UST on Thursday said a two-day “academic break” would be implemented on Sept. 20-21, an announcement that drew more jeers than cheers from student leaders.
UST Central Student Council (CSC) officers were dissatisfied with the two-day class suspension, saying the school administration did not live up to its promise of coordinating with the student body in formulating “long-term” solutions for Thomasian problems amid the pandemic.
“The two-day break is not enough given the situation, and we must all strive to establish a long-term solution for our community,” CSC President Krizia Bricio told the Varsitarian.
In a series of tweets, CSC Vice President Gerald de la Cruz and Public Relations Officer Gabriele de Lara also lamented the short span of the academic break.
“We look forward to the student-admin dialogue and the inclusion of different university sectors [in crafting] solution[s],” de la Cruz said.
The UST Administration promised the CSC EB and CB to work together to find and establish the "long term" solution for our problems and concerns. We look forward to the student-admin dialogue and the inclusion of different university sectors to craft such a solution.
— Gerald (@Geeemdelacruz) September 16, 2021
De Lara added that “direct solutions” to the problems of students and teachers amid the pandemic would be “breaks, leniency and lessened workloads.”
While we're glad that the concerns raised during the meetings were acknowledged and led to this "2-day break."
We still call for a long-term solution that addresses everyone, faculty & student. What we need are direct solutions — set breaks, leniency, & lessened workloads.
1/2
— gab nabi era (@gabdelaraaa) September 16, 2021
Bricio earlier told the Varsitarian that University officials were also considering the schedule of the academic year in implementing pauses in the academic calendar, given the Commission on Higher Education’s contact hour requirement on private higher education institutions.
De Lara urged Thomasians to go directly to the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Education, the government agencies behind “unhealthy policies and guidelines on online learning.”
‘Breathe, eat and rest’
In a letter to University administrators and academic and support staff, the UST Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P. said the duration of the break was “chosen with equal regard for both our stakeholders’ needs and the needs of the institution.”
“Though considerably short, we hope that such academic break may become grace-filled moments to breathe, recuperate and attend to our health and personal needs, and those of our families,” the letter read.
Coronel urged Covid-19-positive Thomasians to consult with medical experts in the UST Health Service, through the Thomasian Online Medical Services and Support or ThoMedSS platform.
“The University shall afford you the medical help you need, especially at this time,” he said.
For those experiencing a “strain on their mental health,” Coronel said the University’s guidance counselors and clinical psychologists would be ready to provide assistance.
“If your health conditions require you to stop for a while in order to recover, be assured that you will be given the consideration to make your work arrangement more flexible,” Coronel added.
All classes and office work in the University will be suspended during the two-day break. Deadlines for requirements set for Sept. 20 and 21 will also be moved.
UST’s announcement came a week after student leaders called for either an “academic ease” or “academic break” after learning that over 200 Thomasian students had caught Covid-19.
UST student leaders call for ‘academic ease,’ ‘academic break’ as Delta cases soar
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