University of the Philippines System Vinzons Basement, UP Diliman,

Quezon City, Philippines 1101 uposr.secretariat@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/upstudentregent 9818500 loc 4511

OFFICE OF THE STUDENT REGENT

Report of the Student Regent on the 1298th BOR Meeting

(Executive House, 30 June 2014, 9:20 AM)

OATH TAKING OF 32nd STUDENT REGENT

The 1298th BOR meeting marked the last day of SR Krista Iris Melgarejo as Student Regent of

the University. As a way of giving gratitude to her services, the BOR, led by Chair Patricia

Licuanan presented the citation of service to SR Melgarejo.

As SR Melgarejo’s term expired, the BOR welcomed their new member, Mr. Neill John Macuha

of UP Los Baños, as the new Student Regent. His oath to office was facilitated by Chair Patricia

Licuanan and is effective until the selection of the next Student Regent.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES

1297thMeeting, 28 March 2014

On the Proposed 2012 Code of Student Conduct

This discussion of the 2012 Code of Student Conduct (CSC) is a continuation of the discussions

in the previous BOR meetings.

UP Diliman Chancellor, Dr. Michael Tan, was recognized by the board as one of the resource

person on the 2012 Code of Student Conduct (CSC). Chancellor Tan then asked the Board to

allow a student representative from the UPD USC Students’ Rights and Welfare Committee to

sit as an observer. The request of the Chancellor was granted by the Board.

Chair Licuanan asked SR Macuha to update the BOR on the recent developments with regard

to the 2012 CSC of UP Diliman in order to help the Board decide on the matter. SR Macuha

moved that Former SR Melgarejo stay in order to help him discuss the 2012 CSC. His motion

was granted. However, the Board did not entertain SR Macuha’s request that the two SRs

present a timeline in order to contextualize the recent updates on the 2012 CSC.

Without a discussion of the timeline, the Chair proceeded immediately in calling Chancellor Tan

to present the 2012 CSC. Tan maintained that the version of the University Council (UC), voted

last December 2012 be the one tabled upon for the BOR’s approval. He added that any

insertion of amendments which were tackled during succeeding dialogues of SR Melgarejo and

other student leaders with then-Chancellor Saloma be nullified as they merit substantial

changes to that of which the UC approved.

Subsequent dialogues with Chancellor Saloma minimized the recruitment ban for fraternities

and sororities to one semester and lifted the ban for all other organizations. It also granted the

inclusion of a provision on academic freedom so as to serve as safeguard against certain

contentious provisions.

To note, the UC-approved 2012 CSC contains provisions which have been rejected by the

student body such as the ban on ALL organizations to recruit students who have not completed

one semester of residency in the University and vague provisions subject to relative

interpretation such as “breach of peace” and “disruptive behaviour” among others.

Regent Rep. Roman Romulo inquired on the Board’s power to veto something that the UC

already approved. The Vice President for Legal Affairs (VPLA) affirmed the Board’s capacity. He

then suggested that the Board come up with stricter guidelines for fraternities and sororities,

stating the recent news on hazing. Hence, the one-year ban. This has been seconded by

Regent Sen. Pia Cayetano.

SR Macuha raised a point of contention on where the discussion was heading. He argued that

the mere imposition of a recruitment ban for all organizations shall hinder the constitutionally

guaranteed right of students to organize and clearly undermines their capacity to discern which

organization they want to join. He also added that the Board must consider what was agreed

upon by the students with then-Chancellor Saloma and start with this as a point of unity in

discussing the 2012 CSC. Pres. Pascual rejected this plea and cited that it is not only the

fraternities and sororities being controlled but all organizations in order to allow the freshman

students to cope with university life. This point has been debunked by SR Macuha stating that

coping mechanisms are relative to the person; adding the previous suggestion of the VPLA

which is in agreement to the position of the students.

Chancellor Tan asked the Board if they are willing to defer the approval of the 2012 CSC as he

may want to consult the UC on their meeting on July 07. SR Macuha supported this request

from Tan so that students may be able to lobby their contentions to the UC as well. Pres.

