Q: Were there any projects of the previous USSC that you continued? What are these?
A: Yes. Before my term, the USSC LED BY Mr. Wilfred Alfeche in S.Y. 2013-2014 saw the approved of a Board resolution on the Federation Fund. The Federation Fund resolution required the consolidation of the membership fee of all students from the main and the external campus. In my term, we adapted it and made some ammendments. Under the Federation Fund Act (FFA), the USSC will allocate a maximum of P30,000 for university project. FFA was implemented last year on my term in which the Villaba campus benefited first. Some of the USSC funds last year were also spent in paying for construction of the Ecopark benches which was left unpaid during Alfache’s term. However, the USSC funds were not sufficient to pay the dues in full. The balance will be taken care by this year’s USSC officers.
Q: Any further accomplishments of the council last year?
A: The USSC called for a meeting with all College Supreme Student Council members so that all student organization activities in the campus will be tied up to the advocacies and objectives of the USSC. The Student Federation Act which was improved last year covered the impeachment rules as well as the organizational structure. The USSC is at the top, CSSC is at the middle and below are the departments where students are directly connected. Because for how many years with the previous structure, it seems like the USSC is too far from the students. After the destruction of the typhoon Yolanda, the USSC members assisted the administration in determining the students who financially needed support. Scholarship grants were established for those who were affected most by the super typhoon. All in all, the USSC approved 39 Board Resolutions, some are administerial, and some are policies and projects. Last year, we focused on creating policies to sustain a better system.
Q: Were there any problems in finances that the USSC had encountered?
A: There were no major problems in finances last year. This is partly due to the formulation of the Financial Code, authored by Ms. Dema Vanessa Tampus, the USSC treasurer. The code created a manual of operations that will guide incoming treasurers and auditors in presenting financial reports, keeping the receipts and other important financial management tasks.
Q: What were the projects that the council had accomplished?
A: Using the fund (Federation Fund), the Villaba campus was able to construct their Student Council Office. The second campus to receive funding support was Isabel which they used for the renovation of their students’ kiosk or center since it was destroyed when typhoon Yolanda struck. The project was realized when the second semester almost ended. This was also the reason why the council was not able to implement projects in the main campus because we decided to attend to the needs of the external campuses first. Based on USSC reports, the external campuses were not given much attention for more than four years. The goal of the FFA is to create a more solid camaraderie and partnership among the campuses. With what the USSC under my term has started building, the present officers will continue to adapt the system and the next beneficiary will be the Alang-alang campus, followed by Tolosa, and finally the main campus. This cycle will continue in the years to come.
Last March 2014 also, the USSC initiated a two-day Leadership seminar at the Beach Garden Resort which was participated by all student council members except Alang-alang and Tolosa. There were 90-100 participants. All expenses were paid by USSC and USSO. The purpose of that activity was to establish camaraderie among the officers. The event was successful. There was a sharing of lessons learned from the past administration. The event also saw the election of the new USSC officers for S.Y. 2014-2015.
Q: As a former USSC president, any words for the new set of USSC officers?
A: As I always emphasize during the assembly… the love for our fellow students is the best motivation to work. Since I’m still here in VSU, I’m willing to help and share my experiences. At least they will not be blinded, and they could ask me ideas.
-Clar Don Evangelio
USSC President S.Y. 2013-2014
Q: What were the activities or projects that the USSC had accomplished on the first semester?
A: June 16, 2014, the SSC organized the Freshmen Night. It was one of the most successful events for the first semester. Each College did different activities for their respective students. Some Colleges even gave their students giveaways as a welcome symbol.
The USSC also sponsored the medals for the Most Valuable Players during the Intramurals last July 23-25.
On August, the USSC had its first Income Generating Projects (IGP). USSC sponsored the Miss VSU People’s Choice Awards wherein each candidate had its own voting box. It was a monetary vote, in which P1.00 is counted as one vote. 50% of the money went to the respective College of each candidate, 40% went to the USSC, and the remaining 10% was given to the candidate.
On September, the USSC together with the VSU Debate Society organized the inter-Collegiate Debate. Each College had their own representatives for the said debate. The USSC’s goal is to encourage the students to look at campus issues and think critically about them.
Q: Aside from campus activities, are there any plans or development within the council?
A: There is this Memorandum of Agreement between the USSC and VSU Alang-Alang Student Council that by the end of the semester, provided that they have already contributed the Student Federation Fund. Alang-Alang will have its CSSC Office or a student kiosk. After the completion of the project at VSU Alang-Alang campus, the USSC will implement a project at VSU Tolosa.
The concerns and problems of the external campuses have already been brought up to the council. I found out just early this semester that the other scholars of the external campuses don’t have stipends. And the USSC is on its way to address this concern.
We also found out the excerpts of last year’s USSC proposals. One of these is the Secretary Code, which is not yet completed. We decided to complete the Secretary Code which will be headed by the present USSC secretary. Aside from that, the impeachment procedures were mentioned last year. It was motioned and approved to be transferred to the next meeting where there will be more talks and debates. So we will continue on that.
The USSC is also imposing a new rule anchored on the principle of check and balance. Since the CSSC is under the umbrella of USSC, the USSC requires each college to submit a copy of all the minutes of meetings, resolutions and financial reports to ensure that the CSSC is doing the job right especially in financial matters. These documents are submitted on the last Board meeting in every semester. Failure to submit these documents will be subjected for impeachment, the new USSC rule says.
We also made a resolution to draft the Infirmary Services Evaluation Form. We already conducted a survey in the University’s Library in the main campus. We will also be conducting surveys to the external campuses’ libraries, as well as the dormitories and the fast food. For what purpose?
Q: What are the further plans of the USSC for the next months to come?
A: In October, the USSC will have a joint activity with a non-government organization. We will host a university-wide Youth Forum on social issues, environment, disaster awareness and management and government transparency.
Hopefully, for the second semester, the USSC will have its own database of all the students’ account collected by the USSC. This will help hasten the process and the database will be useful in crafting appropriate projects. In December, USSC will implement a new IGP through a variety show.
January will be the Baybay Youth Leader’s Program, an outreach program for student leaders, particularly elementary and high school students within Baybay City. It will be organized by the USSC. January will be more on community projects and they are targeting the Ayala Foundation as sponsor.
Q: Any words for the whole student body?
A: Thank you for trusting the members of the USSC Federation Board with this great responsibility. We can’t do our vision without your help and cooperation. We’re all in this together.
-Claire Larzen Tello
USSC President S.Y. 2014-2015