Editor’s note (July 14, 2021): The Perspective is clarifying the detail regarding the submission of the plan to the OVCAA. The paragraph in question has since been revised accordingly.
Without any prior consultation with the BS Nutrition student body, the Institute of Human Nutrition and Food (IHNF) of the College of Human Ecology (CHE) will add another semester for Nutrition students. With the revised plan of study, there would be one additional semester needed for Batch ‘19 students to finish the degree program.
At the townhall meeting with IHNF this morning, where the plan was officially announced, it was clarified by the institute that the revision was aimed to standardize the number of units into 12 per semester, resulting in “at least one semester of delay”, even for Batch 2020.
With this 12-unit standard, Batch ‘20 students were also advised to take 14 units for the 1st Semester of AY 2021-2022, as General Education (GE) subjects were unavailable for them this current Midyear Term. They no longer need to process an overload permit to enlist next semester.
Questions arose on the decision by IHNF, particularly for Batch ‘19 students who, for whatever reason, cannot afford to delay. Noreen Flores, former CHESC councilor, said that some irregular and already-delayed students would most probably sync with the higher subjects of Batch ‘19, resulting in a much worse delay.
“Need kasi completed lahat before practicum including [HNF] 200 [practicum], tapos kung may waiting time ka before practicum, bawal mag-take ng electives, so basically underload[ed],” Flores told the publication.
As for scholarships, such as the one provided by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the institute could give out letters with attachments of the redesigned curriculum, for scholars to have stipends for any excess semesters that they would be required.
Current CHESC chairperson Chelsea Sison explained that the rationale behind this move was based on “survey results” from both IHNF on remote learning.
“Yup, ‘di nag-consult sa students, binaba lang talaga siya [redesigned curriculum] kanina to everyone, though ang reasoning nila ay based off survey results ‘yun na nakalap nila from previous surveys na nilabas ng IHNF on RTL [remote learning], pati na rin ng SCs. They limited the [number] of units due to dissatisfaction sa courses ng mga students ngayong RTL,” said Sison.
She added that, to her knowledge, this will be carried out this first semester, A.Y. 2021-2022.
IHNF further said in the townhall meeting that if ever the revised curriculum would result in excess of the Maximum Residency Rule (MRR), a letter of waiver of fees must be submitted to CHE College Secretary.
To Sison’s knowledge, Asst. Prof. Recylyn Bayna-Mariano , the Curriculum Committee Chair, said that the plan will be given to Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA) for “formality’s sake.” However, [P] has yet to confirm this detail.
The Perspective is currently reaching out to IHNF for their side on the matter. More details to follow. [P]
Photo by Sophia Isabel Pangilinan
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