Clarifying Why UP Students Should Vote YES in the Student Regent Referendum on January 26-31, 2009

Peddling ‘democracy’ and other myths:
A response in defense of the Office of the Student Regent
by ANAKBAYAN

No word perhaps is as misused, abused, and twisted to fit the interests of a selfish few than the term democratic. The past few days we have been assaulted by a flurry of statements from certain student councils and political formations calling for the democratization of the Student Regent selection by subjecting their personal proposed amendments to the impending referendum to approve the selection rules. These groups have gone to the extent of expressly endorsing the failure of the referendum by enjoining the students to register a negative vote. At a juncture when the potency of our student institutions and, in essence, the power of our collective action, is undermined, there is no other recourse than to expose and resist such semantic deception and divisive intervention.

The referendum is not the proper venue for amendments to be adopted. The Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection (CRSRS) in its current form provides ample mechanisms for student councils to propose amendments to the same. As the CRSRS is still in effect, student councils have yearly been given until the first day of October to forward their proposed revisions, which these councils failed to do. This, however, is not merely a matter of technicality. The wisdom behind such prescription lies in the need for the approval by student councils across the UP system through the General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC) of any and all proposed amendments to the rules.

To obstinately insist on subjecting such amendments to the referendum is an act of arrogance and is in itself antithetical to the concept of democracy that these same groups relentlessly invoke. These student councils are practically asking that the assembly be bypassed, and that the position of the other councils on their amendments be effectively muted. It is worthy to note that these same revisions are the ones that have been, time and again, rejected by an overwhelming majority of student councils across UP through the GASC. Again, to ignore this historic position of the majority on such proposals runs counter to the idea of democracy that the groups in question so glorify.

A few words on the proposed amendments, nevertheless, are imperative. Apart from the fact that former Student Regents have been selected without a minimum academic requirement, as now proposed by some student councils and organizations, but have exceptionally discharged their duties, the inclusion of such condition conflicts with our collective position that the Student Regent selection is and must purely be a student affair and poses unjustly discriminatory effects.

These councils yet again posit that the selection process can be democratized through "proportionately" allowing one vote for each council. While a 'one council-one vote' scheme would sound appealing especially in the usual yet elementary and restrictive appreciation of 'democracy', the bigger problem lies in the fact that the current allocation of votes (2 for autonomous units, 1 for regional units) is precisely so in a conscious effort to preclude monopoly of the position by the unit with the most number of colleges. Certainly, this is not the brand of 'democracy' we would like to partake in.

The deletion of the role of the Kalipunan ng mga Sangguniang Mag-aaral sa UP (KASAMA sa UP) in the CRSRS has further been the subject of their proposed amendments. The CRSRS is clear as to the function of KASAMA sa UP by virtue of its historical role in the re-establishment of the Office and thus mandates the alliance to provide the necessary historical perspective on the institution and the selection process. The GASC remains the highest decisive body as regards the selection process. To remove the alliance's significance as enshrined in the CRSRS is to betray the Office's very history and ignore the historic collective struggle of the alliance's member-councils to defend the Office from unceasing attempts to strip it of its liberative power of representation.

There is no misinformation to the claim that a failed referendum may result in the vacancy of the Office, and that such may pave the way for intervention by the administration. The fear that stems from an unsuccessful referendum is that such may leave the Office vacant until the CRSRS is approved, and consequently, the students will have no representation in the Board of Regents, UP's highest policy-making body. While pertinent laws state that the incumbent remains in position should no successor to a public office be appointed or selected, such opinion, however, fails to note that the current Student Regent is set to graduate and would thus no longer be qualified to hold office.

More importantly, a vote in the negative is a tacit invitation for administration intervention. UP President Emerlinda Roman has confirmed the possibility that the administration may recommend any student for the position only if the students would approve of such. Knowing the administration's conception of 'student approval', as shown in the manner by which the 300% tuition hike, for example, was treacherously approved and justified, a failed referendum presents us only with unfortunate scenarios.

Ultimately, a vote in favor of the selection rules is a vote for the Office of the Student Regent and for genuinely democratic student representation. The fact remains that the mandatory conduct of a referendum undermines the capacity of the GASC to administer its own affairs and refuses to recognize the autonomy of the assembly itself in formulating its own rules on the conduct of the selection process that have always been upheld by the majority through its own democratic devices. It must be remembered that the provision in the new UP Charter mandating the conduct of the referendum was insidiously inserted, without any democratic consultation as its basis, by a former UP Diliman Student Council chairperson affiliated with a particular group which now asks us to 'check the OSR’.

It is in this repressive nature of the referendum that we are now calling on the students to unite in voting 'yes' to precisely prove to the administration and to these reactionary student groups that no deception and intervention shall deter us. The pursuit of true democracy, after all, can never be claimed by a selfish few who advance their vested interests and hunger for power in the guise of spurious claims of promoting ‘democratization’ and ‘student participation.’ Most importantly, democracy lies in a conscious and concerted effort to defend our democratic institutions especially when false and opportunist student leaders not only miserably fail to do so, but even connive towards such repression.

Vote YES! January 26-31, 2009 Student Regent Referendum. Bring your student I.D. or Form 5 and vote in your respective college precincts, all over the UP System.