Pascual overruled this suggestion and asserted that the 2012 CSC be approved already.

SR Macuha pleaded to the board that instead of passing the 2012 CSC, the Board must instead

approve the Student Handbook on Rights and Responsibilities (SHRR), a student-crafted

document passed during the second GASC of SR Conti’s term. Pres. Pascual refused that the

SHRR be discussed stating that if the students really want to pass the SHRR, then it must go

through the proper channels (i.e. UC).

The BOR then approved the 2012 Code of Student Conduct, with only the Student Regent

objecting its approval. The approved version imposed a longer ban on the recruitment of

fraternities and sororities to one year (two semesters), contrary to the UC approved of one

semester for the said classification. It also maintained the one semester ban for the rest of the

organizations and the vague provisions “breach of peace” and “disruptive behavior.”

On the Modernization of Undergraduate Degree Offerings of the University

Regent Sen. Cayetano raised a concern that the degree offerings in the University be updated

in order to be more appealing to students as this may help UP in its aim to be at par with other

universities in the world. In addition, she mentioned that the University must be more lenient in

letting students have double major and institutionalize joint programs within units across the

system. Pres. Pascual and VPAA Concepcion responded positively stating that they are working

together in doing so.

SR Macuha expressed agreement with such proposal and reiterated that this shall be done not

at the expense of the University fulfilling its mandate as the national university. He maintained

that it is the job of the University to create degree programs that will help our fellow Filipinos.

Pres. Pascual then clarified that the SR must not take internationalization as against the

mandate of the University. SR Macuha responded to this retort clarifying that he is not making

such conflicts but merely reminding the BOR of the University’s nationalist tradition. Regent

Sen. Cayetanon agreed with SR Macuha and suggested that UP institutionalize a degree on

Social Entrepreneurship, in which, UP should be at the forefront of other schools in the country.

On the Contract with SC Megaworld Constuction and Development Corp. for the NIH

Building in UP Manila

VPLA Uy asked that the Board to suspend approval of contract pending some legal work on it.

The Board agreed.

GENERAL GOVERNANCE

On Ortoll Primary Reproductive Health Care Center, UP Manila

Dr. Lapeña, UP Manila Vice Chancellor for Administration, discussed to the Board about the

said center. Ortoll was formerly under the stewardship of the Philippine General Hospital.

However, due to some issues in auditing, Ortoll was foreclosed. After his discussion, he then

asked the BOR to approve his proposal to reopen Ortoll; this time, under the management of

the UP Manila Administration.

Pres. Pascual raised that the UP Manila Administration may be violating terms in the naming

rights provision of the University by naming the whole center after David Ortoll, the benefactor.

Secretary De Las Llagas then reminded Chair Licuanan that Regent Albarracin is raising some

issues regarding the facility. While, in light of the issues arising from Lapeña’s presentation,

Staff Regent Ramirez raised concern that the BOR is being rushed in coming up with a

decision; to which Chair Licuanan agreed. The Board deferred the discussion and approval until

the next meeting on July 31, 2014.

Appointment of University Officials

UP System

Asst. Prof. Nelson Cainghog – Director, UP Padayon

Prof. Christopher Espina – Director, Office of Design and Planning Initiatives (ODPI)

UP Diliman

Prof. Danilo Concepcion – Dean, College of Law (Lone nominee)

UP Open University

Assoc. Prof. Patricia Arinto, Dean of Faculty Education

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS The BOR approved the application for extension of Dr. Jose Gonzales as faculty. Faculty Regent Abadingo clarified that this is not an extension on his directorship of the Philippine General Hospital. MATTERS FOR THE CONFIRMATION OF THE BOARD SR Macuha raised some concerns with regard to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UP and BCDA on the Clark Green City Project in line with the permanent relocation site for the Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga. He also added that this Clark Green City may trespass lands which are inhabited by cultural minorities. President Pascual noted the issues raised by the Student Regent. For the students and the people, NEILL JOHN G. MACUHA Student Regent University of the Philippines System