1353rd Meeting, 2 September 2020
B. ACADEMIC MATTERS (cont’d)
4. Update on the academic preparations for AY2020-2021(cont’d)
14 August 2020 and 1353rd BOR Meeting 2 September 2020
Decisions of the Board of Regents
UP Gazette Volume LI, No. 4
27
II. MATTERS APPROVED BY THE BOARD
(cont’d) . . .B. ACADEMIC MATTERS (cont’d) . . .
4. Update on the academic preparations for AY2020-2021(cont’d) . . .
i. The limited number of slots affecting some of the service courses like STS and GE courses;
ii. The difficulty in looking for and hiring lecturers at this time, given the mode of delivery of instruction, and the amount of time to prepare course packs;
iii. The manner of implementing the Student Evaluation of Teachers (SET) for the first semester of remote learning;
iv. Clarity of institutional processes and support for faculty on copyrights issues; and,
v. The joint call of a number of faculty members and students for the postponement of the opening of classes to October.
4.4 On the issue of slots, Vice President Bautista said they already gave clearance for hiring lecturers and instructors, aside from expanding the teaching assistantships and teaching fellowships, to address the lack of slots for GE courses, particularly for the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy and the College of Arts and Letters. On the problem of hiring lecturers, she said they are in discussions to find a solution to the same.
The SET is also already under discussion with the faculty. She added that many of the academic rules are being suspended because of the pandemic, including MRR. She agreed with Regent Guillermo for the need to set up a copyright office as part of institutional support on copyright issues.
4.5 President Concepcion, for his part, assured that faculty should not worry about copyright issues because the University has an exemption under the copyright law for the use of copyrighted work for academic purposes. He said that copyright infringement is not a criminal liability, unless used in fraudulent activities. To appease the worry of the faculty, President Concepcion said that the University will provide support and cover for the faculty, for any copyright infringement problems.
BOR Special Meeting 14 August 2020 and 1353rd BOR Meeting 2 September 2020
Decisions of the Board of Regents
UP Gazette Volume LI, No. 4
28
II. MATTERS APPROVED BY THE BOARD
(cont’d) . . .
B. ACADEMIC MATTERS (cont’d)
. . .
4. Update on the academic preparations for AY2020-2021(cont’d) . . .
4.6 Regent Aguiluz brought to the attention of Vice President Bautista the issue of the “white” colleges in UP Manila regarding the reduction of academic load from twelve (12) units to six (6) units, brought about by their inability to handle live patients due to the COVID-19 situation. The faculty members, including clinical instructors, are requesting for alternative and creative ways by which faculty members can earn an additional six (6) units, such as doing research or doing community service. However, the UP Manila Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs told them that these cannot be a basis for earning academic load. Vice President Bautista explained that the rules for UP Manila are different because of the “white” disciplines. She assured Regent Aguiluz that they will discuss this matter with the UP Manila Chancellor and the UP Manila Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, to find a solution thereto.
4.7 Regent Punzalan thanked Vice President Bautista for the updates as it gives the Regents a clearer vision of the preparations being undertaken by the University. However, he wanted to know particular details of some aspects affecting the students, as follows:
i. Update on the 5,600 students who indicated that they cannot afford the shift to remote learning this academic year, in particular, how many were already extended help in terms of internet connectivity and gadget requirements.
ii. Data on the number of course units that students are getting, because there were reports that some students do not have enough load yet.
iii. Data of students who dropped out, or those who filed a Leave of Absence (LOA) for the First Semester AY2020-2021
iv. Update on the status of the student assistance programs
BOR Special Meeting 14 August 2020 and 1353rd BOR Meeting 2 September 2020
Decisions of the Board of Regents
UP Gazette Volume LI, No. 4
29
II. MATTERS APPROVED BY THE BOARD
(cont’d) . . .
B. ACADEMIC MATTERS (cont’d)
. . .
4. Update on the academic preparations for AY2020-2021(cont’d) . . .
4.8 Regent Punzalan also raised the appeal of the students to move the opening of classes, which is scheduled on 10 September 2020, to a later date in October. He said that other SUCs like the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) have moved the opening of their classes to October to give more time for the preparations. The feeling of anxiety of the different sectors come from the fact that their level of preparedness is uncertain; it may be the lack of enough slots or the time constraint for the course packs. Regent Punzalan said that it would be a welcome relief for the students if the Board will grant the appeal of around 10,000 students to move the opening of classes to October. If this cannot be granted, they want a commitment on the part of the University to ensure that students will be afforded the needed assistance. President Concepcion took note of Regent Punzalan’s comments.
4.9 At this point, Regent Punzalan excused himself from the meeting, but promised to come back later.
4.10 Regent Go lauded Vice President Bautista for her comprehensive presentation. He believed that UP is prepared to proceed with the start of classes on 10 September 2020 despite some identified problems which are already being addressed anyway.
Board Action: NOTED
BOR Special Meeting 14 August 2020 and 1353rd BOR Meeting 2 September 2020
Decisions of the Board of Regents
UP Gazette Volume LI, No. 4
30
II. MATTERS APPROVED BY THE BOARD
(cont’d) . . .