POWER THAT EMPOWERS

STUDENTS RIGHTS AND WELFARE COMMITTEE PROPOSAL PANGILINAN, Allan M. Councilor, UP Diliman University Student Council A.Y. 2015-2016

We have begun to listen to the narratives of every Iskolar ng Bayan.

Now, we move forward.

I. Definition of Terms STUDENT o odn

a person who is studying at a school or college. denoting someone who is studying in order to enter a particular profession. a person who takes an interest in a particular subject.

RIGHT r

that which is morally correct, just, or honorable. a moral or legal entitlement to have or obtain something or to act in a certain way.

WELFARE welfer

the health, happiness, and fortunes of a person or group.

What, then, is the STRAW Committee? The Constitution of the UP Diliman University Student Council provides for the defence and promotion of the rights and general welfare of the University studentry and the Filipino people. It is therefore clear that the USC, through the STRAW Committee, should be at the forefront taking the student body to the realization of this mandate. The student body, a sector on its own, still has its subsectors freshies, organization members, athletes, dormers, advocates, leaders etc; and as an institution we should be able to cater to the needs of these subsectors. The STRAW Committee should know how to defend the existing

rights and identify the ones that need to be institutionalized. In listening to the narratives of the students, the STRAW Committee should be set to lie out campaigns, activities, and services that are concrete and relevant.

It is with deep understanding that giving premium to a student-centred STRAW Committee addressing the needs of the student body is part of the grander picture of them being of service to the Filipino people because in addressing these kinds of needs do we better equip them to be able to be one with the struggles of all within and outside the university.

CONTEXT: The ideal state of a student is still far from reach. As much as we are free in our university, various forms of discrimination are still present and violations of rights are still evident. In a larger context of the student movement and the collective struggle, a lot of the Filipino students are still below the state that they should be in a state where their education is quality, relevant and accessible.

MISSION: POWER THAT EMPOWERS

1. To be student-oriented The STRAW Committee will establish connections through regular org visits, attending STRAW-related events of local councils, being responsive to student concerns in the implementation of its projects, and following up students who come to the USC for assistance.

2. To be proactive The STRAW Committee should be at the forefront of innovative and multi-leveled campaigns ha will effec ivel forward he uden agenda. The commi ee approach hall include educational discussions, lobbying works, mobilizations, etc., as long as deemed necessary.

3. To be all-encompassing STRAW is not only for UP students but for students in general, thus, when practicable, we will expand our campaigns and projects outside the campus and engage councils and organizations from other schools and communities. Recognizing that other sectors also are stakeholders of the state of the students, it is also incumbent for the STRAW Committee to include their perspectives.

The quest of each and every

student is to learn for and from

the people; and struggle for

and with the people for social

justice and social progress.

VISION

STRUCTURE

PLAN OF ACTION: FLAGSHIP CAMPAIGNS AND PROJECTS

1. PROGRESSIVE TUITION ROLLBACK Adjustment of tuition rates for lower brackets to pay less. Despite the efficiency of the current system, it still remains to be unjust and regressive. As it stands now, despite the 30% across-brackets increase in income thresholds which have effectively translated into lower tuition rates for students covered by the increase (e.g. students with household incomes of 1.0 to less than 1.3 million pesos now pay tuition at P1,000 instead of the former P1,500), the tuition rates remain regressive. Students under lower brackets continue to pay a higher percentage of their income per unit (0.14% and 0.16% for Brackets C and D) than those in the higher brackets (0.06% and 0.12% for Brackets A and B . A he ame ime, recen informa ion ha revealed ha UP in ernall genera ed income combined with its higher budget from government in fact allows for a proportional reduction in tuition rates, albeit still not sufficient for completely free education the dream that we all aspire for. The way forward is a progressive tuition rollback. We will forward further reforms to the STS to decrease tuition rates across-brackets but at higher decreases for lower brackets. For example, tuition for Bracket A students can be reduced from P1,500 to P1,300 per unit at 0.05% of their income while tuition for Bracket D students can be reduced from P300 to P38 at 0.01% of their income.

PROCESS: 1. Informa ion di emina ion abou he re ul of he USC 1415 Comprehen ive Surve . 2. Mee ing wi h o her USC of he UP S em o di cu he aid propo al. 3. Presentation of the said proposal in the UCSFA Meeting. 4. Call for support from the students.

