AFTER two years, the University will bring back the traditional face-to-face ROARientation and Welcome Walk for incoming freshmen on Aug. 9.
But first, there will be a UST Cloud Campus orientation for incoming first-year students on Aug. 3, where they will be oriented on the activation of their Google for Education accounts.
A virtual ROARientation will be held on Aug. 5 to introduce students and their guardians to various University services.
On Aug. 9, there will be morning and afternoon sessions for the in-person Welcome Mass, ROARientation, and Welcome Walk.
The morning session will commence with a Mass presided by Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. at 8 a.m., while the afternoon session will begin at 2 p.m. with a Mass celebrated by Vice Rector Fr. Isaias Tiongco, O.P.
The morning batch will have their ROARientation at 9 a.m. and Welcome Walk at 11 a.m. Students from the Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy, Faculty of Arts and Letters, College of Fine Arts and Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Nursing, Conservatory of Music, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Information and Computing Sciences, and Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (including LEAPMed) will comprise the morning batch.
The ROARientation for the afternoon batch will commence at 3 p.m., followed by the Welcome Walk at 5 p.m. The afternoon batch will be composed of the College of Architecture, Faculty of Civil Law, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, College of Commerce and Business Administration, Ecclesiastical Faculties, Institute of Physical Education and Athletics, College of Education, Faculty Engineering, Graduate School, Graduate School of Law, and College of Science.
The “unboxing” of the new UST block letters and tiger statue will be held on the same day at Plaza Mayor, 6 p.m.
Participating students are asked to wear rubber shoes, denim pants, a college shirt or a yellow shirt, and bring rainwear.
UST Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P. told the Varsitarian that the Welcome Walk would push through rain or shine.
Guidelines
Fully vaccinated students need to upload their vaccination records on Thomasian Online Medical Services and Support (ThoMedSS). Those who have yet to receive Covid-19 vaccines need to present a negative RT-PCR test taken 48 hours before the event or a negative antigen test result taken within 24 hours before the event.
Participants must accomplish their health declaration checklists via ThoMedSS and present a screenshot of their “good to go” clearance at the entrance points.
Guests and visitors need to download the StaySafe.PH app for their health declaration checklist.
People with the following symptoms will not be allowed to enter the campus:
- Fever
- Difficulty of Breathing
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Colds
- Diarrhea
- Sore throat
- Loss of Taste
- Muscle and Body Pains
- Loss of Smell
- Rashes
Minimum public health protocols will be enforced during the event, such as wearing well-fitting face masks, one-meter physical distancing and frequent hand sanitizing. Eating will be allowed but only in areas with proper ventilation and distancing.
The use of pyrotechnics, party poppers/confetti, flying helium balloons, sky lanterns, animals and vehicles as “gimmicks” or props for the parade and the welcome rite will not be allowed.
Vehicle entry and exit will only be through Gate 14 (Lacson Avenue). Limited free parking slots will be available along Villamor Drive, while paid parking slots will be available at the UST Carpark.
Pedestrians may access the University through Gates 1, 2, and 6 (España Boulevard), Gate 7 (P. Noval Street), Gates 10 and 11 (Dapitan Street), and Gate 14.
The Hybrid “ALAB 2022” that will welcome Grade 7 students virtually and Grade 11 students onsite will be held on Aug. 10, while the “homecoming” rites for Batches 2024 and 2025 will be on Aug. 23. Adrian L. Parungao