Vote YES to Defend the Office of the Student Regent on January 26-31, 2009 (U.P.-Systemwide Referendum)

Dear colleagues and students,

Hon. Shahana Abdulwahid, the current Student Regent of the University of the Philippines System, informed us of a systemwide referendum on January 26-31, 2009 to have the students vote on the rules in the selection of the student regent. We urge faculty members to inform and remind your students to vote in the systemwide referendum on January 26-31, 2009. We urge undergraduate and graduate students (including faculty members who are currently enrolled in UP) to participate in this referendum for genuine student representation in the Board of Regents, the highest policy making body of the University. Please find herewith (1) an Open Letter from Student Regent Shahana Abdulwahid, (2) Guidelines in the Conduct of the Referendum, and (3) a link to an article by Prof. JPaul Manzanilla, former Student Regent, on the historic role of the Office of the Student Regent.

Please pass.

Kind regards,
Mykel Andrada

Go out and vote. Participate in the systemwide referendum for the Office of the Student Regent on January 26-31, 2009.

Defend Student Rights. Defend Student Representation.

Vote YES and Defend the Office of the Student Regent.

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In Defense of Student Representation

An Open Letter from the Office of the Student Regent

Warm greetings!

As the university heads to the final days of its year-long centennial celebration, I have observed that one historical landmark of the students' democratic struggle inside the academe remains largely ignored- the creation of the Office of the Student Regent (OSR).

Now that the university looks back on its 100 years of existence, the significance of the OSR must not be ignored or forgotten. For the office is a concrete product of the UP Students' sustained efforts for the representation in the Board of Regents (BOR), the highest policy-making body in the University. The BOR was once dominated by personalities appointed by Marcos. And although the students formed the largest sector in the university, there was no student representative in the body.

The students, however, fearlessly pushed for their democratic rights. Even during Martial Law, they held massive student demonstrations inside and outside the academe, determined in the face of repression from both Malacanang and the UP Administration. As the students' campaign reached its peak, the administration relented. Pres. Corazon Aquino approved Executive Order No. 204, which led to the inauguration of the OSR. Since then, the office has become a symbol of victory for the UP studentry in asserting their democratic demands to the BOR.

Historically, the office has spearheaded the fight for greater state subsidy by initiating lobbying efforts in Congress and student actions. It has also stood up against discrimination on the basis of class, gender, race and religion. For this is the mandate of the OSR- to safeguard the interests of the students at all times.

Despite several attempts to render the OSR impotent in its duty to serve the students and the people, it has struggled to remain loyal to its function by pushing for measures to ensure the quality and accessibility of UP education and to realign the thrust of the university along the democratic interests of the people. At the locus of the campaign for student rights and welfare across UP units is the sole student representative to the BOR.

Ironically, the OSR is hounded by uncertainties, even as the whole university looks confidently to another 100 years. Traditionally, the General Assembly of Student Councils approves the Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection. The new UP Charter, however, obliges a referendum of students in order to approve the selection process for the Student Regent. The mandatory referendum is a move by the state and administration to invalidate the student-crafted selection process which exhibits student autonomy and self-governance.

A referendum is a logistical difficulty. The process requires more than half of the entire population of UP students nationwide to cast their votes in favor of the OSR. There are two possible scenarios, should the students fail to clinch the majority vote: the office may be left vacant, leaving the students without representation in the BOR, or the office may still be occupied, but by a Malacanang-appointe d student regent. Either way, the institutional autonomy of the OSR is undermined. This presents dangerous implications for the office, whose commitment to democratic rights is ensured, in part, by its independence from Malacanang and administration intervention.

Sadly, these bleak scenarios come at a time when student representation in the BOR is much needed. Today, the rightful role of students in the development of the university and country is being challenged at all fronts, from the reduction of state subsidy to the militarization of campuses. It is worth noting that year after year, the state has slashed added income. Meanwhile, legitimate student institutions and formations at the forefront of campaigns against commercialization are met with suppression.

At this landmark moment in history, there is no other way to succeed over threats against our rights to representation than to collectively rise up to the challenge of a referendum. At a time of crisis, we are tasked to protect, defend, and uphold our sole voice in the BOR, in the same way that we are tasked to advance our democratic struggle against commercialization of education and campus repression, not just for ourselves but for the future generations. Now that the office is in peril, let us continue the spirit of vigilance and persistence that led to the founding of the OSR.

With the firm resolve demonstrated by those who fought for the OSR, I call on the broadest number of UP students across the entire university system to support the campaign to defend the OSR and prove, once and for all, that measures meant to impede our democratic rights shall fail against the collective militancy of the students. By defending our basic rights to be represented, we concretely reaffirm our democratic struggle for greater state subsidy, for tambayans, and for our right to organize.

Once more, history demands that students register the potency of collective action in the fight for freedom and democracy inside and outside the university. We will respond to this challenge, valiant and united.

SHAHANA ABDULWAHID

University of the Philippines Student Regent

FIGHT FOR STUDENT RIGHTS AND REPRESENTATION!

BE PART OF OUR CAMPAIGN TO DEFEND THE OSR!

Join the OSR Volunteer Corps

Contact 0916-26351-43 (UP Diliman)

Guidelines in the Conduct of a Referendum for the Approval of the Procedure and Qualifications for the Selection of a Student Regent Pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the University of the Philippines Charter

On 29 April 2008, RA 9500 entitled "An Act to Strengthen University of the Philippines as the National University" (UP Charter, for brevity) was enacted, providing, among others, for the conduct of a referendum among the UP students for the approval of the procedure and qualifications for the selection of a student regent.

