USC & Dorm Councils to Push for Collective Campaigns

The Students Rights and Welfare Committee (STRAW), under Councilor Jaqueline Eroles, held a preliminary consultation with the Dormitory and House councils last April 23, 2008 at the USC office. The activity aims to discuss with the councils and unite in a plan of action regarding the New Dormitory Admissions Policy implemented in UP Diliman last year. It also became a venue for dorm councils to voice out other concerns such as deteriorating facilities, poor services, proposed dormitory fees, and the new proposed rules binding to all residence halls in UP Diliman.

Common concerns raised regarding the new admission policy was the inefficiency of the whole process. Since applications are already made centralized through the Office of Student Housing (OSH), it resulted to certain inconveniences on the part of the students and staff. There were cases where some applicants were accepted in 3 dorms in which they did not apply for. Some male applicants were also approved for all-female dormitories. Another obvious inconvenience, according to the residents, was the excessively delayed release of application results resulting from the small number of staff in the OSH who had to review thousands of applications every semester. These problems were not encountered during the time when applications were decentralized.

Several recommendations and resolutions were agreed upon during the meeting. The USC and the house councils shall collectively campaign for:

1. The reinstatement of the powers of the dorm managers in admissions. A regulatory body can be established to fight corruption, irregularities and abuse, instead of centralized power vested in the OSH.

2. The review of pointing system in admissions and the transparency of results.

3. Dorm managers to have the power in approving activities. It would be more efficient and it offers a more sound decision than when the OSH does the approval.

4. The recognition that the House Councils are legitimate representatives of residents which are eligible in forwarding the concerns and campaigns of dorm residents.

5. The revival and strengthening of the Alliance of Concerned Dormitories

6. The transparency in processes–consultations should be done when new policies, fee increases and impositions are to be implemented.

7. OSH should be concerned in improving facilities and alleviating the resources of dormitories. It does not necessarily have to burden itself with applications every semester

These recommendations will be presented and lobbied at the Office of Student Housing this summer. Meanwhile, the USC STRAW Committee will further its study and investigation on the New Dorm Admissions Policy, including the Proposed Rules Governing Residence Halls in UP. There will be constant coordination with House Councils and Dorm residents, through dorm tours and consultations, to further ground these recommendations on concrete bases.