By Deorafe Basong and Kean Bagaipo
Running representatives from ‘small colleges’ unveiled their platforms during the election campaign, focusing on hands-on learning opportunities across media, arts, and other disciplines at Silliman University (SU).
Candidates from the College of Mass Communication (CMC) and College of Performing and Visual Arts (COPVA) kicked off their bids for the student assembly last April 28, through room-to-room and ‘one-time, big-time’ campaigns, respectively.
Establishing a college publication
CMC candidates Louigie Malolot and Andrea Mae Samson championed their “LI-LO-LE” platform, which stands for Listen, Look, and Learn.
Malolot and Samson discussed their plans for the establishment of a new student-run publication, designed to provide mass communication students with “invaluable hands-on experience.”
“We are a media-centered college, and this publication would offer opportunities beyond the existing campus media outlets,” Malolot explained, referring to the Weekly Sillimanian (tWS).
He added, “It’s important for everyone, especially those in journalism, to experience a real-world publication environment and build a strong portfolio for future internships.”
To set apart from tWS coverage, Samson clarified that the proposed publication would focus on local community stories and college events, with a planned semestral print issue contingent on consultations and approvals.
“Funding is important, but for now, our priority is establishing this crucial learning platform,” she said.
Under their “Listen” initiative, the tandem plan to conduct quarterly consultations with batch representatives to “effectively address student concerns.”
Both also seek to track the allocation of students’ laboratory fees to address the issues of “outdated and malfunctioning” equipment in the college.
Creating more art spaces
During their one-time, big-time campaign, COPVA candidates Uldarico II Calasang Jr. and Carl Daniel Tamayo introduced two key projects under their platform “Buhay ArtESTA.”
“People outside SU see it as a place that fosters creativity and self-expression. However, the art community within SU has been limited,” they stated.
Through “ART-Environment,” the candidates seek to bring student artists and groups together by giving them “more chances to network and integrate” their artworks.
Their platform wrote, “It also pushes for more art spaces on campus and better care of existing ones like the Ariniego Gallery, Woodward Little Theatre, and the University Band Area.”
Moreover, Calasang and Tamayo stressed concerns with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-generated art among artists.
With their “ART-Stance,” the COPVA tandem aims to “push for rules and policies that limit the negative effects of AI art” on both the environment and art community.
Promoting student accessibility
Meanwhile, candidates under the College of Agriculture (COA) and Institute of Environment and Marine Sciences (IEMS) bannered their platforms titled “ACT” and “WILD,” respectively.
ACT stands for Accessible Parking, Compassionate Sticker Pricing, and Total Wifi Connectivity.
COA bets JC John Inao and Franci Luwee Luce stressed that only part of the Quintin Doromal Agricultural Academic Complex has Wi-Fi coverage which limits students’ productivity and learning opportunities.
“Expanding Wi-Fi coverage would enhance access to digital resources, improve academic performance, and support the use of the university’s online academic platform, MySOUL,” they stated.
Moreover, they hope to establish a designated parking area at the SU Farm while advocating for lower sticker prices to “promote fairness, inclusivity, and increased student engagement.”
As for IEMS, Rafael Emilio Jocson and Danareb Kyla Valle’s platforms include the expansion of amenities such as a student lounge and the installation of additional solar lights on their campus.
They also seek additional laboratory equipment and facilities to aid students and faculty in their research work.
All candidates are running under the Concerted Action for the Upliftment of Students’ Endeavors (CAUSE) Party, the sole party in this year’s SUSG elections.
