By Eruel Geronimo, Joseph Sonajo, Julianne Siscar and Janina Lastimosa
It is the same old story. But this time, it is worse.
As Bulacan State University (BulSU) unlocks new graduate and undergraduate programs, insufficient facilities welcomed 38, 913 BulSUans this academic year (AY).
An increase of student population, together with opening of new bachelor and masteral programs, means a demand on more rooms and facilities, yet BulSU admin fell short in meeting these needs.
With 16.53 percent of increase in enrollees last AY 2012-2013, BulSU hit the highest population surge but it never came to a point when students were forced to have their classes outside the usual rooms. But this year, the enrollment rate boosts by 10.55 percent, lower than last year by 5.98 percent, but then, a number of BulSUans experienced to have classes on corridors.
“Mayroon talaga kaming kota kaya lang we cannot avoid ‘yong mga requests. Madaming nakikiusap na talagang gustong-gustong makapag-aral pero wala namang kakayahang pumunta sa mga private schools. Stick to the rule, ‘di ko tatanggapin, kaya lang saan saan pupunta ‘to, ano ‘yong future ng mga tao na ‘to,” said BulSU President Mariano de Jesus.
Breaking the numbers
The College of Engineering (COE) dominated the number slate after registering 5, 483 students this AY, followed by College of Information and Communication Technology (CICT) with 3,672. In contrast, College of Industrial Technology (CIT) descends to 3,222 compared to last year’s 3,329.
Meanwhile, College of Nursing (CON) was the least populated with 408 student, while the College of Physical Education, Recreation and Sports (CoPERS) trailed with 415 students. In general, BulSU main campus’ population reached 29,487 with 12, 971 freshmen & transferees.
On the other hand, the number of students in satellite campuses boosted up to 9, 426 enrollees from the previous number of 7,290. Bustos Campus recorded the most enrollees with 4,084 followed by Sarmiento with 3, 307. Moreover, Meneses listed 1,320 and Hagonoy with 645. In addition, BulSU’s new Pulilan extension campus has 70 students upon its opening.
Despite the fact that the administration set limits for this academic year, exceeding beyond the 35,000 target university population is inevitable as the admin offered new degree programs this AY.
For better
In accordance to the referendum approved by the academic council last April 16, new undergraduate and graduate courses are now offered.
“The new courses will address the needs of the society for development. It will open new opportunities for the young people of the province in particular. Besides, these are news skills needed by the industry,” BulSU President Mariano De Jesus said when asked for the purpose behind the additional courses.
After opening BS Management Economics last year, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) started to offer Bachelor in Public Administration this year as the third program in the college. On the other hand, College of Architecture and Fine Arts (CAFA) launched Painting as new course major.
Also, CS started out Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology, originally planned as Environmental Science, a five-year course, but due to CS’s insufficiency in facilities, the idea was downgraded to a four-year program.
"One aspect kasi ng EnviSci ay 'yong study ng weather and climate, parang sa PAG-ASA, pero wala tayong gano'n ka-sufficient na facilities [weather measuring instruments] kaya we've come up sa BS Environmental Biology dahil hindi talaga natin kaya 'yong EnviSci," CS Dean Dr. Edgardo Santos said.
It was still pursued by the college upon the recommendation of the Department of Science and Technology to offer more science related courses in the university.
With these additions, BulSU admin see to it that they can provide necessary provisions to these new programs.
“From our income, we started purchasing ‘yong mga needs ng mga new program. Masa-satisfy naman kasi ‘yong mga ‘yon kasi may physical autonomy naman [ang admin] to make use of our income to purchase the needs of the students,” President De Jesus told Pacesetter.
Furthermore, Doctor of Philosophy in English Language Studies was opened to provide Master of Arts in Education Major in English (MAEd). Also, BulSU started offering Master of Arts in Education Major in Cultural Education (MAE-CE).
Meanwhile, BulSUans were not all positive regarding the additional courses now offered in the university. 3rd year Psychology stude Gene Haggai Ocampo commented, “Para sa akin, hindi reasonable 'yong pagkakaro’n ng maraming bagong course, edi mas dadami 'yong mag-e-enroll. Tipong ngayon nga hirap na sa facilities, pano pa kaya kung madadagdagan ‘yong estudyante, edi mas lalong magiging dysfunctional kasi mas dadami 'yong mga gagamit.”
And that is actually the case.
Or for worse?