Sec. 12 (g) of the new University Charter provides:

Section 12. The Board of Regents. -

(1) Composition - the governance of the national university is vested in a board of regents known as the "Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines System," hereinafter referred to as the "Board," composed of:

Xxx

(g) One Student Regent, to serve for a term of one (1) year, chosen by the students from their ranks in accordance with the rules and qualifications approved in a referendum by the students.

Thus, the necessity to conduct a referendum among UP students pursuant to the University Charter, in accordance with the following guidelines:

I. DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF REFERENDUM

A. The referendum shall be conducted on January 26- 31, 2009 under the control and supervision of the Office of the Student Regent in coordination with official OSR designated referendum officers in UP units, University and College Student Councils, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and / or Director of Office of Student Affairs and Office of the College Secretary.

B. Voting shall start at 8 in the morning and shall end at 9 in the evening at the following campuses / precincts:

1. UP Baguio

2. UP Diliman

3. UP Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga

4. UP Manila

5. UP Los Banos

6. UP Open University

7. UP Visayas in Miag-ao

8. UP Visayas in Iloilo City

9. UP Visayas Cebu College

10. UP Visayas Tacloban College

11. UP Manila School of Health Sciences in Palo, Leyte

12. UP Mindanao

13. UP Manila SHS in Baler, Aurora

C. Counting / Tabulation in each designated precinct shall proceed immediately after the balloting has been declared closed.

II. REFERENDUM PARAPHERNALIA

A. The Office of Student Regent, in coordination with the Vice Chancellors for Student Affairs or the Director or head of Student Affairs and College Secretary of each UP constituent / regional unit shall prepare the pre-numbered official ballots and official sheets to be used in the referendum. It shall also prepare the additional ballots equivalent to one percent (1%) of the total number of qualified voters in each precinct as replacement for marked / torn / defaced / perforated ballots.

B. The official ballot shall be signed or initialed at the back by the Vice Chancellor or head of Student Affairs or his designated representative of each constituent unit and two (2) representatives of the students to be determined by the Office of Student Regent. A pre-referendum conference shall be called for this purpose by the Office of Student Regent and Vice Chancellors for Student Affairs of each UP unit.

C. The University, through the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs or Director or head of Student Affairs and College Secretary, shall set up sufficient numbers of polling booths in each precinct and shall provide ballpens and white/ blackboards/computers.

D. The University, through the Vice Chancellors for Student Affairs or Director or head of Student Affairs and College Secretary, shall provide improvised ballot boxes to be used in the conduct of the referendum.

E. The Office of the College Secretary and/or Office of the University Secretary shall provide official master list of students enrolled in second semester 2008-2009.

III. ELIGIBLE / QUALIFIED VOTERS

A. All bona fide graduate and undergraduate students of the University of the Philippines duly enrolled and pursuing any of the academic degree/certificate/program offered by the University as of second semester 2008-2009 shall be eligible and qualified to vote in the referendum.

B. All UP students enrolled as of second semester 2008-2009 but cannot be physically present due to official business shall be allowed absentee votes.

IV. ELECTION PROCEDURE

A. The notice of referendum together with the list of qualified students allowed to vote, sample ballot, rules and guidelines shall be posted into conspicuous places within the premises of identified polling precincts of the University upon the resumption of classes before the conduct of referendum for the voters' information and guidance.

B. Before the start of referendum or casting of votes, the referendum officer assigned by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, in the presence of official watchers, shall inspect the polling place and polling booths. The ballot box shall be opened for inspection by the office before it will be sealed off. The key shall be in the custody of the referendum officer.

C. The list of voters submitted by the University and agreed upon by the representatives of the students in a pre-referendum conference shall be used as the basis of those who will be qualified and be allowed to vote in the referendum.

D. To facilitate identification of voters, each voter shall be required to present his or her UP ID with picture and shall affix his/ her signature opposite his/ her name in the master list before the referendum officer gives him or her official ballot. In the absence of an official ID, the voter may still be allowed to vote provided that he presents his /her Form 5 and any valid ID.

E. A qualified voter who has cross-enrolled in another UP unit shall be allowed to vote in the nearest polling place, provided he / she presents his Form 5 and valid UP ID. His / Her vote shall be segregated and considered challenged, subject to verification from the master list, and If found qualified and has not voted in his or her home college his / her vote will be opened and counted.

F. Qualified voters whose names were inadvertently omitted in the master list shall be allowed to vote provided that they show proof that they are UP students currently enrolled for second semester and are eligible / qualified voters as per Roman Numerical III of these rules and guidelines. Said vote shall be automatically considered votes and subject to verification unless otherwise agreed by concerned parties.

G. All segregated and challenged votes (letters E and F above) shall be placed in an individual white letter envelope and sealed in the presence of the voter and the watchers. The name of the voter, home college, ballot number and the ground / reason for the challenge / segregation shall be indicted in the letter envelope duly signed by the referendum officer and watchers. All challenged / segregated votes shall be opened and counted only if they will materially alter the result of the referendum.

H. The voters shall personally mark a cross (x) or a check (/) inside the square opposite his / her choice in answer to the question.

Do you approve of the existing Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection (CRSRS) as rules and qualifications to govern the selection of our student representative to the UP Board of Regents?

