Limited spaces for orgs, canteen revealed as campus shifts to more F2F classes
by Matthew Louis Olaer
As impending budget cuts loom over the university, UP Manila students continue to contend over cramped campus spaces that characterize the iskos’ new normal. During hectic weekdays, it is commonplace to see students crowding inside lounges and student centers. Competing over limited seating and bandwidth, the late and unfortunate make do with outside benches, exposed to the city’s elements.
During lunchtime, students frequently resort to purchasing more affordable meals from eateries beyond the safety of the campus, as no designated cafeteria exists for students. Within the university, only three food concessionaires exist — all situated in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), detached from the rest of the university by the busy street of Padre Faura.
“[Spaces in UPM] are not enough to cater [to] all the students [on] the campus. Especially in CAS, when schedules are full, the tables and chairs are also full while waiting outside. [On] the 2nd floor of Rizal Hall, there are benches outside although there is no electric fan,” Juan, a student from the College of Dentistry, said.
Of these three, only two serve meals; of these two, one remains consistently open. Available food options lack variety and fall short in nutritional content, as most are fried or highly processed food, such as instant noodles. The university also lacks designated eating areas for students, forcing diners to occupy spaces not meant for eating. This often leads to common areas devolving into a study area and a hangout that is neither conducive to studying nor student assembly.
“The spaces provided are small, crowded, inaccessible, noisy, or full of mosquitos. While there certainly are improvements in the amount of spaces provided, it is incredibly delayed,” Corazon, a CAS student, said.
This concern about space extends beyond individual students to impact entire student communities. While certain groups enjoy more favorable conditions, many organizations lack a designated gathering space.
Only three offices are designated to institutions and organizations. UP Manila University Student Council and The Manila Collegian have their own room, all situated on the Old NEDA building. In CAS, three organizations share one office space namely: the CAS Student Council, Ang Tagamasid, and CAS Freshies, Shiftees, and Transferees Council.
Many student associations opt for online gatherings because of the lack of a tambayan or any available public space, posing challenges in member outreach and coordination. Although these organizations may consider renting rooms on campus or meeting in cafes outside the university, this incurs financial costs, a burden that can be particularly challenging for organizations already grappling with assembly logistics.
“It is still hard for us to meet face-to-face since there is no common area or tambayan on the Pedro Gil side of UPM. This is also another factor as to why our organization has little manpower, hence our inactivity for this semester,” told a university organization that refused to be named.
The chronic lack of space has been a long-standing issue within the university. Under the tenure of then Chancellor Carmencita Padilla, UPM attempted to maximize ‘vertical spaces’ to cope with the campus’ limited land area. Though facilities have been established in this regard, such as the Sports Sciences and Wellness Center along Pedro Gil, to this day, a number of construction and rehabilitation projects remain postponed due to the unavailability of materials and delayed release of funds.
While there have been recent improvements with the addition of more chairs, benches, and tables, the future of spaces in UPM remains uncertain, and the call for #WeNeedSpace remains as relevant as ever.
