By Carla Adeline Via
All running college representatives raised their stances that Silliman University (SU) facilities, services, and resources are not sufficient with the amount of students’ tuition fees.
A total of 49 candidates voted ‘no’ when asked if they believe student benefits are enough, during the stance-check portion of the SU Student Government (SUSG) Election Forum last May 2.
Twenty-one candidates were present in the forum, while the rest cast their votes via an online form simultaneously to the event. However, two candidates failed to respond within the given time.
John Alfie Rendon, a reelectionist from the College of Education (COE), stressed that the university “often falls short” of the needs of the student body despite providing certain services and support systems.c
“Many of us continue to struggle with the lack of limited financial aid options, and daily logistical challenges like printing services, above all, the usage of rooms [or] venues that we need to pay for,” Rendon said.
According to him, the recent election forum and their stances reflected how “many students feel the same way,” emphasizing what “more should be done” in the university.
“We deserve a university experience where student welfare is not treated as an afterthought, but as a priority,” he added.
Among other university issues discussed was the recent labor dispute between the SU Faculty Association (SUFA) and the administration.
Candidates support SUFA
When asked about the collective bargaining agreement, 48 candidates voted that the administration should offer its faculty a salary increase beyond the limited 70-percent tuition fee increments.
SUSG Socio-Political Committee Chairperson Rhealex Pis-an, as member of the forum panel, challenged their stance during the moderated question and answer segment.
She asked what “concrete mechanisms” they plan to support the union, if elected as representatives of the student assembly.
Running College of Business Administration representative Gerarica Villaflores responded and emphasized transparency in the process.
“To cater to the request of the faculty and the teachers, we first have to reassess the expenses of the university, because based on what the faculty has mentioned before, the university is more than able to provide them with what they’re asking for,” she said.
Moreover, Villaflores highlighted TAPOK, one of their major platforms under the Concerted Action to Uplift Students’ Endeavors Party.
“Through this, we are able to communicate with the administration. We are able to ask the questions that concern, not just the students, but all the stakeholders of the university, including the faculty,” she stated.
Other stances
In response to campus policies, 47 candidates voted against the amended honor rules, while pushing for the eligibility of shiftees and transferees for Latin honorship.
Meanwhile, 33 candidates were also open to the idea of student leaders endorsing political candidates, despite the university’s stance as a politically neutral institution.
The candidates also expressed varying stances on other national, local, and university issues such as former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest, the proposed construction of the Negros Oriental Medical City, and the termination of alumni email accounts, among others.
SU Debate Society Prime Minister Michael John Mirasol and the Weekly Sillimanian Editor-in-Chief Genno Gabriel Rabaya also served as members of the forum’s panel.
The event catered to questions from the student body where the running representatives addressed opinions on the student assembly procedures, student apathy, and issues on the mandatory council fees.
The elections on May 7 will decide which candidates are elected for the 35th SUSG Student Assembly.
