On the eviction of Yakal-based tambayans

On June 4, 2008, Wednesday, the University Student Council (USC) held a meeting with the representatives of the student organizations with Yakal-based tambayans. According to the representatives, they were informed by the Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs Elizabeth Enriquez through Office of Student Housing Director Ruby Alcantara that the organizations have no right to have their tambayans at the Yakal complex. According to them, Enriquez also said that the complex is no place for College of Engineering student organizations.

In a meeting with Dr. Alcantara last summer, some of the representatives who attended were told that they should leave the complex on or before May 31. The reps contended, however, that there had been verbal agreements between their org alumni and the Yakal administration that they can stay at the complex (though at the present meeting, the time frame was not specified). Still, as Dr. Alcantara added, no document can support their claim because the MOA (Memoradum of Agreement) is missing. Understanding their situation, the representatives now fear that their organizations might be forced to vacate the area anytime.

The USC and the Yakal-based organization now plan to conduct further investigations regarding the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). Furthermore, a statement of unity will be drafted, asserting to the OVCSA (Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs) and the OSH (Office of Student Housing) that these organizations be retained and that a new MOA be drafted to ensure the security of their tambayans. A dialogue with Dr. Alcantara and Dr. Enriquez has been planned in the coming weeks. The Students Rights and Welfare Committee (STRAW) and the Committee on Dorms, Organizations, Fraternities and Sororities (DOFS) will also conduct a comprehensive study on the status of more than 200 student organizations and their tambayans.

Affected organizations are as follows: UP KAISA, PSME-UPSU, UP MSS, UP ALCHEMES, UP CVSF, UP SME, UP Subol, UP Navigators, UP Kapianan.