Tag: January 30, 2002

If the claim of the Samahang Manggagawa ng UST (SM-UST) that the UST management is cheating on the computation of the 2000-2001 tuition increment distribution is true, then the Union has the reason to rise up. However, if its claim is baseless and untrue, then it should settle down. At least it should trust the management because we are in a remunerative-normative environment.

Fairness has become a byword in any CBA negotiation. But what is fair to one may not be fair to another, or what is fair to some is not fair to the majority.

THE DEADLOCK in the collective bargaining between the University and its non-academic employees is not merely caused by extremely contrasting positions on salary increase. In the final analysis, both sides cannot agree on the figure representing earnings from the tuition increase during this school year when UST has raised tuition by 10 percent.

Coming up with a final figure is crucial since by law, 70 percent of collections from a tuition increase should go to personnel salaries.

THE FACULTY of Pharmacy marked its 130th foundation last Dec. 3 to 7 with an exhibit that featured the outstanding theses of the graduating Pharmacy, Medical Technology, Biochemistry, and Botany students.

The Faculty also hosted the Federation of Junior Chapters of the Philippine Pharmaceutical Association (FJCPPhA) Inter-University Pharmacy Quiz Contest at the Medicine Auditorium.

THE COLLEGE of Architecture (CA) celebrated its first anniversary last Dec. 10 to 15.

The anniversary activities included an exhibit that featured the students’ best plates last semester, a sportsfest, and a series of symposia on architecture and planning.

Highlighting the celebration was a tree-planting ceremony along the North Luzon Expressway. A concert and a variety show capped the first-ever Architecture week, which was participated in by CA students, faculty, and administrators.

DESPITE their hectic schedules, more student organizations participated in last month’s Makibata compared to the previous year.

Makibata, the annual Christmas activity organized by the Student Organizations Coordinating Council (SOCC) and the Office for Community Development (OCD), was held last Dec. 13 to 14.

Some 60 Aeta children from Sitio Malasa, UST’s community extension in Pampanga, were welcomed with a children’s party at Jollibee Asturias.

THE FACULTY of Arts and Letters placed first in the Spanish Declamation contest sponsored by the Department of Languages last Dec. 11 at the St. Albertus Magnus Auditorium.

Manuel Ramon Amanse brought home the gold medal for the piece “Invocacion a Jose Rizal” (Invocation to Jose Rizal). At second and third places were College of Science’s Ace Bryan Cabral for “Mi Caida” (My Downfall) and Faculty of Sacred Theology’s Lindon Michael Villarante for “El Silencio–Senda de la Sabiduria” (The Silence–Pathway of the Learned).

MARAMING obispo ng iba’t ibang diocese at archdiocese ng Pilipinas ang nagmula sa UST. Sa kasalukuyan, 52 na aktibong miyembro ng CBCP ay pawang mga Tomasino. At bilang pagkilala sa kanila, matatagpuan ang kanilang mga larawan sa Bishop’s Gallery ng UST Central Seminary.

INSTEAD of conferring honorary degrees on its alumni who were part of the Malolos Congress, as suggested by the Commission on Higher Education in a 1998 memorandum, the University inaugurated last Jan. 25 a historical marker in the newly renovated Plaza de Sto. Tomas in Intramuros to honor the 54 Thomasian framers of the Malolos Constitiution.

WHEN St. Thomas Aquinas was sent to study under Albertus Magnus, regarded as one the most learned men of his time, his fellow novices called him Dumb Ox because he was stocky and reserved. But the great German philosopher said, “This ox will one day fill the world with his bellowing.”

True enough, Aquinas grew into one of the most influential theologians and philosophers in the world with about 80 works ascribed to him. He is without doubt the most influential Catholic philosopher.

PREVENTION pays well than luck. That’s why vigilance is an effective security measure against crime inside and outside the campus.

The lopsided 50:1 student to security guard ratio in UST should encourage Thomasians to start their own safety precautions. The Varsitarian gathers some simple and useful tips to enhance personal security.

1. Be on the lookout for suspicious-looking individuals inside and outside of UST.

2. Always look snappy and assertive to frighten any potential malefactors.