EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was originally published in the Flame’s second issue during the academic year 2015-2016.
THE FACULTY of Arts and Letters (AB) will also offer Journalism and Legal Management in the next two academic years, alongside two other degree programs initially retained in the Faculty’s course offerings.
Last year, the University announced it would reduce its program offerings in the academic years 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 to courses which are highly in-demand, initially leaving Communication Arts and Political Science under AB.
The said move is in anticipation of low freshman enrollees due to the full implementation of the K to 12 program.
AB Dean Michael Anthony Vasco said the reopening for enrollment of the said programs was due to the inquiries his office received from the Office for Admissions (OFAD), saying that there were about 20 students each applying for Journalism and Legal Management.
Vasco added this was also to provide opportunities for the applicants who are really into the disciplines. “Baka ‘yung iba napipilitan mag-Communication Arts o napipilitan mag-Political Science kasi ‘yun lang ang available, ‘di ba? Papaano kung in-offer natin ito, then there is now a flexibility on their part,” he said.
The dean also said that it is strategic to offer programs that are aligned to each other to provide better choices for the students—with Journalism and Communication Arts both linked to media studies, and Legal Management and Political Science both related to social sciences.
However, the Faculty may discontinue offering Journalism and Legal Management if there are not enough applicants to make up a class with at least 35 students each.
The Faculty is still waiting for the final number of applicants for the added two programs while hoping there will be enough students, considering applicants must still pass the entrance examination of the University.
Likewise, OFAD Director Marie Ann Vargas advised applicants to choose programs offered by the University first, as the admission office is yet to confirm if the respective colleges are willing to offer applicants’ desired course programs.
Meanwhile, Vasco said those applicants from other disciplines “can reflect and can rectify their application if they wish to go for Journalism and Legal Management.”
Statistics from the Office of the Registrar showed that among degree programs in AB, Communication Arts, Journalism, Legal Management, and Political Science had the most number of enrollees for the past three years. F – MIKKAH F. FACTOR