2. UNIVERSITY STUDENT CENTER A venue for org activities and student services. Space for general assemblies, fora, contests, income-generating projects, and other activities of student organizations, fraternities, and sororities as well as group meetings for our classes, study dates, and even activities among circles of friends has always been a problem in the University. The result is a resort to rented venues that we pay for and tediously process through different offices or settling counterproductively for cramped spaces in our tambayans, libraries, and colleges. The way forward is the building of a University Student Center that will systematically and efficiently provide rooms and venues for org activities on demand and services for students such as use of LCD projectors and sound systems, reservation of spaces for small-group meetings, and review hubs, among others all for free. We will secure the preparations and

contracts needed to start the design and actual building of the Student Center, preferably in Vinzons Hall.

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON

DEPUTY FOR DORMERS

DEPUTY FOR ATHLETES

DEPUTY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND ADVOCACY

DEPUTY FOR ORGANIZATIONS, FRATENITIES, AND SORORITIES

CHIEF STRAW DEPUTY/ NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS DEPUTY

DEPUTY FOR THE CIRCLE OF INDIVIDUALS

Process: 1. Check-up of the allotted budget for students especially for the renovation of the Vinzons Hall. 2. Student Consultations on what facilities would they want to see in the said center. 3. Meet with UP Admin (OVCSA, OCA etc.) for the comprehensive planning. 4. Ceremonial ground-breaking for the activity center.

3. INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF THE UP DILIMAN STUDENTS MAGNA CARTA -- A uden righ code and ribunal. From magically generated grades without opportunity for appeals and deductions for absences perfectly within the allowable maximum to discriminatory classroom practices and arbitrary administrative policie and procedure, uden righ viola ion happen ever da in he Univer i righ under our noses. The reason these violations go surreptitiously unnoticed is also their most oppressive characteristic: They are little, casual acts regularized by a lack of formal recourse and a culture of impunity. The way forward is the assertion, recognition, and enforcement of our rights under a Magna Carta of UP Students which will codify our academic, civil, political, and economic rights in the Univer i and e abli h a S uden Righ Tribunal o r and puni h profe or and admin official for violations. We will forward the passage of the Magna Carta through creative action and direct lobbying with the Board of Regents.

Process: 1. Magna Carta Congress the signing of the Magna Carta Drafting Commission of the document. 2. Printing of the document on The Oblation for he uden informa ion. 3. Referendum and a massive campaign for support for the document. 4. Presentation of the said document to the proper administration (University Council, OC, OVCSA, BOR etc.)

OTHER PLANS: National Campaigns

1. Campaign for a QUALITY, ACCESSIBLE, AND RELEVANT EDUCATION a. Higher budget for the education sector (with all SUCs) b. Equitable support across all disciplines c. Improvement of the basic education d. Integration of the social issues into the education system e. Budget Watch Initiative

2. #STRAWng Defense and Promotion of the rights of a Filipino Student through

the STRAW Bill 3. Suportahan Taka -- Support for teaching and non-teaching staff of schools, colleges, and universities 4. STRAW Agenda review and proposal of policies (including but not limited to RPHER, HEMA, K to 12 etc.) that will

advance the rights and welfare of the student body within and outside the halls of the House of Representatives. 5. STRAW Campus Hubs promotion of STRAW in partnership with other universities and colleges. May serve as a

venue for relevant projects and exchange of best practices from different academic institutions

LOCAL PLANS

General Plans of Action for UP

1. Pasok lang nang pasok addressing the admission problems of our university a. Increased affirmative action on less privileged students b. Admin-initiated efforts of reaching out to possible UP students through

i. Making UPCAT accessible ii. Free review sessions

iii. On-ground orientations

2. UP Naming Mahal Review and possible abolitions of increasing other school fees. We shall be vigilant in monitoring rental fees and laboratory fees, to make such services accessible to every Iskolar ng Bayan. In addition, we shall also call for transparency when it comes to the budgeting process of the university including the profits gained from partnerships.

3. To UP and Beyond! ensuring the sustainability of UP education. Increase in the following should be made: a. Transportation, book, dorm etc. allowances b. Wages of student/research assistants c. Information dissemination and accessibility of scholarships and other aids

4. STRAW Hotline to ensure that students will always have an emergency contact number to refer to if they have

urgent grievances or concerns involving STRAW.