YES ____ NO ____

I. If a ballot is torn, marked or defaced, in such a manner as to create doubt or confusion on the identity of the voter, or the voter inadvertently spoils a ballot, he or she shall return the ballot to the referendum officer who shall destroy the same and replace it with another ballot. A voter is entitled for a replacement of ballot ONLY ONCE.

J. If there are still a number of voters who are already within 50 meters radius from the polling area before the closing of the referendum, the referendum officer shall allow them to cast their votes after the voting time shall have been terminated.

V. REFERENDUM WATCHERS

A. The Office of the Student Regent shall determine who shall act as the referendum watchers in each precinct. Each precinct shall have at least two (2) referendum watchers: one (1) regular and one (1) alternate.

B. The Office of the Student Regent shall copy furnish the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs the list of the respective official referendum watchers by precincts on or before January 19, 2009.

C. All referendum watchers are required to be at their respective polling precincts before 7:30 am. Otherwise, the referendum officer shall proceed with the referendum even in the absence of the watchers.

D. Only official watchers assigned in the precinct are allowed to raise relevant questions with regard to the conduct of the referendum. Watchers shall see to it that they have signed the minutes of the referendum proper and result after the tabulation / counting.

VI. CASTING OF VOTES

A. If the referendum officer is satisfied with the identity and qualification of the voter, said voter shall be given a ballot. The voter shall then be required to sign opposite his / her name in the official / master list prepared for this purpose.

B. Upon receipt of his / her folded ballot, the voter shall forthwith proceed to a vacant booth to mark the necessary box of his / her choice.

C. After filling up his / her ballot, the voter shall fold it in the same manner he or she received it and drop it in the ballot box.

VII. CANVASSING OF VOTES

A. Immediately after the close of the referendum, the votes cast shall be counted and tabulated by the referendum officer in their respective precinct in the presence of the watchers and student representatives.

B. Upon completion of the canvass, the referendum officer shall furnish each student representative a copy of the minutes of the referendum.

C. Referendum materials such as cast ballots, tally sheets, segregated / challenged votes and minutes of the referendum shall be sealed in an envelope duly signed by the students' representatives and be forwarded to the Office of Student Regent for consolidation. One copy of the minutes of the referendum reflecting the results of the referendum shall be pasted / taped outside the envelope, which shall be used in the consolidation of canvassed votes.

D. The Student Regent shall cal for a meeting for the opening of all canvassed and challenged / segregated votes for consolidation.

VIII. APPRECIATION OF VOTES

A. The referendum officer shall see to it that the voter marked a cross (x) or check (/) inside the square opposite his or her choice.

B. All ballots shall be presumed valid unless the same is considered spoiled or invalid. Accordingly, the following votes shall be considered spoiled or invalid;

1. No cross or check inside the square;

2. A cross a check, or other marking is placed outside the square;

3. Double or more markings inside and or outside the square (e.g. two (2) checks, two (2) crosses or a combination of cross (x) and a check (/), etc.);

4. The word "yes", and "no", "check", or "cross" inside the square;

5. Erasures or use of snopake; and

6. Any other markings inside the square.

IX. PROTEST AND PROCLAMATION

A. All protests / objections relating to the conduct of the referendum should be formally written and submitted to the Office of the Student Regent within five (5) working days from the close of the referendum proceedings. All protests / objections shall be included in the minutes of the referendum No protest shall be entertained after the lapse of the five-day period. Neither shall a protest be entertained on the grounds not raised and recorded during the balloting / counting.

B. The results of the referendum shall be proclaimed by the Office of Student Regent five (5) working days after the final canvassing of votes, provided, however, that no formal protest which would affect the result of the referendum has been filed within the allowable period.

X. OTHER MATTERS

A. The University, through the Office of Student Regent, shall provide IDs for the referendum watchers.

B. The designated referendum officer shall immediately resolve any on-the-spot queries, complaints or any issues that may be raised by any interested party during the conduct of the referendum.

C. Other matters unless stipulated in the adopted referendum guidelines shall be conferred to the authority of the referendum committees of each UP unit.

Related Article:

Represent and Struggle

The Office of the Student Regent and KASAMA sa UP

by JPaul Manzanilla

***Please circulate among your yahoogroups and repost on the internet. You may also use the attached web campaign goodies for your social networking accounts and blogs. You and your organization can also come up with your own support campign goodies and can also ask for educational discussions regarding student and university issues from the OSR on the resumption of classes

Maligayang Pasko! Saka Kilala N'yo ba si Ma'am SARAH RAYMUNDO?

Hi everyone! Kamusta na kayo?

Nais kong magpaumanhin sa generic na sulat na ito. Sumusulat ako sa inyo bilang colleague, guro o dating guro ninyo, kaibigan, kakilala, o bilang isang concerned na miyembro ng U.P. Nais kong ipabatid sa inyo ang dalawang bagay:

Una, Maligayang Pasko! Yung pinaka-sincere. Saka Manigong Bagong Taon! Yung pinaka-sincere rin :)

Ikalawa, kilala n'yo ba si Ma'am Sarah Raymundo ng Sociology Dept, UP Diliman? Nagtataka kasi ako, pati yung iba kong co-teachers, at iba pang students at members ng UP community, kung bakit hindi siya binigyan ng tenure or permanent status ng kaniyang department.

Sa mga di nakakikilala kay Ma'am Sarah, halos sampung taon na siyang nagtuturo sa U.P. Natatandaan ko nga nung first year ako sa U.P. noong 1999, naririnig ko na ang pangalan niya bilang isa sa pinakabata pero isa sa matalino, masipag, masigasig at matinong titser sa U.P. Nababasa ko rin yung mga articles na kinocontribute niya sa Kule. Needless to say, very bright talaga siya. Dati pa man hinahangaan ko na siya.

