NEWS | HEED STUDENTS’ CALLS: Dialogue between the UPCD admin and the students
By: Christel Castro
Co-written with Nicole Alvarez (from The Arch)
The UP College of Dentistry (UPCD) administration, headed by UPCD Dean Danilo Magtanong, engaged in an online dialogue with the students regarding their demands and call to end the semester on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. The dialogue commenced at 5:30 pm and lasted for 4 hours.
Before the start of the online assembly, Dean Magtanong requested the exclusion of the coverage team of The Manila Collegian from the meeting.
Issues within the college
The dialogue between UPCD students and admin started with the detailed report of Magtanong about the current situation of the college.
Magtanong reported that the inability to proceed with the face-to-face (f2f) classes, including the limited laboratory f2f sessions, was due to the lack of IATF permission. According to him, the administration already submitted the required documents, however, they were not given permission to proceed.
“The platform that we are doing now has been exposed to inequality and inaccessibility of students. High skill-based curriculum, such as Dentistry, [includes] concepts that cannot be learned [virtually], wala tayong argumento doon. In fact, this is the very reason why your administration has been trying to get an exemption to face-to-face [classes], exactly because of these reasons,” Magtanong stated. “Kaya lang, marami ring tumanggi pero we still proceeded. Kaya lang, it has still not been granted nga because there are rules to follow,”
Magtanong admitted that there are lapses due to inability to provide updates but he assured that all concerns are heard and the administration, together with the faculty, are making efforts. He also asked the help of Assistant to the Dean Charlie Atienza, DDM to post the updates on the current status of the development for the preparation of limited f2f classes.
Furthermore, the college will follow the directive released by the UP system regarding the end of the semester. UPCD will also follow the directive to provide a grade of “P” or pass for all students as subsumed in the OVPAA Memorandum 2020–143. If learning outcomes are insufficient, as deemed by the faculty members, failing marks will not be given, instead, a grade of INC will be provided where the students are given one year to complete their requirements.
Jointly, the administration provided an extension on the submission of grades to help students fulfill their requirements and earn a passing grade.
Regarding the mass promotion of residents with limited requirements, Department of Clinical Dental Health Sciences Chair Antolin Serraon, DDM stated that the decision will be upon the discretion of the faculty of the discipline. He expressed that students still need to achieve a certain level of competency and skill, even in the face of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, on the issue regarding the tuition fee for the current semester, Magtanong mentioned that the college cannot waive the tuition fee as it is in accordance with the decision of the university.
“The effects of pandemic, the current mode of learning, [and the]recent typhoons have rendered many students and faculty tired, devastated. Grasping at the straws just to survive,” Magtanong lamented as he recognized that the recent calamities affected the whole UPCD community.
He stated that the administration, along with faculty members, have provided and will continue to provide accessible learning channels and materials, given the condition that any adjustments to the curriculum, syllabi, and academic calendar should be first approved by the Board of Regents (BOR).
Magtanong already talked to the faculty and department heads on alternative plans for learning such as the possible use of simulators. He admitted that these are not enough to replace the actual handling of patients but he believes that these can at least help and prepare the students.
Preparations for F2F classes
Magtanong reassured the students on the preparation for the limited f2f laboratory and clinical sessions as he assigned a committee for the reengineering of the college. Interim devices are currently being procured and installed in the Restorative, Dental Materials and Biochemistry laboratories, including a portion of the Department of Operative Dentistry clinic for the simulated activities. He reported that the interim engineering solutions are now ready.
Additional costs in regard to the masks (e.g. surgical masks) will be covered and supplies will be provided in laboratory classes for both the students and the faculty.
In regards to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab testing, Magtanong explained the disadvantages of PCR not only because of the cost, but also the infection risk of multiple appointments in the college. He also commented that the college cannot provide these tests for free since it does not have its own testing laboratory and that the most probable solution would be to send the individual to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) for testing.
Magtanong then emphasized the responsibility of all to follow the health protocols. He stated that the college cannot be held accountable if a member of the UPCD community contracts the COVID-19, as stated by the Chancellor. All protocols will be approved by the Hospital Infection Control Unit (HICU) and the IATF, whom the college has been in constant communication with.
In regards to the Periodontal models, the administration revealed that 10 models are included in the purchase request for the second semester. He assured them that they have acquired enough models and are waiting for the procurement procedure. They are also waiting for the budget clearance of extra-oral vacuum machines and have signed the procurement of PPEs, masks, and gowns which will be then negotiated by the college.
