Blue Moon

     When we talk about the administrative officials in Negros Oriental State University (NORSU), we are more or less talking about those people who are responsible, respectful, and cool—those people who accommodate the students’ need-their academic needs to be specific.This is perhaps the very reason why many of the students from the Visayas and Mindanao regions chose to study in the university to accomplish their academic goals and journey—a humble reason why NORSU came into existence—including the immense development the university has acquired and etcetera.

In fact, when I first step in the grounds of this university, I can barely recall therewas an instance wherein these people fail to perform their tasks and functions. With this, I thank and congratulate them for making a difference in uplifting the standards of the student services. The help they have extended have boosted the confidence of all the Norsunians to attaining better educational qualifications.With these things in mind, I am confident that we can obtain the academic qualifications we desire through their help. And perhaps this calls for a compassionate celebration to cherish.  However, as the time passes by, it seems frustrating that these people had to make themselves unavailable most of the time. It appears that as the university grows older, new high breeds of undeserving people are strewn in its fertile soil.It is also quite alarming that the change of the administration has also changed the attitudes of the administrative people which have abruptly resulted to a-not-so-good student services. Some of these officials become lazy in doing their tasks, they are just sitting down behind those unnoticeable corners in their respective offices; others become‘monsters’ because of the promotions or designations they received from the president. Several of them become very strict to the extent of jeopardizing other’s work in office. Despite all of these, why do many people still remained mutes?

From this observation of mine, apparently, I saw them creating “a wall of separation”—that is their services were made far from reach. Some of them made themselves busy even though they are not. They were even hiding in the caves like cowards.Is this the kind of people we need in the university? Is this the kind of people that the university has produced that every time students approach them, they were treated like strangers? I believe we don’t need these people.

Moreover, some of the student service offices are suffering from the delay of their work because they lack the signatories of the people concerned to run every transaction. If someone went to their office for a clarification of a certain issue, they do not entertain and simply put them humiliated.You see, it appears clearer that they seem to be nocturnal animals that appear “once in a blue moon” only. To my mind, all these things will not work for the better unless these people aim to change their personalities and perspectives in life that they are not swayed by the positions they hold.

If we continue to support these kinds of people, we will definitely end up like wasting our future in this university!That is why I envision all Norsunian people to be active in knowing all what is happening of this grown-up university. Let us participate and make a difference! 

Unprioritized Priority

By The Arbitrary Pointer

Several complaints have been created by students who do not have proper classrooms to hold their classes with. In fact, a few of them have dropped their subjects because of the hassles brought about by this dilemma. The rest remained voiceless and complacent because of fears of being reprimanded when they complain.

When I first stepped inside Negros Oriental State University three years ago, this problem has already existed yet it remained unanswered. I know students have been telling their teachers about the issue but still nothing happened. Perhaps, if indeed teachers have told the administration, they could have probably answered or if not, perhaps the authority covered their ears to refrain from hearing the students’ similar cries. That is a problem!

For Bachelor of Mathematics students for example, looking for vacant classrooms has been their struggle. The course is no less than attached to the College of Arts and Sciences, yet they still go to the College of Education to have classes or if not to the College of Business and Accountancy and to the College of Industrial Technology. Others conduct classes under lounges in the university.

While we are in the peak of sacrifices, it is sad to say that the administration is a slowpoke regarding these concerns. We know we have to understand the university because evidently they are after the best welfare of the students. However, for the past few years, the same problem has been aired by the students in the university.

Remember! We are supposed to enjoy an ideal training place as part of the privilege of being a student. And classrooms are one of the most essential elements of our development.

Classrooms are believed to be a safe space where learning can take place. It is where instructors and students share ideas. Moreover, it is in classrooms where instructors integrate learning into students’ daily life.

Now, what do you think will happen if this part is missing? Perhaps, proper class interaction cannot take place or maybe the interests of the students will slowly disappear. We know you aim for higher in advancing our proficiency as mark is showing. So we suggest you have to sensitively look this matter.

As part of the studentry, we can say that the university still has wide pylons to hone our personalities. We, students, hoped that the university will not take our requests for granted.

Bigotry behind Vague Governance

By The Arbitrary Pointer

Earlier last year, the Student Government of Dumaguete City-I, notably known as the SGDC-I, asked for the students’ sympathy during the SG election last February. We heard sufficing platforms and assuring podiums presented during the Meeting De Avance. They accumulated public attention and trusts from the whole Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) studentry.

With all trust and hope, the students voted them in desire of helping the school and incorporate discipline and deliberate social development among studentry as anticipated. Moreover, students, in innocence, expected comprehensive governance including general welfare and safety from them. This is so because partly, it is their responsibility.

Apparently, they are expected to function on four major areas. First, they must build concrete projects that would benefit students and help develop one’s personality. Second, their services must be available and accessible to the students. Third, they must be subsidiary to students’ interests and welfare. And lastly, they must be role models in inculcating ideal leadership and transparent governance among students. But how many of these do you exactly know were realized?

As one of the many crying students, I have always aimed of prolific ascendancy. And in my aim of uncompromising trust, there existed cancellation of hope. Few months ago, we have experienced on and off communication towards the SG office and we do not know why. We just noticed later that there was a personal fight among the SG officers. Some quit from their respective positions. We note it is mirrored to the whole studentry, so it must not have happened. They were disorganized, and they jeopardized their union, communication and workforce, resulting to inefficient and ineffective leadership. During those very times, they were not able to come up with satisfying output. We, the students, were massively affected since they no longer function well in their jobs as bestowed officers. We can conclude that the last area where they are supposed to function is already halted.

SG also said that they will renovate and add more canopies along the sidewalks; initiate activities to develop students’ talents and skills; and roof the open court, among others. They further elaborated that the canopies should be added so that students won’t get wet during rainy days. Activities like Sports Fest would be one of their plans to improve Norsunians’ athletic skills and other activities that would hone their talents. And lastly, they said that the open court roofing would be their biggest project in their term.

I am particular with the outcome and I see nothing. The open court was not roofed yet apart from their promise that it must be their biggest project. We can see it! Anticipated canopies were also invisible from students’ eyes. In the actual sense, these laid back personnel seem to be doing nothing but sit in a throne. They have all the coffers but have done nothing.

Similarly, from the sprouting issues about culpable manipulation and mishandling of public funds came a purulent monopoly about NORSUFFA tickets. It is noted that the SG collected some amount of 20 pesos for NORSUFFAA tickets for raffle draw. However, a total P54, 000 worth of NORSUFFAA tickets were allegedly lost. According to SGCD-I President Angelo Nabalse, he unintentionally lost the tickets. But, as a responsible leader, can you afford to lose such amount just because of your negligence? Undeniably, it is a big loss of students’ funds in which if handled properly and meticulously can be used to build for additional student-projects.

The very question in my mind now is that is it really lost? If yes, would let Nabalse depart from this institution without resolving the problem? It would be unjust for us some Norsunians!

There are actually many things still happening around the SG office right now. These things mentioned are just few of the many disrupting reality that must be corrected before we end this semester. But, if these will not be stopped, we will all end unproductive. The school year 2011-2012 is nearly ending, but we are still seated on the top of a rotten eggplant.

So, it is in this light that they are hoped to change and adhere to the prolific grounds of absolute governance. They must be ready to take new steps for societal change and plant legacy that is worth remembering and emulating among us students.