5. #OpenChannels Compilation of offices that are/may be related to STRAW, or that may be coordinated with for STRAW matters (e.g. DLRC, OASH, OSH). This includes the release of a list of offices that may be approached, what institutions and offices may aid them should any STRAW concerns arise. Under this project, we may hold periodic dialogues with offices to maintain relations and to raise any possible concerns.

6. STRAW Circle Alliance of council members focused on STRAW. This shall serve a venue to air out concerns and exchange of best practices from different perspectives.

7. Break the Code A continued campaign for a pro-student Code of Student Conduct. 8. UP THE BUDGET -- This project aims to engage the students and the university administration more proactively in

the budgeting process of the university budgeting process. It is in our firm belief that a budget proposal pooled from the grassroots level is one that would truly reflect the needs of those who are directly experiencing the quality of education in our university. In addition, this campaign shall also be a transparency and accountability initiative of the council. We shall be accessing the documents pertaining to the internal operating budget per college and/or the proposals they are making/have made.

9. Open OSR -- This will serve as the independent auditing function for the SR who represents all UP students in the highe polic making bod of UP. The ini ia ive aim o a ure he uden of he SR performance and compliance as a student and a governmen official. I will guaran ee ha he uden inpu on policie made b he BOR are forwarded to the said body

10. Students Anti-Fraternity Violence Watch Alliance (SAWA) serve as the specific point persons who will head the USC effort to address the issue of fraternity related violence.

11. Enrolment Survey Forms Proper coordination of the demands and supplies of subjects during enrolment.

12. Tambayan Bantayan! Shall do a comprehensive mapping of student spaces here in our university to know the equitable division that may be implored for bot affiliated and non-affiliated students.

13. Asset Check-up Revisiting the contracts entered by UP with its partners with focus on the academic nature of the instituions that were built.

For the Dormers

1. KaOSHapin comprehensive dialogue with the Office of the Student Housing that will seek to address the problems of dormers when it comes to admission, food security, and facilities among others. Targets are the following:

a. Transparency in the admission process and possible counter-policy recommendations

b. Provision of a well-consulted concessionaire for dorms

c. Increase in the accessibility of a food source that is of good quality and affordable d. Improvement of the general facilities of in-house students e. Increase in the recreational spaces of the dormers

2. The BRAW Code an initiative that will secure the rights and welfare of boarders in the university, from admission

up to the provision of their basic services.

For the Organizations, Fraternities, Sororities

1. CA-Org (Comprehensive Assistance for Organizations) The USC will spearhead assistance programs which will allow the simplification of requirements, streamlining of recognition process, and mapping of spaces for tambayan. Furthermore, this project will serve as the mechanism for regular org visits and dialogues which have for their purpose an opportunity to inform orgs of USC campaigns and to gather their specific org concerns and stands on different issues.

2. University-Wide Organization Fair this shall seek to promote the organizations in our university and hopefully would aid other small orgs to increase the number of their members.

3. The Greek Fair considering that fraternities and sororities have a unique culture, this event that will last for one week would be a venue for them to showcase who they are and what they do as an organization. Only recognized fraternities and sororities will be allowed to participate in the said event.

For the Athletes

1. Athletes Welfare Desk online and on-ground grievance centers where athletes and members of the varsity may air out their concerns of which will be addressed by the University Student Council. This

desk shall seek to answer problems like abusive coaches, fair treatment for members in or out of the line-ups etc.

We shall to seek to provide the following: a. Empowerment of athletes through strengthened assistance centers b. Education of varsity members about their rights c. Equitable facilities (housing, equipment etc.) d. Proper recognition through achievement portals e. Promotion of their games for increased number of audience

For the Students with Special Needs and/or Advocacy

1. CREED The Cooperation for Religious Expression and Empowerment in Diliman aims to foster religious freedom in the University. It will be a formation for all religions that will ensure that all faithful and non-faithful students get to co-exist in a peaceful and respectful atmosphere. Ultimately, we aim to be able to establish places of worship for more religions being practiced with UP.

2. STRAW Specials desks that will seek to address the special and other needs of certain student sectors (e.g. PWDs). Thi hall al o include he promo ion of uden achievemen and erve a por al for oppor uni ie and scholarships in and out of the country

3. PROMdi (Promoting Diversity and Identity) strengthened ties with the SANLAHI alliance for their campaigns, activities, and services.