On the other hand, the project on ventilation exhaust system and other miscellaneous works is currently on the Notice of Award (NOA). The administration is currently waiting for the contract on the notice to proceed. Magtanong stated that he pushed for the contract to be expedited.
He mentioned that 15 high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters have been procured and now distributed to the laboratory rooms as interim devices for this semester. Additionally, all procedures will be done under the reengineered heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) in the college and that UV ozone lamps will not be used.
For any other concerns, Magtanong urged students to reach out to him and inform the administration.
Dialogue between the students and the admin
The UP Dentistry Student Council (DSC) collated the students’ concerns regarding the continuation of the semester in their letter to Magtanong dated November 24, 2020. The letter contains the demands of the students regarding ending the semester and mass promotion.
A call for the provision of accessible alternative learning channels and materials was highlighted since online learning is perceived by students as a not conducive platform for a high skill-based curriculum. The student body also demanded transparency regarding the administration’s preparations for f2f learning next year.
In the survey conducted by the DSC, more than 80% of the student body demanded either ending the sem, mass promotion, or both.
Furthermore, during the dialogue, the students raised their primary concerns about the plans of the administration regarding the execution of their current mode of learning.
DSC Vice Chairperson for External Affairs Sandy Villanueva raised her concern about the contextualization of the “no-fail policy” released by the UP System given the prerequisite nature of pre-dentistry.
Department of Basic Dental Sciences Chair Bhabita Murjani, DDM emphasized that the “no-fail policy” affects all the white colleges.
“We are aware of that and we know the difficulty of that. What are we looking at now is doing bridging activities prior to the start of the sem,” Murjani stated.
“[In] the ‘no fail’, you will be given ‘INC’. You have a year to complete it. We are encouraging the students that during the vacation time, if they can prioritize the subjects with a prerequisite. Last semester, during the break there were already bridging programs and they have a year to complete,” Murjani added.
Students also raised their concern regarding the supposed f2f classes in March next year. Department of Clinical Dental Health Sciences Chair Antolin Serraon stated, “Kung ma-re-ready yung [reengineering] at makakakuha tayo ng permit, pwede na tayo magkaroon ng [face-to-face] classes. It will be strictly appointed kasi, may mga procedures pa tayo.”
“The Chancellor is writing again to the IATF. We are [just] waiting for the ‘go’ signal,” Murjani assured.
Moreover, DSC Auditor Jiliane Santos emphasized the situation of the students’ mental health during these pressing times.
“Mental health is deeper than all the counseling and guidance. We need to identify its root cause and address it from there,” Santos stated.
The issue on red tagging also surfaced as members of the DSC raised their concerns regarding the labeling of the council as left-leaning. Magtanong responded by saying that if it involves the faculty or the student, report it to the administration by sending a letter directly to him. He assured the students that the administration will investigate it reiterated they are here to settle things.
Call for #WalangIwanan
Despite the calls for mass promotion and ending the semester, the UPCD administration firmly decided to end the semester as originally scheduled.
Magtanong explained that it is nearly impossible to achieve the call #WalangIwanan. He emphasized that they do not deem the call as unimportant, rather, they have different views from the students regarding the concept.
“Sa situation natin, hindi available ang option na walang iiwanan,” Magtanong justified. “Meron talagang ma-di-disadvantage. Merong maiiwan, merong aabante.”
CD Representative to the University Student Council Querobin Acsibar rallied for the administration’s support regarding the students’ calls and the fight against the Duterte administration.
“We want to see you’re with us in this fight. We [only] want the best: to serve the people,” Acsibar stated.
However, Magtanong iterated that the fight against Duterte is a personal battle and a choice, not an act of the college.
Moreover, DSC Chairperson Iana Madlangbayan emphasized the council’s role as the representation of the student body. As the council, they are tasked to communicate the students’ calls to the administration.
“Katulad po ng lahat, ginagawa lang din po namin yung trabaho namin. We do not intend to hurt or undermine everyone’s efforts. Sana po matigil na yung isip ng karamihan na kapag may letters na pinapasa ‘yung council, it is our personal opinion when in fact it is the students po,” Madlangbayan stated.
The online assembly officially adjourned at 9:38 PM.
