Chancy selection for three campuses underway

(published on August 7, 2008 in Philippine Collegian)
by: Richard Jacob Dy

Issues on representation and transparency in the process yet again hound the ongoing search for the next chancellors of UP units in Visayas (UPV), Los Banos (UPLB), and Manila (UPM).

Mae Therese Anglopez, University Student Council (USC) chair of UPV, said the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and Tacloban College were unable to participate in the nomination for the members of the unit's search committee (SC).

Anglopez said the memo calling for nominations to the SC was ignored by former dean Ebonia Seraspe. "All colleges from Tacloban to Miagao were informed of the nomination. But CAS student council did not even know about it until last July 28 after all SC seats were taken," she added.

Seraspe could not be reached as of press time.

Dr. Erlinda Palaganas, national president of the All-UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU), also said SC reports should be made available to the public. "Search committee reports are no exemption to the democratic process and transparency valued in the university," she said.

Currently, SC reports are submitted only to UP President Emerlinda Roman, who will then recommend a nominee to the Board of Reagents (BOR).

Leo Fuentes, UPLB-USC chair, meanwhile, said the next chancellor should look at education as a right, and uphold the democratic rights of students by conducting consultations when implementing new policies.

The deadline for nominations is set on August 12, after which a series of interviews and consultations with the nominees will be held until September 5. Roman will endorse a nominee in the BOR meeting on September 29.

"The challenge for the committees is to conduct as much as possible comprehensive consultations (with) all constituents and colleges. Active participation of [all] constituents is necessary," says Student Regent Shahana Abdulwahid.

There are no nominees yet in the three units as of press time.