Pres. De Guzman: Campus Development a Priority
Dan Esponilla Dalac, The PUP Observer, Volume 1, Issue 1, June 2012Campus development is an indispensible prerequisite in transforming the Polytechnic University of the Philippines into a leading institution in both instruction and research.
This formed part of PUP President Dr. Emanuel de Guzman’s message to over 130 University officials who attended the opening convocation cum general meeting held June 6 at the Manila Room, Hasmin Hostel, M. H. del Pilar Campus, Sta. Mesa, Manila.
The President informed Executive Vice President Dr. Victoria C. Naval, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Samuel M. Salvador, Vice President for Administration Atty. Estelita Wi Dela Rosa, Vice President for Student Services Dr. Juan C. Birion, Vice President for Finance Ms. Marissa J. Legaspi, Vice President for Research and Development Dr. Pastor B. Malaborbor and other officials that PUP expects a higher subsidy from the national government in 2013.
“PUP has a Php734,783,000.00 budget for the current year. We will receive an additional P78 million from the Department of Budget and Management for the university’s maintenance and other operating expenses next year,” Dr. de Guzman told his fellow officials.
“The DBM also allows us to pinpoint projects which can be funded outside of the PUP budget. We are going to prioritize the repair and rehabilitation of our classrooms,” Dr. de Guzman said.
The President announced that Sen. Francis G. Escudero will fund the construction of a two-story building at the main campus which will house the new printing press pledged by Speaker Feliciano R. Belmonte Jr.
Dr. Salvador, Atty. Dela Rosa and Dr. Birion shared updates on academic affairs, administration and student services, respectively after Dr. de Guzman presented his plan of transforming PUP into an epistemic community which he described as an institution capable of producing and managing knowledge for the nation and the world.
Administrative Affairs
Atty. Dela Rosa said several physical development projects were implemented in preparation for the entry and return of thousands of new and old students to PUP on June 18.
Atty. Dela Rosa reported that the following projects have been completed: repair of 500 chairs; reroofing of the College of Communication building; repainting of the College of Engineering building; and reconstruction of the walkway at the main campus.
The Graduate School Library and portions of Hasmin Hostel are also undergoing repairs while the gymnasium, swimming pool and oval at the main campus are also up for renovation.
She promised to act on requests for additional facilities and address some concerns on security and sanitation.
Academic Issues
Dr. De Guzman, responding to some queries, stated that an institutionalized system of warning and penalty must be implemented in addressing complaints against allegedly incompetent and sickly instructors whose teaching load can be limited but whose regular salaries cannot be withheld as dictated by law.
The President reminded the officials that faculty members are prohibited from selling books and other instructional materials that have not been reviewed and approved by the University Textbook and Instructional Materials Evaluation Committee (UTIMEC).
Dr. Salvador reported that teaching assignments have been prepared and sections have been formed in anticipation of the opening of classes. His only concern, he said, is the recruitment of faculty members as the process must have been done by the end of this month.
Concerns regarding the conduct of year-end graduation, admission of foreign students, and status of retired faculty members were also raised during the convocation.
Student Services
Dr. De Guzman encouraged faculty members to support his open-shelves library program by submitting a list of books deemed needed by their departments and colleges.
Dr. Birion complemented the Presdent’s program on student services by hinting at the digitalization of records and decentralization of the registrar’s office.
Student development remains a top priority of the new PUP administration although the country’s largest state university has been charging Php12.00 per unit in tuition fees since 1981.