Nung magsimula akong magturo sa U.P. Diliman four years ago, isa si Sarah sa laging nag-uupdate sa akin about theories, research endeavors, mga pressing local and national concerns, at iba pa (pati kung anong usong damit at kung anong magandang pelikulang panoorin, o music na pakinggan). Dami kong natutunan sa kaniya! Pati kung paano ang tamang attitude sa pagtuturo, paano maghahandle ng students, mga teaching techniques, at ang value ng teaching, however cliche ang tunog.

Ngayon, lagi akong naglu-look forward kung may bagong article si Sarah sa kaniyang blog o kaya sa mga publications. Yun ngang article niya about isang beauty contest na segment sa dating show ni Willie Revillame, yung may mga contestant na kailangang highlighted ang pagiging "hyphenated" ng pagka-Pinoy (halimbawa, Filipino-American, Filipino-Swedish, atbp), talagang na-amaze ako kung paano niya napipinpoint ang mga hegemonic discourse etc. Nakakatulong ng malaki ang mga nababasa kong articles niya sa pagtalakay ko sa klase ng PP 17 (Pop Culture), PI 100, PP 19 (Sexualidad), Fil 128 (Wika at Diskurso), at iba pang subjects na itinuturo ko. Sabi nga ng isang colleague namin ni Sarah, "blog entries pa nga lang niya ay articles na."

She really has it. Theory and praxis!

Kaya nakaka-surprise talaga kung bakit di siya binigyan ng tenure ng kaniyang sariling department, when she deserves it talaga. Dahil ba sa pagiging open minded at pagiging aktibista ni Sarah kaya siya hindi binigyan ng tenure? E kasi na-meet na niya ang lahat ng requirements para ma-tenure pero di siya binigyan. Hay.

Sana suportahan natin ang call or panawagan ng mga members ng UP Community para bigyan ng tenure si Sarah. Nasa ibaba yung nakuha ko mula sa weblog niya. Sign tayo ng online petition at basahin nating maigi at ipakalat sa iba pang tao, kahit non-UP puwede ring mag-sign.

Please find time, laluna ngayong Pasko at Bagong Taon, para suportahan si Sarah Raymundo.

Maraming salamat!

Mykel Andrada

* * * *

From Prof. Sarah Raymundo's campaign blog -- http://tenureforsarahraymundo.blogspot.com

SARAH RAYMUNDO is an Assistant Professor from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman's Department of Sociology, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy. She's been teaching in UP for almost ten years. She has met, and even exceeded, the minimum requirements for tenure. Why then, after almost a year since she applied for tenure, is Prof. Raymundo being denied permanent status in the university?

Given her outstanding academic and extension work, we are led to believe that her department's decision is a reaction to her engagements as the General Secretary of the Congress of Teachers / Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND-UP), as an active member of the All UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU) and National Treasurer of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), and as a researcher for the militant human rights organization KARAPATAN.

We are also called to challenge the lack of transparency in the tenure process.

Please sign the online petition calling for the granting of tenure to Prof. Sarah Raymundo according to your sector:

UP FACULTY -- http://petitiononline.com/sarahray

UP STUDENTS and ALUMNI -- http://petitiononline.com/mamsarah

UP REPS & ADMIN STAFF, & Individuals, including International Community -- http://petitiononline.com/tenuresr

FACULTY from Other Universities, Schools, Colleges (Non-UP) -- http://petitiononline.com/sarahint

Please pass and cross post. Maraming salamat! :)

We also encourage everyone to write their letters of support for Prof. Sarah Raymundo's tenure. Please send and/or email your letters to the following:

Dr. Clemen Aquino
Chair, Department of Sociology,
College of Social Sciences and Philosophy
University of the Philippines
Diliman, 1101 Quezon City
Email: sociology@up.edu.ph

Dean Zosimo Lee
College of Social Sciences and Philosophy,
Email: dekano@kssp.upd.edu.ph

Chancellor Sergio Cao
University of the Philippines
Diliman, 1101 Quezon City
Email: oc.upd@up.edu.ph

Please copy furnish (cc) all letters to: tenureforsarahraymundo@gmail.com

Tenure for U.P. Sociology Professor Sarah Raymundo!

SARAH RAYMUNDO is an Assistant Professor from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman's Department of Sociology, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy. She's been teaching in UP for almost ten years. She has met, and even exceeded, the minimum requirements for tenure. Why then, after almost a year since she applied for tenure, is Prof. Raymundo being denied permanent status in the university?

Given her outstanding academic and extension work, we are led to believe that her department's decision is a reaction to her engagements as the General Secretary of the Congress of Teachers / Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND-UP), as an active member of the All UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU) and National Treasurer of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), and as a researcher for the militant human rights organization KARAPATAN.

We are also called to challenge the lack of transparency in the tenure process.