This holds true as College of Science (CS) improvised classrooms to accommodate the additional 233 students in the college’s population; thus, having the students attend classes along the hallway of Federizo Hall’s 2nd floor from June 17 to August 9.
“We have to apologize kasi talagang wala pa [‘yong mga bagong rooms]. Nasa process pa lang ng pagpapagawa. Sobrang hirap dahil sa growing population, insufficient na ‘yong mga rooms. Kaya kaysa sa walang mapuntahan ‘yong mga bata doon [sa hallway] na lang muna,” lamented CS Dean Dr. Edgardo M. Santos.
Situated in an open area and thus unprotected from environmental interferences, it is unavoidable that the temporary rooms will be subjected to accidents, like the one the junior BS Math in Computer Science student Airely Medina encountered.
“May quiz lang kami no’n. Dahil wala kaming classroom, do’n kami sa corridor [nagklase], tapos biglang umulan. Malakas ‘yong hangin kaya lahat kami nabasa at nagtakbuhan. Then narinig ko nalang ‘yong sigawan nila, bigla akong napayuko at ‘yong whiteboard tumama sa ulo ko,” recalled Medina.
Located between the CS dean’s office and the faculty room, three classes of COE and two of CS were conducted in the temporary classroom. Hallway classes lasted until the conversion of Carpio Hall’s student park into two classrooms, the present CS Annex in which classes were started to be held last August 13.
“Nobody would like it to happen, it’s a freak accident, it’s unfortunate. Two things, we do not have classes on hallways or we did not admit students? Parang magulang, dumami ang anak, nagkulang sa opportunity pero binuhay, kahit kulang tayo sa rooms sine-secure pa rin natin ang high quality education,” stated Vice President for Research, Extension and Services Danilo Hilario.
Another measure that the university used to address the shortcoming in terms of classrooms is having classes scheduled not only on Saturdays but also on Sundays.
“Nakakasagabal ‘yong Sunday classes kasi ‘yong pagsisimba ko nawawala, marami naman kasi kaming bakanteng araw dapat doon nalang nilagay [‘yong subject] o kaya naman mas okay pa sa ‘min kung gabi na lang kami umuwi kaysa may Linggo pa,” exclaimed Mark Vincent Lizarondo, BSEE 2A.
Moreover, instead of having 50 students per section, most of the classrooms are now occupied by 60 to 70 students.
“Napakarami namin sa section. Sa subject nga namin na video editing, dalawang tao ang naghahati sa isang computer. Dahil sa may ka-share ka pa, ang hirap ng kumilos at s’yempre ‘di mo na matututukan ‘yong turo sa’yo ng teacher n’yo,” lamented Chriselle Joy Garcia from College of Arts and Letters.
But it seems like these problems with the classrooms are just a gist of a bigger problem.
More of BulSUans’ grumbles
Other than the inadequate rooms, BulSUans are also criticizing recurring problems with regards to other facilities.
Like in CSSP, due to the college lacking a science laboratory, Psychology studes dissect animal cadavers and specimens in their science subject along the corridors of the Araling Panlipunan at Pilosopiya (APP) building.
"Hindi conducive 'yong normal na room lang at hindi lab lalo na kapag dissection kasi nakakaperwisyo ng iba dahil sa formalin saka naiiwan ‘yong amoy, pa’no naman ‘yong mga susunod na gagamit ng room? Tapos kulang pa 'yong mga equipments tulad ng dissecting table. Hindi ka makapag-experiment nang maayos," said Jobel Angeles, a psychology student.
Also, BulSUans who hold their classes at the APP building complain about the lack of chairs in every rooms.
"Dapat kasi tugunan muna nila 'yong mga pangangailangan sa chairs kaysa sa mga bagong courses. Tulad dito [CSSP], lagi na lang kulang 'yong mga upuan sa bawat room tapos 'yong iba, puro kalawang na kaya delikado sa uniform, delikado sa mantsa," complained Mayette Carandang, BS Psych 3B.
Moreover, facilities that are supposed to provide comfort to every BulSUan are also deficient such as ventilation in every classrooms.
“Ang laki-laki ng room namin tapos dadalawa lang ‘yong electric fan tapos ‘yong iba sira pa, e ‘di ba ang alam ko mayro’n naman tayong enough funds,” said Jason Bulatao, Landscape Architecture 2A.
Students also complain about the condition of comfort rooms (CR) in the university. According to some BulSUans, the CRs lack flash and locks, and they also grumble about the cleanliness of the CRs.
