the Weekly Sillimanian - December 6th 2013

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110 years

Towards A Progressive Campus Press | vol. LXXXV No. 13| friday, 6 DECEMber 2013

MAN TO MAN. A player from Divinity School fights for a rebound from the College of Business Administration (CBA) during the first day of the Intramurals 2013. CBA moved to the next round with final score of 75-35. PHOTO BY Nelly Dableo

SUSGheadstomembers:Proveyourself

SU Wi-Fi better than most in city – IT expert

By Jelanie Rose T. Elvinia The president of the Silliman University Student Government (SUSG) has asked for a renewal of contract among SUSG Executive Committee heads this semester as a proof of commitment to their responsibilities as student-leaders. “I want the people I actually appoint to say I’m willing to work rather than me sort of imposing or appointing,” said SG president Rona Marie Namocatcat. Background After the Founders celebration, the SUSG Legislative Committee on Appointment asked for requirements to be complied by the Executive Committee heads. Some of the requirements were a qualitative point average of 2.5 and no grade less than 2.0, a recommendation from the dean, a recommendation from the past chairperson of the certain committee and a health certificate. But some heads of the Executive Committee did not comply with the said requirements. ‘Why now?’ Darrel Rosales, Sociocultural Committee chairperson, said that all he knew to become a chairperson of the Executive Committee is that the person has to be appointed by the SUSG president. “It’s pointless to require these documents in the middle of the semester because majority of the major events some committees are handling were done,” he said. Vice-chairperson of the Students Rights and Welfare Committee Val Vestil agreed that the Committee on Appointment should implement it next year.

By Samantha L. Colinco

LEARNING. International frisbee player and coach from Seattle, Adam Lerman, gave a free clinic at the Cimafraca Ballfield last Dec. 1 to enthusiasts in Dumaguete City. Photo byYuys Fatima Escoreal “We were caught off guard. It’s like one day we were working really hard and then the next day they just slap us with requirements,” he said. Although “disappointed,” Vestil said he agrees with having the requirements as a way “to filter those who are committed and those who are not.” SG explains Giselle Ree Belnas, SUSG student assembly speaker of the house, said the requirements were given at the middle of last semester since the set of guidelines was not easy to compose and had to undergo deliberation. She added that requiring the documents is not pointless because they are just following certain protocol and rules set in the constitution. “I would like to make clear that their obligation in that committee does

not stop after their event,” she said. Belnas also said committees have responsibilities until the second semester. She cited the Miss Silliman Committee saying it still has to help the reigning Miss Silliman fulfill her advocacy. ‘Prove yourself’ Some executive committee heads have submitted the requirements as well as confirmed their commitment to the SUSG. But certain positions in the Info Media Committee are currently vacant after two heads quit due to personal reasons. For Namocatcat, she said she sees the new administration as a “fresh start.” “Do something innovative because I want you to prove that you deserve your position,” she added. ~

Ex-SU president named Outstanding Negrense By Nova Veraley V. Grafe

PRE-CHRISTMAS. Students participate in the Advent Parade last Dec 2 at the amphitheater where parols made by various organizations where highlighted. Photo by: Nelly Mae Dableo

A few months after a WiFi system was installed in 45 areas all over Silliman University, some students said it is generally helpful but usually ‘breaks down just when we need it the most.’ Raymond Cutillar, a third year mass communication student, was at the Ausejo Hall (AH) to log on to the Wi-Fi so he could download a file for class. He tried connecting to the “silliman zone” but could not get in after several attempts. Physical therapy student Natalie Burgos from Texas, U.S.A, said she thinks the Wi-Fi connection is “a little bit slower here” in the Philippines because “there’s so many people using it in one place at the same time.” Wi-Fi system Percival Genove, officer-incharge of the SU Management Information System (MIS),said the campus is subscribed to a maximum data transfer rate or bandwidth of 30 mbps with Fil Products as the internet service provider. He added that unlike a digital subscriber line (DSL) that is shared by residents and companies within a city, SU’s Internet connection is through a leased line that is uncontested and exclusively used by its subscribers. As for students who want to log on to the Internet at AH, Genove said the Wi-Fi presence inside

classrooms has been “intentionally weakened” to discourage students from going online while in class. Payment breakdown Currently, SU students pay P300 per semester for the Wi-Fi launched last July. Genove said the amount goes to the monthly internet subscription fee of “more or less P300,000.” He added that P300 is “very affordable” because it means only P60 per month for Wi-Fi which “can be used anytime.” For Cutillar, however, the payment is “quite high” but would be “enough” if the university includes improvements. “I know of other universities in the country that have free internet connection and is fast at the same time. Students there do not complain about their Wi-Fi,” he said. Report glitches Genove said students should report to the nearest university office or directly to the MIS office any connection problem so they can inform the internet service provider. He also suggested transferring to another Wi-Fi connected area because routers in a specific area sometimes malfunction. “We can never avoid system breakdowns. Even places which boast of excellent internet connectivity like hotels have problems 90 percent of the time. But the opposite is happening here in campus where 90 percent of the time it’s working,” he said.~

As part of Negros Occidental’s 115th Cinco de Noviembre celebration, the provincial government awarded Dr. Angel Alcala as one of this year’s five Outstanding Negrenses. Born in Cauayan, Negros Occidental, Alcala was the president of SU from 1991 to 1992 and is currently a member of its board of trustees. Among his pioneering works in the Philippines are the use of artificial reefs and the concept of community-based coastal resource

management in the promotion of marine biodiversity. Alcala, who is considered as the “father of biodiversity conservation program” in the country, is also presently the chairman of the Silliman University Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management. During his time as president, Fidel V. Ramos invited Alcala to head the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as secretary. Following his post at the DENR, he became chairman of the Commission on Higher Education. Alcala is a recipient of prestigious

awards and fellowships, two of which are the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service and the Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation. Early in 1988, SU named him Outstanding Sillimanian in Biological Sciences. Alcala earned his biology degree, magna cum laude, from SU in 1951. He obtained his master’s and doctorate degrees in biological sciences from Stanford University in 1960 and 1966, respectively. ~ With reports from su.edu.ph and visayandailystar.com.


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