For further details, please check out Prof. Sarah Raymundo's campaign website: http://tenureforsarahraymundo.blogspot.com

Please sign the online petition calling for the granting of tenure to Prof. Sarah Raymundo according to your sector:

UP FACULTY -- http://petitiononline.com/sarahray

UP STUDENTS and ALUMNI -- http://petitiononline.com/mamsarah

UP REPS & ADMIN STAFF, & Individuals, including International Community -- http://petitiononline.com/tenuresr

FACULTY from Other Universities, Schools, Colleges (Non-UP) -- http://petitiononline.com/sarahint

Please pass and cross post. Maraming salamat! :)

We also encourage everyone to write their letters of support for Prof. Sarah Raymundo's tenure. Please send and/or email your letters to the following:

Dr. Clemen Aquino
Chair, Department of Sociology,
College of Social Sciences and Philosophy
University of the Philippines
Diliman, 1101 Quezon City
Email: sociology@up.edu.ph

Dean Zosimo Lee
College of Social Sciences and Philosophy,
Email: dekano@kssp.upd.edu.ph

Chancellor Sergio Cao
University of the Philippines
Diliman, 1101 Quezon City
Email: oc.upd@up.edu.ph

Please copy furnish (cc) all letters to: tenureforsarahraymundo@gmail.com

Vote for Prof. Judy M. Taguiwalo, PhD for 2009-2010 UP Faculty Regent

Read and/or download the vision paper with bio data of Prof. Taguiwalo. Kindly click this link:

VISION PAPER OF JUDY TAGUIWALO

TOWARDS A MEANINGFUL FACULTY REPRESENTATION IN THE BOR:

ADVANCING FACULTY RIGHTS AND WELFARE AND MAKING THE OFFICE ACCOUNTABLE TO UP FACULTY

My views on the role of the 2009-2010 UP Faculty Regent

JUDY M. TAGUIWALO, Ph.D.

My views on the role of the 2009-2010 UP Faculty Regent (FR) position stem from my almost two decades of active involvement in teaching, research, extension and administrative work in the University of the Philippines, a university committed to excellence and service.

My record of service to the university and to the faculty speaks for itself. I have been an active and leading member of the University Council Committee on National Programs and Policies (2000-2002), the University Council Committee on University Governance (2008-2010), and the University Council Committee on Faculty Development, Conduct and Welfare (2004-present), among others.

I come from the College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) which espouses democratic governance whose bases are spelled out in the 2008 UP Charter: “collegiality, representation, accountability, transparency and active
participation of its constituents.” I will ensure that the Office of the Faculty Regent is accountable to its constituency through regular consultations with the faculty as well as feedback to them the issues, concerns and decisions taken up in the BOR.

The FR is selected by the direct voting of all UP Faculty, the only system-wide-faculty position filled up in this manner. The selection of the FR, therefore, represents a great opportunity for the faculty, regardless of tenure, to choose a
representative accountable to them. The FR’s accountability to the faculty is particularly important because the Board of Regents (BOR), aside from being the highest policy-making body in the University, is also the “court of last appeal”, within the university for the faculty, regarding decisions on personnel matters made at the constituent and system levels. The FR’s primary accountability to the faculty enables her/him to independently examine faculty appeals on decisions made by the UP Administration and brought to the BOR for final resolution.

While I am aware of my main mandate to represent the rights and welfare of our faculty, I am also aware that to serve as a member of the BOR demands the broadest possible vision of UP as a national and public university in the service of our people. The welfare of our faculty is of course integral to this broader vision. I believe this goal can best be achieved by working in a democratic and collegial manner to uphold our traditions of excellence and service to the nation. Indeed, my particular academic and advocacy focus on women’s rights and the rights of workers speaks of my commitment to nondiscrimination and equity as basic principles.

In particular, I hope to accomplish the following:

1. To contribute to ongoing efforts at assessing and revising current university policies and practices on recruitment, renewal, tenure and promotion of faculty so as to ensure that the scholarly requirements are balanced with enabling conditions for faculty development and that provisions for transparency in the processes involved are in place.

2. To initiate the review of existing rules on the process of FR selection based on past experiences and to make proposals to the university councils for the necessary amendments.

3. To continue to advocate for the democratization in the governance of the university by working for the setting up of a mechanism to operationalize Section 3, (h) of the UP Charter: “...promote the holding of fora for students, faculty, research, extension and professional staff (REPS), staff and alumni to discuss non-academic issues affecting the University.”

4. To support policy proposals and initiatives that will enhance the promotion of women and gender studies and the adoption of more-gender responsive policies in the university.

5. To work closely with university organizations advocating for the payment of back Cola of qualified UP personnel.

6. To work closely with the Staff Regent to advocate for higher compensation and additional benefits of faculty, REPS and non-academic personnel and to promote the democratic participation of UP personnel in the formulation of policies that concern our terms and conditions of work and in the governance of the university.

7. To advocate for a University that is more responsive to national issues, supports science and technology for national industrialization and development ; and that advances Filipino cultural identity especially under conditions of domestic and global crises.

BIO DATA

JUDY M. TAGUIWALO
Associate Professor
Department of Women and Development Studies,
College of Social Work and Community Development, UP Diliman

No. of years in service as faculty in UP: 17 years (including three years as lecturer)

DEGREES
Ph.D. Philippine Studies, CSSP, UP Diliman
M.A. in Public Administration, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
B.S. in Social Work (cum laude) UP Diliman

IMPORTANT POSITIONS OCCUPIED IN AND OUTSIDE UP

UP DILIMAN, UNIVERSITY COUNCIL COMMITTEES

Chair, UP Diliman University Council Committee on Faculty Development, Conduct and Welfare (January 2004 to present)
• The committee successfully worked for amending the BOR- approved policy for UP Diliman on up or out for Instructors and in or out for temporary Assistant and Associate Professors which removed the original lifetime ban on rehiring of those who were not able to complete the requirements for promotion to Assistant Professor (for Instructors) or for tenure (for Assistant
Professors and Associate Professors).

