A FORMER human resource staff at the Central Student Council (CSC) is vying for the public relations officer (PRO) position to provide a platform for less recognized sectors in the University.
Political science junior Heavenly Nerizon, one of two candidates for PRO, vows to provide “progressive information” to Thomasians.
“Minumungkahi kong isulong ang mas inklusibo na konseho; inklusibo sa representasyon at sa impormasyon,” Nerizon said in his opening speech during “Tagisan,” the mandatory debate for CSC aspirants, on April 5.
Central to his platform is “Impormatibos,” a general plan of action that aims to spotlight marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, student-athletes, and even animals.
Nerizon also called for the revision of the CSC charter — left untouched since its ratification in 2003 despite multiple failed attempts by several administrations — to reflect the diverse sectors within UST.
“I’m pushing [for] sectoral representation. I want the CSC to champion this aspect. And by championing this aspect, we have to revise the CSC constitution kasi there are various students, various sectoral groups within the University,” he said.
The PRO hopeful is also proposing an indigenous media awareness campaign through “Makultura,” and an education initiative on artificial intelligence (AI) integration and ethical usage through “AI-Lamin.”
“Bilang isang parte ng IP (indigenous people) community, naranasan ko ang iba’t ibang uri ng diskriminasyon sa loob at labas ng Unibersidad. Dahil dito, nagkaroon ako ng lakas ng loob upang isulong ang proyektong ito, upang matulungan ang ibang mga estudyanteng nakakaranas nito at maibahagi ang karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa IP Community,” he said.
AI-Lamin will focus on teaching Thomasians the responsible and ethical use of AI.
“Ninanais kong mag-imbita ng mga experto sa iba’t ibang larangang propesyunal upang makapagbahagi ng kanilang sariling kaalaman sa Thomasian community at magamit ang mga ito sa iba’t ibang aspekto na ating tatahakin.”
With the CSC elections coming off one of the lowest voter turnouts in history and one of the smallest pool of candidates, Nerizon said there needs to be a stronger culture of participation among Thomasians.
“I am aware that there is a systematic problem. Pero, I think too na there are various ways that we can address this, especially on strengthening the aspect of volunteerism within the student body and the volunteers,” he said.
