Proposal on fee refund and term extension are among highlights of the online public consultation of Benilde Central for Student Government (CSG), in response to the extended Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and the announcement of conclusion of the current term, which aim to answer academic-related, admin-related, and other concerns of the Benildean community on Facebook live yesterday, April 9.

The academic council suspended online classes last March 22 until the supposed end of ECQ on April 14. Thus, online learning will be voluntary. However, last April 2, the academic council released a memo on the conclusion of the current term on May 5, 2020 regardless of the decision to extend the ECQ.

“The decision was carried-out supposedly to establish a state of normalcy, but from our end we have to question, what would it take to define normalcy? Because as of now, nothing is normal,” Benilde CSG President Jason Anchores said, citing the extension of ECQ which will make it more difficult for everyone.

Benilde CSG is currently conducting a survey to Benildean students regarding ECQ Extension and Academic Council’s decision to conclude the second term on May 5. Partial results of the survey regarding the extension of ECQ can be viewed at the CSG Facebook page. Furthermore, the Benildean community is encouraged to answer the survey.

In terms of refunding, Anchores said “It’s not just students that we think of. But how do we balance giving justice to our students and continuing wages for our employees. […] Benilde prides itself as an institution that takes good care of its employees.”

However, further discussion regarding refunds will be done once the CSG will have access to financial records of the College to back the proposal of CSG.

Moreover, CSG Vice President for Externals Darrel Cabarrubias discussed the updates of the projects of CSG on COVID-19. According to Cabarrubias, CSG is a member of the National Youth Response Team (NYRC), an organization that is formed by youth leaders from around the country amidst the growing global health crisis and in hopes of battling COVID19. NYRC and CSG also works with the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in facilitating a donation drive for health care workers and frontliners battling the COVID-19.

Furthermore, in partnership with Benildean Industrial Designers (BIND), CSG has launched “Benilde IDeas” open for submission from School of Design and Arts students of ideas of medical equipment such as PPEs, face masks etc. Cabarrubias said chosen designs will be sent for production and to be distributed to LGU partners and frontliners.

Recently, CSG has partnered with Philippine Medical Associations (PMA), paving the way for distribution and production of designs for frontliners from the submissions of SDA students from Benilde IDeas.

CSG has gathered contacts with hospitals which they lobbied to incorporate with the extra measures resolution for the management of COVID-19.

“As far as external relations are concerned, we will be coordinating [to incorporate extra measures for the management of COVID-19] with our immediate community such as barangays, condos and dorms in Taft, and hospitals within our vicinity,” Cabarrubias ended.

Furthermore, Benilde CSG VP for Internals Errica Buenconsejo addressed the importance of mental health amid the pandemic.

“We recently reached out to the Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) and since mental health issues such as panic attacks and anxiety may arise during these trying times, we asked them for simple guidelines whenever you experience these.” Buenconsejo said.

The summary of the guidelines can be viewed at the CSG Facebook page.

In case of concerns and inquiries, Buenconsejo reminded the Benildean community that CSG can be reached through their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and e-mail at SCG@benilde.edu.ph.

Pre-enrollment and admissions concerns

Pre-enrollment will be open from April 6 to 17, 8:00 AM to 11:59 PM. However, it will be closed from April 9 to 12 due to the Holy week. While online adjustment, where students can add or drop courses, will be from April 27 to April 30.

For pending clearances, procedure on pre-enrollment can be viewed at the Benilde CSG FB page. Once finance-related clearances are settled, students are asked to email the finance department through vc.finance@benilde.edu.ph for acknowledgement of the payment and official receipt.

Moreover, VP for Finance Darren Cabarrubias said the deadline for reservation of slots for frosh admissions is on May 8. In order to reserve a slot, email admissions@benilde.edu.ph the necessary information given by the admissions office. If the reservation fee is already paid, email the proof of payment to admissions to reserve slot.

On the other hand, CSG VP for Academics Evhan Feliciano, announced to the Benildean community that a total of 556 concerns was received through the Student’s Rights and Concerns (SRC) Portal, where students can raise academic-related, admin-related and other concerns with a majority of faculty-related and pre-enrollment concerns. While 448 concerns have been solved, the other 109 are still pending.

After the agenda discussion, an online consultation were followed where students raise their concerns through the comment section of the Facebook live and other social media platforms of CSG with #AskCSG.

Below is the summary of the public consultation:

• For graduating students supposedly on their last term, the Office of the Registrar (RO) released an updated academic calendar for A.Y. 2019-2020.

• The academic calendar has been recalled by the Registrar’s Office (RO).
• For CSB students, all dues are set on May 15, prior to the announcement of Enhanced Community Quarantine extension until April 30. Further advisories regarding payments will be given by the Finance Department.
• With appeals for Tuition Fee Refund, only if the term does not extend, the CSG will ask for financial details to substantiate proposals for refunding.
• If the ECQ persists until the following term, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will be held accountable amidst the continuation of online classes.
• Online adjustments will be held on April 27 to April 30.

For other queries, students may continue to send in their concerns through CSG’s official Facebook account, Email, and SRC Portal.