system’ for student leaders

UST CENTRAL Student Council (CSC) auditor Dale Marollano has resigned, citing what he described as a “restrictive system” that made him unable to render his vision for a “policy-driven student council.”

“After careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that I am unable to fulfill my vision for a policy-driven student council that advocates for students’ rights and welfare within a restrictive system,” Marollano, a philosophy junior, said in his resignation letter dated Feb. 28.

It was addressed to UST Office for Student Affairs (OSA) director and CSC adviser Asst. Prof. Maria Cecilia Tio Cuison and the student body.

“While I admire and respect the tenacity of other student leaders to power through the status quo, I cannot in good conscience continue to serve as a student leader without adhering to the interests of the constituents that I have the responsibility to represent in the first place,” he added.

The CSC executive board and the central board are expected to release a resolution soon as they have already acknowledged Marollano’s resignation.

In an interview with the Varsitarian, the former UST Senior High School Student Coun- cil president said he had grown frustrated over the “lack of progress” in student leadership.

He said the CSC officers had been minimized into “mere organizers” of events.

“Ang expectation ng mga offices sa atin, ‘yung mga administrator, ay event organizers lang tayo, and hindi tayo dapat gumawa ng mga policies dahil estudiyante lang tayo, wala tayong kapangyarihan para gawin ‘yon,” Marollano told the Varsitarian

“And I think sobrang kailangan nating baguhin ‘yon and palitan kung saan mas magkakaroon ng voice and lugar ‘yung student body, lalo na ‘yung mga student leaders ng UST, para makagawa ng policies na makakatulong talaga, na long-lasting ‘yung impact and sustainable,” he added.

The CSC auditor called for a “complete overhaul of the system” to allow student leaders to roll out their policy objectives.

“Ang kailangan natin ngayon ay isang systemic change at overhaul ng system na magpapalakas sa student power sa ating University, kasi kung walang mangyayaring systemic change or an overhaul of the system, hindi magkakaroon ng avenue to propose policies and rights ang student leaders natin,” Marollano said.

Marollano said he was unable to fulfill his campaign promises because of restrictions by the administration.

“Pinangako ko noong campaign ‘yung isang policy-centric na council, ina-allow ba ng sistema? Hindi naman. So, I’m giving way, para makita nila na need natin baguhin ‘to,” he said.

During the campaign period last year, Marollano vowed to strengthen sectoral representation among students and increase participation in crafting policies for face-to-face classes.

While the CSC was consulted in the transition to face-to-face classes, University administrators, whom Marollano declined to name, told them it was not within the council’s power to create policies.

“Yes, nagkaroon ng consultation, pero ‘yung natanggap namin na comment is ‘student lang kayo, ‘di kayo taga-gawa ng policy,’” Marollano said.

“Na-realize ko nu’n na sobrang limiting niya, ‘yung sinabi na ‘yun,” he added. Marollano became auditor of the CSC Executive Board after winning 27,020 votes in last year’s polls.

His resignation came on the day of the filing of certificates of candidacy for this year’s student elections and a month before the election of new CSC officers.

The Varsitarian has written the OSA for comment, but it has yet to receive a response as of publishing. WITH REPORTS FROM LOGAN KAL-EL M. ZAPANTA AND KARIS M. TSANG co Mayuyu said these shortcomings could be considered areas for improvement for the council.

“These are the crucial points that we had to play to make sure that we ensure that students are being heard and that we are also working hand-in-hand with the administration,” he told the Varsitarian Mayuyu said that “stronger relationships” with the offices would have improved the planning and enforcement of the council’s policies.

“Things would’ve been more seamless and smooth if we were able to closely coordinate and establish a stronger relationship with the offices, especially with the OSA (Office for Student Affairs),” Mayuyu told the Varsitarian Agustin recommended that the succeeding CSC officers dedicate time to disseminating information about the CSC to the student body, prepare for the revision of the CSC constitution, and encourage student participation in decision-making to the fullest extent possible.

Ang kailangan natin ngayon ay isang systemic change at overhaul ng system na magpapalakas sa student power sa ating University, kasi kung walang mangyayaring systemic change or an overhaul of the system.

Dale Marollano FORMER CSC AUDITOR