USG president delivers 2nd SUSGA for AY 2022-2023
University Student Government (USG) President Charlene Mae Completo delivered the second State of the University Student Government Address (SUSGA) for their term, detailing USG’s accomplishments throughout the academic year and updates on the status of other pending concerns.
Student leaders, administrators, and invited members of the Lasallian community attended the second SUSGA on July 18 at Ugnayang La Salle (ULS).
USG’s projects throughout the academic year
USG spearheaded a total of 13 events for academic year (AY) 2022-2023 which includes University-wide events such as:
- Ikot La Salle: A Campus Grand Walk, USG’s first onsite event for the AY on September 7, 2022.
- Celebration of International Lasallian Days for Peace and commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law on September 21, 2022.
- Opening concert Marahuyo 2023 for Students’ Week on March 13.
- Ginoo at Binibining La Salle Dasmariñas 2023 during Students’ Week on March 15. The pageant is also an outreach event that gathers funds for USG’s beneficiaries: the Performing Arts Group (PAG), security, and contractual personnel of the University.
- Intramurals 2023, “Malakasang Labanan” which was held onsite after a 4-year hiatus on April 24 to April 28.
Completo also highlighted different programs and legislations of USG for the academic year, including:
- USG Financial Aid Grant for the first semester, which granted financial assistance to 20 Lasallian students.
- Expanded USG Financial Aid Grant for the second semester, which increased the number of grantees to 35 students.
- Feeding Program Appropriations Act for cats and dogs within the campus.
- Transparency report of the USG President for the first semester.
- Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) Act of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas which include diversity programs and policies, gender-sensitive activities, and inclusive sports teams. The SOGIE Act also establishes the Office of SOGIE Affairs under USG’s Executive Department.
- Recognizing Mental Health Emergency Act which seeks to affirm the right of Lasallian students to be assisted in any health emergency. Under the Act, mental health emergencies shall be considered as a medical emergency which will be taken into consideration before giving a student a grade of 0.0.
- Digital Sharing and Communication Policies for Student Governments Act which aims to provide student leaders a safer and more secure platform for communication and exchange of information.
General Updates
Throughout the SUSGA, Completo shed light on USG’s actions regarding pertinent issues that took place within the University during the AY, including the cross-dressing incident on December 2 last year.
Aside from the official statement released by the USG on December 3, Completo stated that the incident was not immediately reported to USG. Still, Completo relayed in the SUSGA that USG reached out and held a meeting with the Sports Development Office (SDO), Office of Vice President for Linkages and External Affairs (OVPLEA) demanding a public apology from the student-athletes involved in the incident. As a response, SDO held a gender sensitivity seminar for athletes and coaches.
Completo also discussed the actions taken in coordination with the College of Tourism and Hotel Management Student Government (CTHMSG) regarding the incident on March 14 involving local artist Michael Pangilinan and a DLSU-D student. Completo explained that CTHMSG, alongside the college dean, agreed to prioritize the concerned student’s welfare and to ban Pangilinan from participating in future events at the University.
As for the University’s COVID-19 response, Completo admitted that the USG was “called out many times for our response to different challenges.” She then refers to USG’s transparency report released on October 22 to highlight the administration’s response and considerations. She added that USG is currently working on a resolution along with implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to allow the release of P2 million COVID-19 funds spearheaded by the previous administration.
Completo also addressed other pending concerns that USG plans to accomplish before the official turnover, citing general updates from concerned offices and organizations.
For transparency, she relayed that the Internal Auditing Services (IAS) has completed the first semester audit, while the second semester audit remains in progress. Completo also mentioned that the University of Student Commission on Elections (USEC) is processing the appointment of the new USG President and Vice President in line with the developments of the 2023 Special Elections, which included the withdrawal of sole Executive Branch candidates. USG’s Judiciary and Legislative Branch are also set to continue working on pending cases.
In terms of legislation, the Research Grant Act, Paperless Bill, and Anti Red-Tagging Bill are still pending and assured that discussions remain in place.
What’s next for USG policies
Aside from accomplishments and pending concerns, Completo disclosed University-wide projects that students can look forward to in the next AY. This includes the Shuttle Service Program, a point-to-point transportation system within the University to be launched in collaboration with the General Services Office (GSO), which was also included in her first SUSGA.
Completo also mentioned a possible self-defense training program for students, which she disclosed as an outcome of their conversations with the Chancellor. As of press time, she shared that the committee is looking for potential instructors for the program.
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As she ends her second SUSGA, Completo reminds student leaders to continue pushing for inclusive policies in the University, and states that “We are Lasallian student leaders chosen by the Lasallians, for the Lasallians.”