“Walang trash can ‘yong ibang cubicle, saan mo itatapon kung kunwari may period ka? Maghahanap ka pa ng tapunan sa labas ng banyo. Mabaho sa CR ng BulSU, public toilet kung public toilet e. Disappointing, sana naman lagyan nila ng exhaust fan,” said Kimberly Resurreccion, Legal Management 2A.
On the other hand, the Admin sees to provide for these insuficiencies.
Projected solutions
Seeing that the number of students gets bigger and bigger, De Jesus made a step by instructing his administration to upgrade facilities and equipments to ensure quality education for every BulSUan.
“Sa mga facilities, sinasabi ko naman sa mga college deans na magsabi lang kayo. ‘Yong mga kailangan niyo, i-request niyo. Ang dilemma nga lang natin dito ay ‘yong bidding, matagal ang process kasi nga dahil tayo ay government institution, hindi pwede ‘yong ‘gusto mo nito, bibilhin na bukas,” explained De Jesus.
In addition, a building for the College of Business Administration (CBA) is currently under the process of bidding. The proposed building will be located beside the BulSU Heroes’ Park.
“‘Yong building na nakatayo doon ngayon will be demolished. On the 18th of the month [August], we will see who will win on the bidding and maybe after that, the constructing will start,” said VP Hilario.
The planned CBA building is a four-storey structure but according to Hilario, only the first storey will be provided first so that by January, which is the projected completion of the ground floor, it may already be available for use.
Moreover, De Jesus stated that he plans again to limit the student population to 35,000 next year.
“Next year hopefully, I can’t promise this, ‘yong enrollment ayoko ng napakalaki, nalulula ako sa dami. Natutuwa ako kasi marami napapag-aral natin kaya lang nagwo-worry ako baka later on mag-suffer ang quality [ng education], iyon ang inaalala ko,” said the prexy.
Despite this, some BulSUans remain unconvinced with these solutions.
“Hindi ko siya ramdam [actions by Admin to suffice insufficiency in facilities] kasi hanggang ngayon, may gabing klase pa rin. Do’n nakikita ‘yong kakulangan sa classroom kasi ‘di nadadagdagan ‘yong rooms at ‘di rin alam ng students ang projects nila [admin],” said Jenny Rose Tiburcio, BAMC 4A.
As Bulacan State University (BulSU) unlocks new graduate and undergraduate programs, insufficient facilities welcomed 38, 913 BulSUans this academic year (AY).
An increase of student population, together with opening of new bachelor and masteral programs, means a demand on more rooms and facilities, yet BulSU admin fell short in meeting these needs.
With 16.53 percent of increase in enrollees last AY 2012-2013, BulSU hit the highest population surge but it never came to a point when students were forced to have their classes outside the usual rooms. But this year, the enrollment rate boosts by 10.55 percent, lower than last year by 5.98 percent, but then, a number of BulSUans experienced to have classes on corridors.
“Mayroon talaga kaming kota kaya lang we cannot avoid ‘yong mga requests. Madaming nakikiusap na talagang gustong-gustong makapag-aral pero wala namang kakayahang pumunta sa mga private schools. Stick to the rule, ‘di ko tatanggapin, kaya lang saan saan pupunta ‘to, ano ‘yong future ng mga tao na ‘to,” said BulSU President Mariano de Jesus.
Breaking the numbers
The College of Engineering (COE) dominated the number slate after registering 5, 483 students this AY, followed by College of Information and Communication Technology (CICT) with 3,672. In contrast, College of Industrial Technology (CIT) descends to 3,222 compared to last year’s 3,329.
Meanwhile, College of Nursing (CON) was the least populated with 408 student, while the College of Physical Education, Recreation and Sports (CoPERS) trailed with 415 students. In general, BulSU main campus’ population reached 29,487 with 12, 971 freshmen & transferees.
On the other hand, the number of students in satellite campuses boosted up to 9, 426 enrollees from the previous number of 7,290. Bustos Campus recorded the most enrollees with 4,084 followed by Sarmiento with 3, 307. Moreover, Meneses listed 1,320 and Hagonoy with 645. In addition, BulSU’s new Pulilan extension campus has 70 students upon its opening.
Despite the fact that the administration set limits for this academic year, exceeding beyond the 35,000 target university population is inevitable as the admin offered new degree programs this AY.
For better
In accordance to the referendum approved by the academic council last April 16, new undergraduate and graduate courses are now offered.