• The committee is at present undertaking the compilation of specific guidelines for tenure of the various units to look into the criterion of collegiality. It is also studying the options for additional health insurance for faculty.

Member, UP Diliman University Council Committee on University Governance (January 2008 to January 2010)
• Helped formulate initial proposals on clarification of the relations between the University Council and the Board of Regents contained in the committee report to the UC last July 2008.

Member, UC Committee on National Programs and Policies (January 2001 to January 2004)

COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORK AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Coordinator, Women and Development Program (1999-2000)

Chair, Department of Women and Development Studies (2000-2002)
• Helped brought to a successful conclusion our six -year efforts to transform the program into a department.

Director, Research and Extension for Development Office (REDO) (June 2004-May 2006)
• Transformed the CSWCD Development Journal into a refereed one.

Founding National President and Current National Vice President for Faculty, All UP Academic Employees Union
• The union of the rank-and-file faculty and REPS of UP has actively worked for the welfare of the academic staff. Among the gains were the P20,000 centennial bonus, the release of the much-delayed 10% salary increase for UP employees and the grant of the P1,500 rice subsidy; among others.

Chair, Negotiating Panel, All-UP Academic Employees Union
• Heads the ongoing negotiations with the UP Administration for a collective negotiation agreement for rank-and-file faculty and REPS.

Convenor, UP-Wide Democratization Movement 2 (UP Widem 2)
• Actively lobbied Congress and the Senate for the democratization of UP governance and for safeguards against commercialization and corporatization of UP.

Convenor, Tigil-Paslang-UP (July 2006 to present)
• The response of concerned constituents of UP to the spate of killings, abductions, torture, illegal arests under Arroyo’s Oplan Bantay Laya.

OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSITY
Chair, Women’s Committee of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers and as such sits in the South-east Asian Women’s Committee of Education International, Asia-Pacific

Member, Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD), a regional women’s NGO with consultative status with the UN ECOSOC

Member, International Association for Community Development

Member, Women’s Studies Association in the Philippines

Vice Chair, Board of Trustees, Ibon Foundation

Former Executive Director, Center for Women’s Resources (CWR)

Former Chair, Board of Directors, Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research (EILER)

Member, First Quarter Storm Movement

Member, Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Amnestiya (SELDA) - an organization of political prisoners during the martial law period

SELECTED WORKS
“Ang Kababaihang Maykaya, Ang Pakikibaka para sa Karapatang Bumoto at Ang Pagtaguyod sa Kababaihang Manggagawa” in UP-CSWCD Development Journal. 2007.

“Globalization and Women: A Discussion Guide for Trainors,” a publication of the Task Force Rural and Indigenous Women of the Asia-Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) for use of its member organizations in the region. 2006

Co-writer, “Women and Food Sovereignty Kit,” a publication of the Task Force Women and Environment of the Asia-Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) for use of its member organizations in the region. 2006.

Editor, Intensifying Working Women’s Burdens: The Impact of Globalization on Women Labor in Asia, Asia Pacific Research Network, December 2005.

Book Review “Turning Failures into Successes”, A Review of Eve Weinbaum’s To Move a Mountain: Fighting the Global Economy in Appalachia. “Radical Teacher,” 2005.

“Rural Community and Women” in 2005 Gwang-Ju Asian Women’s Conference for Peace, October 25-27, 2005, Gwang-Ju Korea, Sponsored by Gwang-ju Council of Women, Gwang-Ju Women;s Associations United, Korea Foundation for Women Gwang-Ju Network, Gwang-Ju YWCA, Institute for Gender Studies, Chonnan National University.

“Markado at Militante: Ang Papel ng Kababaihang Anak-Pawis sa Dalawang Pakikibaka sa Panahon ng mga Amerikano”, CSWCD Development Journal, 2004.

“Understanding Globalisation and its Impact on Indigenous Women,” in Proceedings of the Workshop on Indigenous Women, Chiangrai, Thailand, October 25, 2002 published in Proceedings of the Workshop, February 2004.

“Women in Especially Difficult Circumstances” for the Philippine Encyclopedia of Social Work, 2000, Megabooks Co. and National Association of Social Work Education, p. 323- 335.

“Ang Hanggahan at Pagkakahon sa Mahihirap na Kababaihan ng Primaryang Edukasyon sa Panahon ng Kolonyal ng Paghahari ng U.S. sa Pilipinas. Philippine Social Science Review, Special Issue, 1999.

“Militant and Nationalist Organizers: The Women in the 1906 Issues of Muling Pagsilang” in Review of Women’s Studies (Women Take Back History), Volume 8, No. 2., July-December 1998. U.P. Center for Women’s Studies.

“Women and the Economy or the Limits of Gender Mainstreaming or Gender Sensitization” in the Proceedings of the U.P. Faculty Conference, May 25, 1998.

“Filipino Women and Globalization: Three Responses” ,UP CSWCD Journal, October-December 1998 issue.

“Dalawang Mukha ng Pakikibaka ng Kababaihang Pilipino sa Panahon ng Kolonyal na Paghahari ng Amerikano,” Diliman Review, Vol. 45, Nos. 2-3, 1997.

