CASS PC, student leaders tackle fee-funded projects

Report by Mandie Asejo | Photo by Leean Margarette Magat

Parent Council (PC), along with student leaders from the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS), convened last Saturday, August 30, at the Smith Hall Building to discuss budget allocations for first-semester activities and to propose a new project for students.

The meeting was attended by all student presidents from different organizations, CASS Student Council (SC), Parent Council, and Dr. Brendalyn Manzano, Dean of the College.

Parent Council President Mr. Meynard Buena highlighted the importance of making students aware of where their contributions go.

“Hindi nalalaman ng mga students na yung contribution nila ay napupunta sa mga activities ninyo. Hindi ba aware ang bawat estudyante diyan na bumabalik sa kanila yung pera sa mga activities ninyo?” Mr. Buena emphasized.

One of the key proposals was the installation of water dispensers in classrooms, which Mr. Buena said was part of their initial plan.

He also added that the Parent Council initially planned to purchase high-end dispensers to show students that their contributions were being returned to them.

However, Mr. Buena clarified that practicality mattered more than brand.

“Sabi ko maging flexible tayo dun. Importante ay implement natin yung project kahit doon tayo sa mura. Meron kasi na ₱4,500 na dispenser... Ang tanong bakit gusto naming mangyari ang project na ito? Sa opinion kasi namin as PC officers, ito yung everyday na nakikita ng mga students natin na, ‘ah ito tubig ko to,’ so nararamdaman nila yung contribution nila.”

Student leaders, however, raised concerns about the usefulness of the proposal. Philip Lara, President of Linguistics Society (LingSoc), suggested placing dispensers in corridors instead of classrooms to reduce costs and improve accessibility.

Mr. Buena countered that the original plan was to provide four units, but this might not be enough given the large student population. He also stressed that classroom placements were safer.

CASS Dean Dr. Manzano noted that the building is also used by students from other colleges, which could complicate the dispenser project.

Meanwhile, Alexanndra Santiago, President of COESSE Psychological Society, pointed out issues of locked classrooms and restrictions on students staying in rooms without classes, which could limit access to the dispensers.

CASS Governor Clarise Dacanay also voiced concern over monitoring.

“Siguro po on our end sa Student Council, maganda po yung project, kaya lang po yung feasibility po yung question. Kasi po for example, nasa rooms po yung mga water gallon, iba na po yung mga nandoon. Tsaka po sir, kaunti lang po kaming officers kaya hindi po namin mamo-monitor,” she said.

Other student leaders suggested redirecting the budget toward more urgent needs such as fixing broken bidets, installing additional trash bins in restrooms, HDMI, or purchasing printer for student orgs.

Additionally, organization presidents also presented their activity plans that would require funding from the students’ contributions.

After further deliberation, the Parent Council and student leaders agreed to drop the water dispenser proposal due to practicality issues. Instead, they will prioritize other projects such as repairing bidets, installing trash bins, HDMI, and providing printer per student orgs.