“The new courses will address the needs of the society for development. It will open new opportunities for the young people of the province in particular. Besides, these are news skills needed by the industry,” BulSU President Mariano De Jesus said when asked for the purpose behind the additional courses.
After opening BS Management Economics last year, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) started to offer Bachelor in Public Administration this year as the third program in the college. On the other hand, College of Architecture and Fine Arts (CAFA) launched Painting as new course major.
Also, CS started out Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology, originally planned as Environmental Science, a five-year course, but due to CS’s insufficiency in facilities, the idea was downgraded to a four-year program.
"One aspect kasi ng EnviSci ay 'yong study ng weather and climate, parang sa PAG-ASA, pero wala tayong gano'n ka-sufficient na facilities [weather measuring instruments] kaya we've come up sa BS Environmental Biology dahil hindi talaga natin kaya 'yong EnviSci," CS Dean Dr. Edgardo Santos said.
It was still pursued by the college upon the recommendation of the Department of Science and Technology to offer more science related courses in the university.
With these additions, BulSU admin see to it that they can provide necessary provisions to these new programs.
“From our income, we started purchasing ‘yong mga needs ng mga new program. Masa-satisfy naman kasi ‘yong mga ‘yon kasi may physical autonomy naman [ang admin] to make use of our income to purchase the needs of the students,” President De Jesus told Pacesetter.
Furthermore, Doctor of Philosophy in English Language Studies was opened to provide Master of Arts in Education Major in English (MAEd). Also, BulSU started offering Master of Arts in Education Major in Cultural Education (MAE-CE).
Meanwhile, BulSUans were not all positive regarding the additional courses now offered in the university. 3rd year Psychology stude Gene Haggai Ocampo commented, “Para sa akin, hindi reasonable 'yong pagkakaro’n ng maraming bagong course, edi mas dadami 'yong mag-e-enroll. Tipong ngayon nga hirap na sa facilities, pano pa kaya kung madadagdagan ‘yong estudyante, edi mas lalong magiging dysfunctional kasi mas dadami 'yong mga gagamit.”
And that is actually the case.
Or for worse?
This holds true as College of Science (CS) improvised classrooms to accommodate the additional 233 students in the college’s population; thus, having the students attend classes along the hallway of Federizo Hall’s 2nd floor from June 17 to August 9.
“We have to apologize kasi talagang wala pa [‘yong mga bagong rooms]. Nasa process pa lang ng pagpapagawa. Sobrang hirap dahil sa growing population, insufficient na ‘yong mga rooms. Kaya kaysa sa walang mapuntahan ‘yong mga bata doon [sa hallway] na lang muna,” lamented CS Dean Dr. Edgardo M. Santos.
Situated in an open area and thus unprotected from environmental interferences, it is unavoidable that the temporary rooms will be subjected to accidents, like the one the junior BS Math in Computer Science student Airely Medina encountered.
“May quiz lang kami no’n. Dahil wala kaming classroom, do’n kami sa corridor [nagklase], tapos biglang umulan. Malakas ‘yong hangin kaya lahat kami nabasa at nagtakbuhan. Then narinig ko nalang ‘yong sigawan nila, bigla akong napayuko at ‘yong whiteboard tumama sa ulo ko,” recalled Medina.
Located between the CS dean’s office and the faculty room, three classes of COE and two of CS were conducted in the temporary classroom. Hallway classes lasted until the conversion of Carpio Hall’s student park into two classrooms, the present CS Annex in which classes were started to be held last August 13.
“Nobody would like it to happen, it’s a freak accident, it’s unfortunate. Two things, we do not have classes on hallways or we did not admit students? Parang magulang, dumami ang anak, nagkulang sa opportunity pero binuhay, kahit kulang tayo sa rooms sine-secure pa rin natin ang high quality education,” stated Vice President for Research, Extension and Services Danilo Hilario.
Another measure that the university used to address the shortcoming in terms of classrooms is having classes scheduled not only on Saturdays but also on Sundays.
“Nakakasagabal ‘yong Sunday classes kasi ‘yong pagsisimba ko nawawala, marami naman kasi kaming bakanteng araw dapat doon nalang nilagay [‘yong subject] o kaya naman mas okay pa sa ‘min kung gabi na lang kami umuwi kaysa may Linggo pa,” exclaimed Mark Vincent Lizarondo, BSEE 2A.
Moreover, instead of having 50 students per section, most of the classrooms are now occupied by 60 to 70 students.
