] are equipped with telephones. They can just call us,” he added. Ygnalaga also stressed the importance of knowing the university department’s local telephone numbers. “It’s better if you know the numbers of the departments, especially social services like the Buildings and Grounds so you can immediately call us,” he said. He moreover encouraged faculty and students to report to them any problem they thinkcan be potentially dangerous.
BG clears flooding issue Sudden downpour brought aboutby tropical storm Zoraida last Nov. 12 caused floods in some parts of the Silliman University campus, rendering roads to classrooms impassable. Dina Wong-Remoto, a teacher at the College of Business Administration, was at the Ausejo Hall (AH) when the rain started pouring. She was about to go to her next class at the Mary Marquis Smith Hall when she discovered that the water at the back of the AH building was above ankle level. She had no choice but to wade through the flood. “If it’s always like that during heavy rains, there’s a possibility that students, even teachers, cannot attend their classes,” she said. She added that the university “has to do something about this.” But Buildings and Grounds (BG) Department Superintendent Engr. Edgar Ygnalaga said what happened was “not what we call a flood.” “It is a natural occurrence that there is water buildupinside canals because unless there is build-up, the water
BG’s local number is 400. ~