by Ranjie Nocete | March 25, 2022
Silliman University Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), Dr. Earl Jude Paul Cleope, confirmed that there will be limited face-to-face (F2F) classes in identified courses and subjects.
In an advisory released through the Office of Information and Publications, F2F classes are scheduled to start on May 2 for the college level.
Cleope also said that the SU School of Basic Education (SBE) is also preparing for limited F2F classes, giving “premium” on Grade 12 students, but no final date has been announced yet as of this writing.
On these preparations, he said that the SBE principals and faculty have been meeting among themselves and with officials from the Department of Education. He added that there will be a “subsequent release” on these announcements from the specific department.
As a requirement to attend F2F classes, he said that students and faculty must be vaccinated as per the joint memorandum from the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Health.
These F2F classes will be operating in half of the total classroom capacity to ensure social distancing. However, the Inter-Agency Task Force is allowing universities under Alert Level 1 to operate in full capacity. Cleope said that SU will also follow through if Dumaguete reaches said status.
“But again, it depends on the classroom. As much as possible, if there are minimum requirements, it is better to be at the side of caution rather than compromise the safety,” Cleope added.
However, he said that if another surge of cases would occur, “it’s automatic that we go back to online distance learning [ODL].”
Silliman is also preparing for more F2F engagements such as the 121st Founders Day celebration in August. Cleope shared that they are preparing early as they are gearing towards the celebration being F2F rather than online.
In response to online dialogue clamoring for F2F classes, Cleope expressed that educators still prioritize safety first and foremost. He said they are also thinking of the parents, as F2F classes will entail additional costs.
“There are things really that would be better than F2F. Although the ODL has its advantages, as I’ve said there are things best done in a F2F engagement, especially with the teaching-learning process,” he said.