OTHER IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS

Keynote Speaker: “Women in Southeast Asia: Status, Gains and Challenges.”

Keynote Presentation to the Asian Women’s Conference entitled “Womanhood: Needs, Rights, Development and Cultural Diversity in Asia,” Ateneo de Davao University-Conference Room and Grand Menseng Hotel, Jacinto St., Davao City, Phillippines, March 28-30, 2008.

Plenary Speaker: Community Development in the Philippines: Diversity and Challenges,” International Association of Community Development (IACD) Conference, City University of Hongkong, June 25-27, 2007.

Plenary Speaker: “The Women of the First Quarter Storm of 1970: Women Fully Engaged in the Making of History”. Paper Presented to the International Conference for Filipino Youth, Celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the First Quarter Storm, Vancouver, Canada, November
25-27, 2005.

Plenary Speaker: “Women’s Liberation and Militarism”. Paper Presented to the Rural Women’s Liberation Workshop sponsored by the Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific, Penang, Malaysia October 13-15, 2005.

CSWCD Sertipiko ng Pagkilala Bilang Natatanging Guro na Nagkamit ng Pinakamataas na Antas sa Student Evaluation for Teachers (SET) sa Departamento ng Aralin sa Kababaihan at Kaunlaran mula unang semester, 2004-2005 hanggang ikalawang semester, 2006-2007. February 2008

CSWCD Sertipiko ng Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Gawaing Ekstensyon, February 2008.

Nominate Prof. Judy M. Taguiwalo, PhD, for 2009 U.P. Faculty Regent

Please nominate DR. JUDY M. TAGUIWALO for 2009 U.P. Faculty Regent. First Round of Nomination is from October 21 to 24, 2008. Email friendsofjudytaguiwalo@gmail.com for inquiries.

Attached here as PDF documents are her credentials and nomination form. Far below you will find the 2009 U.P. Faculty Regent Selection Schedule.

NOMINATION FORM 4 JUDY M. TAGUIWALO
CREDENTIALS JUDY M. TAGUIWALO

Who can nominate (and eventually vote) for Dr. Judy M. Taguiwalo as 2009 U.P. Faculty Regent? -- from INSTRUCTORS up

Her impressive and respectable credentials as an academic and a public leader make

Dr. JUDY M. TAGUIWALO

the best person to be nominated (and selected) as 2009 U.P. Faculty Regent:

Professor, Department of Women and Development Studies, College of Social
Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines, Diliman

Degrees:
Ph.D. Philippine Studies, CSSP, U.P. Diliman
M.A. in Public Administration, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
B.S. in Social Work (cum laude), University of the Philippines, Diliman

No. of years in service as faculty in U.P.:
17 years (including three years as lecturer)

Important Positions Occupied in U.P.:
• Chair, U.P. Diliman University Council Committee on Faculty Development, Conduct and Welfare (January 2004-present); The committee successfully worked for amending the BOR-approved policy for U.P. Diliman on “up or out” for Instructors and “in or out” for temporary Assistant and Associate Professors, removing the original lifetime ban on rehiring of those who were not able to complete the requirements for promotion to Assistant Professor (for Instructors) or for tenure (for Assistant Professors and Associate Professors).

• Member, U.P. Diliman University Council Committee on University Governance (January 2008-present)

• Member, U.P. Diliman University Council Committee on National Programs and Policies (January 2001-January 2004)

• Chair, Department of Women and Development Studies, College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines, Diliman (2000-2002)

• Director, Research and Extension for Development Office (REDO), College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines, Diliman (June 2004-May 2006)

• Chair, Academic Union Panel, Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) between the U.P. Administration and the All U.P. Academic Employees Union (2007-present)

• Founding National President, All U.P. Academic Employees Union; The union of the rank-and-file faculty and REPS of U.P. has actively worked for the welfare of the academic staff. Among the gains were the P20,000 centennial bonus, ensuring the 10% salary increase for UP employees and the grant of the P1,500 rice subsidy.

• National Vice President for Faculty, All U.P. Academic Employees Union (2008-present)

• Convenor, U.P.-Wide Democratization Movement 2 (U.P. Widem 2) which actively lobbied the Congress and the Senate for the democratization of U.P. governance and for safeguards against commercialization and corporatization of U.P.

* * * *

2009 Faculty Regent Selection Schedules

First Round of Nomination: October 21-24, 2008

Who can nominate (and eventually vote) for Dr. Judy M. Taguiwalo as 2009 U.P. Faculty Regent? -- from INSTRUCTORS up

Names of all nominees and total number of votes shall be submitted by CUs to the OVPAA on October 25, 2008

Office of the President shall determine the top 5 nominees. Will be asked to submit their CV, proposed plan for faculty welfare and their understanding of the role of the OFR in the current context of the university on or before November 3

OVPAA will provide CUs with copies of the CVs and plan on November 5

During the second and final round of nomination, only one nominee shall be chosen by each faculty

The schedule for the second and final round of nomination shall be determined by each CU

The results of the second and final round of nomination shall be submitted to the OVPAA on or before November 22.

Check out the following sites for updates on Dr. Judy M. Taguiwalo and the 2009 U.P. Faculty Regent Nomination and Selection:

NOMIN8 JUDY M. TAGUIWALO 4 UP FACULTY REGENT
JUDY TAGUIWALO 4 FACULTY REGENT
Judy Taguiwalo: Best Choice 4 UP Faculty Regent