DMMMSU launches opening of limited face-to-face classes
Posted on by Maricon C. Viduya

DMMMSU held a program for the launching of limited face-to-face classes in its pilot college, the College of Community Health and Allied Sciences (CCHAMS) of the South La Union Campus. The program was held in Eriguel Hall this morning.

Thirty nursing students were welcomed by Dr. Jaime I. Manuel, Jr., University President, and the Campus Administrators led by Dr. Joanne C. Rivera, Chancellor of SLUC, as well as the Deans, and Program Chairs.

“We see today’s celebration as an opportunity to look back at our collective success while also reflecting on the current challenges that we face today. . . This is our commitment to continue performing our very important mandate of educating hundreds and thousands of students in this part of the Ilocos region – who have been fighting, enduring, and navigating through the new normal set-up in education,” Dr. Rivera said in her opening message.

“At DMMMSU-SLUC, we have tried to provide our best service to all. We have conducted surveys to understand the situations of our students, as well as our teaching and non-teaching personnel. We designed an elaborate system to produce, organize, and deliver high-quality systems and protocols to the changing times,” she added.

Meanwhile, President Manuel acknowledged the leadership of Dr. Rivera and the sacrifices of all personnel involved in the preparations.

“I recognize your hardwork and your willingness to sacrifice so much of your time and effort. You stayed in school beyond 5pm and even during weekends. You juggled your time between accreditation and ISO audit preparations along with your teaching, and months of preparation for this opening of face-to-face classes,” he said.

He further thanked CCHAMS and SLUC for leading the way to the opening of classes in the whole university:

“You have already been very much ready since December. The occurrence of some circumstances which include the declaration of Alert Level 3 in the Province have caused the delay. . . Thank you so much for leaving the message that if CCHAMS can, so do the other colleges and institutes in this Campus. If this Campus can, so do the other Campuses in the University.”

In his closing message, Prof. Gabriel Bacungan, Dean of CCHAMS, also welcomed the students and reminded them that the protocols to be followed are not optional but mandatory. To orient the students on the protocol they need to comply with, he presented a video clip which contains a demonstration of protocols before the students enter the premises of the campus, in their classrooms, to their exit from the campus. The faculty members themselves were the ones who modelled said protocols.

Among the requirements for the implementation of limited face-to-face complied with by DMMMSU include the following:

  • Maximum 50% indoor venue capacity
  • Fully vaccinated teaching and nonteaching personnel could join in the conduct of limited face-to-face classes
  • Only fully vaccinated students are allowed to join in the limited face-to-face classes
  • DOH minimum public health standards
  • Minimum physical distance of 1.5 meters in the classrooms
  • Establishment of crisis management committee
  • Establishment of cyclical student shifting system
  • Determination of the maximum venue capacity facilities
  • Implementation of additional health and safety measures
  • Conduct of simultaneous drills prior to the reopening of limited face-to-face classes
  • Creation of contingency plan for COVID-19 cases
  • Conduct of consultation/s with students, teaching and nonteaching personnel, LGU’s and other stakeholders
  • Information dissemination
  • Retrofitting of facilities
  • Monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of health and safety protocols and compliance with CHED-DOH joint memorandum circular as well as that of the LGU

Other programs in all the Campuses are expected to open limited face-to-face classes. Preparations are currently being done.

The success of the opening of limited face-to-face classes in DMMMSU is also attributed LGU Agoo, DOH, PGLU, CHED-RO1, and other government agencies that helped in the inspection of classrooms and laboratories and in ensuring that all health and safety protocols are strictly followed. (Ayu)  

The CAMERATA render songs with Angklung. President Manuel acknowledged them as the best cultural group in the University.
He promised to allocate funds for the purchase of new sets of instruments and costumes for the group.

Faculty members in their ‘Dito sa DMMMSU’ dance number

Photos | Nathanael Alexis Milanes