URGENT MEDIA ADVISORY
March 23, 2014
Message to UP profs on calendar shift: Don’t fail us!
Concerned UP Diliman (UPD) professors, students, staff renew their opposition to the shift in the academic calendar as the UPD University Council (UC) discusses the result of the faculty referendum on the issue on Monday (March 24), 9:00 a.m. at the auditorium of the GT Toyota Asian Cultural Center, located near Romulo Hall (Asian Center) of UP Diliman, Quezon City.
It may be recalled that the UPD UC already voted against the proposed shift at its meeting last December 2. There was also an agreement to organize a forum on the proposal which was held last February 10.
The UPD Executive Committee, however, at its special meeting last February 17, decided to hold a referendum from February 24 to 26 where majority of faculty members voted in favor of the shift in the academic calendar.
At present, questions are being raised as regards the holding of the referendum which was not sanctioned by the UC and which negated what was decided upon at the December 2 UC meeting.
At the UC meeting, organized UPD students and staff are expected to hold a rally as the UC meets on the issue.
As the meeting is held on the first day of finals week at UPD, concerned students send a strong message to their professors: “Don’t fail us! Oppose the shift in the academic calendar!”
In a statement, the concerned members of the UPD UC stressed the need to protect and defend the integrity of the UC decision-making process. “Is it now the case that when decisions emanating from the UC does not conform with those in Quezon Hall, a referendum can be resorted to?” the concerned members asked.
They added that ignoring decisions made by a quorum of the members is to belittle if not disrespect the UC itself. “The referendum in question is definitely not `more democratic’ than the UC since all those who voted in that referendum have the right and the responsibility to attend regularly, deliberate, debate and vote in UC meetings.”
They also exposed the deception of the UP administration as regards ASEAN integration which is supposed to be the reason for the academic calendar shift. The concerned UPD UC members cited a study in 2013 by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) which cincluded that the ASEAN has no prospect of coming close to a single market by the 2015 deadline, or even by 2020 or 2025.
WHAT: Picket at the University Council meeting and press conference after the meeting
WHEN: March 24 (Monday), 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: GT Toyota Asian Cultural Center auditorium (near Asian Center), UP Diliman, Quezon City
WHO (Organizers): Concerned UP Faculty Against Academic Calendar Change
Photo opportunities and media interviews are available.
- “Plants vs. Zombies” motif – Sunflowers will be the symbol of those against academic calendar change as Batch 2014 could be the last batch of UPD Graduates to witness the sunflowers bloom during an April graduation. Zombies will personify those who are in favor of academic calendar change as they will bring about a host of problems with regard to internationalization, teaching during the hottest months of the year (April and May), among other issues.
- “Sunflower cards” will be given away to faculty members who will attend the UC meeting to register opposition to academic calendar change.
