THREE ACADEMIC societies from the Faculty of Arts and Letters (AB) have yet to secure accreditation from the Office for Student Affairs (OSA) as of Sept. 22 due to missing requirements, a representative to the council handling student organizations said.
Jim Flores, the AB Board of Directors’ representative to the Student Organizations Coordinating Council (SOCC), said the groups that have not secured OSA recognition are the UST Asian Studies Society (ASSOC), Journalism Society (JRNSOC) and Literary Society (LITSOC).
“The common concern encountered by these organizations is related to their compliance with the requirements for recognition or re-accreditation, particularly the SORR [Student Organizations Recognition Roster],” Flores told The Flame.
The OSA has so far recognized 16 AB organizations this academic year, down by four from the 20 listed groups last year.
Flores said the unaccredited organizations had struggled with both internal transitions and external coordination with university institutions.
JRNSOC president Joshua Emmanuel Camacho said the accreditation process was heavily affected by a poor turnover from the group’s previous administration.
“The incoming administration had to figure out what had already been accomplished, what was missing and what still needed to be submitted,” Camacho told The Flame.
Camacho also cited a lack of clarity and consistency in communication when dealing with SOCC and university offices.
“When communication is delayed, the organization is also placed in a difficult position,” he added.
The Communication Arts Students’ Association (CASA) faced similar problems but is now officially accredited.
“One of the main challenges we encountered was the frequent class suspensions, which made it difficult for us to personally visit and coordinate with the OSA,” CASA acting president Miguel Bonito told The Flame.
ASSOC failed to elect new officers during the previous cycle, affecting its bid for reaccreditation.
Asian Studies Department Chair Jonathan Libut gave assurance that the society is addressing its deficiencies.
“In coordination with the AB COMELEC (Commission on Elections), we are scheduled to hold a special election for ASSOC this month,” Libut told The Flame.
While the unaccredited groups continue to be guided by the SOCC, they should contact the OSA directly to clarify their respective status, deficiencies and other necessary steps they need to take, Flores said.
JRNSOC recently submitted a formal request for reconsideration. Camacho said his group has submitted all remaining requirements and is waiting for the University’s decision on its accreditation.
The OSA released the official list of recognized student organizations in a Facebook post on Sept. 14. They include the AB Debate Parliament, Artistang Artlets, BA Dauncen, Behavioral Science Society, Concilium Philosophiae, History Society, Legal Management Society, The Political Science Forum and UST Chorus of Arts and Letters.
The University also recognizes the AB units of Pax Romana and Red Cross Youth Council, The English Language Studies Society, UST Makatha Circle, UST Sociological Society, Artlets Economics Society and the Communication Arts Students Association.
OSA has urged students to join only recognized groups, saying it does not “recognize, authorize, or endorse” organizations missing from the official list.
According to an SOCC Facebook post on Sept. 19, the onsite recruitment fair for student organizations will run from Sept. 22 to 25 at the UST Plaza Mayor. F — with reports from Alden Stephen Texon and Nitya Aku