“Napakarami namin sa section. Sa subject nga namin na video editing, dalawang tao ang naghahati sa isang computer. Dahil sa may ka-share ka pa, ang hirap ng kumilos at s’yempre ‘di mo na matututukan ‘yong turo sa’yo ng teacher n’yo,” lamented Chriselle Joy Garcia from College of Arts and Letters.
But it seems like these problems with the classrooms are just a gist of a bigger problem.
More of BulSUans’ grumbles
Other than the inadequate rooms, BulSUans are also criticizing recurring problems with regards to other facilities.
Like in CSSP, due to the college lacking a science laboratory, Psychology studes dissect animal cadavers and specimens in their science subject along the corridors of the Araling Panlipunan at Pilosopiya (APP) building.
"Hindi conducive 'yong normal na room lang at hindi lab lalo na kapag dissection kasi nakakaperwisyo ng iba dahil sa formalin saka naiiwan ‘yong amoy, pa’no naman ‘yong mga susunod na gagamit ng room? Tapos kulang pa 'yong mga equipments tulad ng dissecting table. Hindi ka makapag-experiment nang maayos," said Jobel Angeles, a psychology student.
Also, BulSUans who hold their classes at the APP building complain about the lack of chairs in every rooms.
"Dapat kasi tugunan muna nila 'yong mga pangangailangan sa chairs kaysa sa mga bagong courses. Tulad dito [CSSP], lagi na lang kulang 'yong mga upuan sa bawat room tapos 'yong iba, puro kalawang na kaya delikado sa uniform, delikado sa mantsa," complained Mayette Carandang, BS Psych 3B.
Moreover, facilities that are supposed to provide comfort to every BulSUan are also deficient such as ventilation in every classrooms.
“Ang laki-laki ng room namin tapos dadalawa lang ‘yong electric fan tapos ‘yong iba sira pa, e ‘di ba ang alam ko mayro’n naman tayong enough funds,” said Jason Bulatao, Landscape Architecture 2A.
Students also complain about the condition of comfort rooms (CR) in the university. According to some BulSUans, the CRs lack flash and locks, and they also grumble about the cleanliness of the CRs.
“Walang trash can ‘yong ibang cubicle, saan mo itatapon kung kunwari may period ka? Maghahanap ka pa ng tapunan sa labas ng banyo. Mabaho sa CR ng BulSU, public toilet kung public toilet e. Disappointing, sana naman lagyan nila ng exhaust fan,” said Kimberly Resurreccion, Legal Management 2A.
On the other hand, the Admin sees to provide for these insuficiencies.
Projected solutions
Seeing that the number of students gets bigger and bigger, De Jesus made a step by instructing his administration to upgrade facilities and equipments to ensure quality education for every BulSUan.
“Sa mga facilities, sinasabi ko naman sa mga college deans na magsabi lang kayo. ‘Yong mga kailangan niyo, i-request niyo. Ang dilemma nga lang natin dito ay ‘yong bidding, matagal ang process kasi nga dahil tayo ay government institution, hindi pwede ‘yong ‘gusto mo nito, bibilhin na bukas,” explained De Jesus.
In addition, a building for the College of Business Administration (CBA) is currently under the process of bidding. The proposed building will be located beside the BulSU Heroes’ Park.
“‘Yong building na nakatayo doon ngayon will be demolished. On the 18th of the month [August], we will see who will win on the bidding and maybe after that, the constructing will start,” said VP Hilario.
The planned CBA building is a four-storey structure but according to Hilario, only the first storey will be provided first so that by January, which is the projected completion of the ground floor, it may already be available for use.
Moreover, De Jesus stated that he plans again to limit the student population to 35,000 next year.
“Next year hopefully, I can’t promise this, ‘yong enrollment ayoko ng napakalaki, nalulula ako sa dami. Natutuwa ako kasi marami napapag-aral natin kaya lang nagwo-worry ako baka later on mag-suffer ang quality [ng education], iyon ang inaalala ko,” said the prexy.
Despite this, some BulSUans remain unconvinced with these solutions.
“Hindi ko siya ramdam [actions by Admin to suffice insufficiency in facilities] kasi hanggang ngayon, may gabing klase pa rin. Do’n nakikita ‘yong kakulangan sa classroom kasi ‘di nadadagdagan ‘yong rooms at ‘di rin alam ng students ang projects nila [admin],” said Jenny Rose Tiburcio, BAMC 4A.