The Bulacan State University Student Government (BulSU SG) gathered in front of Federizo Hall for a united effort to defend students’ rights, which was followed by a fight march that circled around the campus on January 16, 2023, the first day of second semester classes.
In front of Federizo Hall, around one in the afternoon, BulSU SG and other students gathered to address the concerns of the students over the administration’s current policies and its disregard of the Magna Carta for students. As the university opens its doors for full-time face-to-face classes, systematic guidelines and the enrollment process offered by the administration appears to fall short of addressing the need of the students.
Additionally, the challenges that BulSU students recently faced and their proposed solutions are discussed at the meeting, including the lack of privileges for working students, and the demand for equity to meet the need of all students. Next, requesting the SPOC Modality’s abandonment because it has been ineffective for students’ learning episodes. Also, no grade consultation of some professors is one of the most encountered problems of every BulSUan and if the university will institutionalize it in the academic calendar, students will be able to report professors who don’t want to be transparent with their students’ grade computation. The organization’s discussion also covered other issues such as inadequate classroom space or facilities for classes, no athlete stipends, increased allowance pay for student assistants, and demand for releasing of student IDs.
Following the group discussion, the BulSU SG assembled in front of the Activity Center along with other political organizations; Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK) and Katipunan Student Movement (KASAMA) for their fight parade, which started at 2 pm and circled the entire campus. “Iskolar ng Bayan, Ngayon ay Lumalaban.” is the rallying yell of the students who participated in the said event. Before the parade ended, the students stopped in front of Flores Hall which is where the BulSU Administration is located to make the fight for studentsโ rights be heard.
The parade concluded in Heroes Park with the outcry, “The students united, will never be defeated”, which expressed the fervent hope that the protest for assistance would never go in vain. The student bodies deliver their closing remarks before they depart. – Bianca Santos