ENJOY it while it lasts.
The school administration has allowed temporary access to the widely popular social networking site Facebook to help promote UST’s Quadricentennial celebration.
Fr. Florentino Bolo Jr., O.P., secretary general, authorized the Santo Tomas e-Service Providers (STEPS) to unblock access to Facebook—which is usually barred on campus — to help disseminate information regarding this month’s activities. Access began in the first week of January and would be allowed until the end of the month, he said.
UST officials were traditionally wary that allowing access to Facebook and other popular sites might distract them in their school work.
“The official announcements are posted here on Facebook so whenever there are last-minute changes on small matters like time, they can be easily remedied,” Bolo said, adding that the updated schedule of the Quadricentennial activities are posted on the “UST Quadri” fan page, which he personally moderates and updates.
Sebastian Raymond Mendoza, Steps assistant director for network operation, said Facebook access might be extended depending on how much it would affect the school’s bandwidth.
Paul John Panopio, a Mechanical Engineering student, said that allowing access to social networks would be beneficial to the students.
“It would benefit those who have long-hour breaks,” he said. “So it would really depend on the students on how they would use it.”
Asian Studies junior Jose Nicolo San Diego said Facebook was useful because most of the announcements in their class were being posted on the site.
“It’s very useful especially if I need to get updated on class announcements because people now prefer posting on Facebook rather than texting, which would cost us,” he said.
But fourth year Journalism student Remigia Trinidad said allowing Facebook on campus was not necessary.
“Facebook has been very helpful for disseminating information and instructions to my groupmates because of its features. But it has become a distraction to students who use their laptops in class,” she said. Darenn G. Rodriguez with reports from Camille Anne M. Arcilla
