News

IT HAS been three months since a series of vehicular accidents on Arsenio H. Lacson avenue compelled the University to request a pedestrian footbridge in the area, but but the proposal couldn’t be implemented for lack of funds, a Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) official told the Varsitarian.

“The footbridge cannot be erected at once due to the unavailability of (resources), MMDA Traffic Planning and Design acting chief Lilian Guerra said. “And there were also pending requests since last November and December, which we are prioritizing.”

A BLESSING in disguise?

The UST College of Nursing (Nursing) had lost 16 faculty members in the past four years, but due to the retrogression of visas filed after December 2002 in the United States (US), the College has been relieved of faculty loss problems, at least for this school year.

Nursing Dean Glenda Vargas told the Varsitarian she is glad to have her faculty intact.

A SIGN of underemployment or a mark of Thomasian versatility?

An incoming Political Science senior was chosen as the new “tadjock” (field news reporter) of the news-gag show, Wazzup Wazzup: Extra Strong last April 22.

Len Hasal, 19, said she is very happy about winning the slot, despite people finding her academic course not connected to being a tadjock.

“Some are shocked to hear I am majoring in Political Science,” she said. “However, I believe one should not be limited to one’s field.”

WHILE the University prefers teachers with postgraduate degrees, some administrators and professors do not believe that having a master’s degree or a doctorate is equivalent to efficient teaching.

In an interview with the Varsitarian, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Dr. Armando De Jesus said teaching efficiency does not rely on postgraduate degrees alone, but also on the teaching methods of educators and efforts of the University to improve on them.

AFTER almost five decades of teaching, former Faculty of Pharmacy Dean Dr. Rosalinda Solevilla, retires from the University, and wants to concentrate on a food-making venture.

“Matanda na ako para magturo.” “Gusto ko namang mag-concentrate sa food business,” Solevilla told the Varsitarian.

Solevilla’s deanship ended last March.

A multiple degree holder, she said she wants to put up a branch of Pares-Pares, of which her daughter is a franchise holder, near the University “soon”.

TO REPLENISH and increase its healthy blood supply, the University of Santo Tomas Hospital (USTH) blood bank collaborated with the Office of Student Affairs and various student organizations to promote voluntary blood donation.

USTH blood bank director Dr. Manuel Barnes said he asked faculty members, administrators, and student organizations to improve information dissemination about Dugong Tomasino, the University-wide voluntary blood drive campaign launched in 2004.

WHEN disaster strikes, who you gonna call?

The University’s security personnel may just be the answer—especially now that they have undergone disaster-preparedness training.

Dr. Lito Maranan, UST Red Cross Youth Chapter adviser, discussed basic but crucial reactions when disaster strikes, as well as the general aspects of a disaster, general procedures in any emergency, proper first-aid administration, building evacuation, and use and handling of firefighting equipment to the security personnel last May 12 and 13 at the Beato Angelico Bldg.

UST SECRETARY-General Fr. Isidro Abaño, O.P. pointed out that the Church plays a big part of preserving the cultural and historical heritage of a parish during a national convention of church cultural heritage workers.

According to Fr. Abaño’s paper, “The Philosophy and Theology of Ecclesiastical Cultural Heritage Management,” pastoral workers need to search for openings in some theological areas to embark on a concrete project that will help them preserve the cultural heritage of their parish without sacrificing its basic pastoral needs.

AFTER being elected president of the Regional Corps Commanders Association, UST’s first lady Corps Commander will visit the different ROTC-NCR member-institutions to elicit student support for ROTC in the region.

“I want to promote ROTC. I want to show that this organization is still alive,” C/Maj. Therese Altamirano told the Varsitarian.

The incoming College of Commerce senior also said she would “actively involve” Thomasian cadets in the organization.

FOUR Architecture students are now under investigation after allegedly engaging in a fistfight inside the Beato Angelico Building (Beato) last May 3.

In a statement made to the Safety and Security Service (UST-SSS), formerly the Security Affairs Office, incoming sophomore Eduard Christopher Molina said incoming juniors Cyrus John Lee, Choel Mark Flores, and Rodrigo Caling, ganged up on him near the fourth floor elevator of the Beato.