USC discuss proposed ‘University Student Government’ in second town hall meeting

The University Student Council (USC) conducted a two-day town hall meeting from May 3 to 4 to discuss the major revisions in the current USC Constitution, particularly the proposal  to change the University Student Council to University Student Government (USG), held at the POLCA Multi-Purpose Hall and GSB 108 located at the College of Business Administration and Accountancy building.

According to USC 2017-2018 President Israel Pajarillo, the current USC advocated the change to USG to resolve student apathy by empowering the students. This also aims to further uphold the accountability of student leaders regarding the position they hold in office due to the absence of a penalty clause in the current constitution for student leaders who have committed an offense.

Moreover, the new structure was proposed to avoid cross branching between different positions in the office to remove the hold of the administration to the new USG.

“Gusto naming (current USC) maalis, ay ‘yong hold ng Admin … dapat ang may hold ay ‘yong students.”

As to when will the new revision be implemented, Pajarillo said that it will be effective second semester of academic year (AY) 2018-2019 once the majority of the student population (50% + 1) has voted in favor of the proposed USG in the upcoming plebiscite this coming May 7 to 12.

Meanwhile, one of the attendees, Psychology Program Council Auditor Beatrice Bautista raised a concern on the effect brought about by the USG and the new constitution on the various program councils, “Kailangan ba sundin ng mga program councils ang USG and CSG (College Student Government) in terms of the official line up [of the program councils] or hanggang legislative board lang ang susundin ng mga program councils?”

Pajarillo answered that it will be under the jurisdiction of the CSG on whether or not the program council line up will be changed or retained.

Moreover, Bautista added that it will be better if the proposed USG and the new constitution will have jurisdiction over the program councils.

“Para mas malinis yung mga process … Meron naman silang (current USC) jurisdiction. Pero ‘yong proposed consti[tution], wala masyado. They said na nasa autonomous power na yung CSG. So bale, si CSG na bahala kay program council,” Bautista said.

The Town Hall meeting was attended by representatives from various program councils, the Student Commission on Election, student organizations, block presidents, and students from various colleges in DLSU-D.

The proposed composition of the USG to the new constitution will consist of the Executive Board, Legislative Board, and the Judiciary Board. (See: The complete composition of the new USG here and fast facts here)