THE UNIVERSITY has allowed its academic units to raise online classes to up to 50% of course hours, amid the national energy conservation directives due to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
In a memorandum dated March 26, the Office of the Secretary General said academic units were given the flexibility to increase online classes for the remainder of the term, but not more than 50% of total class hours.
Academic units were told to allocate a higher proportion of onsite classes for skill-based and technical courses to achieve intended learning outcomes. Summative assessments and validation of online submissions must remain onsite.
The University Crisis Management Committee’s Subcommittee on Natural and Environmental Crises recommended campus-wide energy conservation and the utilization of renewable sources.
Under this directive, air-conditioning units across the campus must be set to 24 degrees Celsius, operate for limited hours, and be turned off in open or common areas, the memo said.
The Counseling and Career Center will continue to provide onsite and online psychosocial support services.
The Miguel de Benavides Library will remain open six days a week, the memo said.
Regulated use and scheduling adjustments will also be implemented at energy-intensive facilities such as the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Other practices such as hybrid meetings, reduced elevator use, no-idling policies, and campus mobility initiatives will be enforced and promoted.
“The University remains committed to safeguarding the well-being of the Thomasian community, while exercising responsible stewardship of resources and fostering a spirit of solidarity, prayer, and resilience,” the memo stated.
USTFU President Emerito Gonzales earlier submitted a letter to the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, suggesting a shift to online classes due to rising fuel prices resulting from the conflict in the Middle East.
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Amid rising fuel prices, transport groups Manibela and Piston launched transport strikes in March, prompting UST to shift to the enriched virtual mode of instruction and remote work arrangements.
