Southern Leyte State U reopens its gates, welcomes back students for the new academic year

The students are now back at the campus as Southern Leyte State University reopens its gates from all campuses for the implementation of the limited face-to-face classes for academic year 2022-2023.

This is the first academic year where students are back on campus since March 2020 due to pandemic. 

Hundreds of students queued up in the gates of the University to get inside the campus. Upon entry, they submitted themselves for a body temperature check and checking of Provincial QR codes and StaySafe QR Code.

For the first time in two years, hundreds of students were able to join the flag raising ceremony, together with the faculty and staff.

In her speech, University President Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes expressed her delight as hundreds of students were already present in the vicinity of the campus, ready to participate in their respective classes in person.

"Seeing you in numbers after two years is quite overwhelming. However, I am excited that all of you are here already. We must remember however that the COVID-19 is still present so we must still follow the minimum health protocols," said Dr. Yepes, encouraging the students to wear face masks and bring their disinfectant sprays all the time.

Dr. Yepes also encouraged the students to make friends, build support system, establish a community within themselves, and make the most of their time while in the campus.

The implementation of face-to-face classes is one of the approaches of the flexible learning modality of instruction alongside online classes and distribution of modules. This is stipulated in CHED (Commission on Higher Education) Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 04 series of 2020 and CMO No. 06 series of 2022.

Students Orientation

The Office of the Vice President for Students and Auxiliary Services welcomed the students, both new and old, through conducting a series of Students Orientation activities.

In coordination with the different Heads of Student Affairs and Services (SAS) from the satellite campuses, the six campuses of the University conducted their respective Student Orientation to present the services that the SAS provides to the students and allow them to clarify University policies and related concerns.

The University President Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes officially welcomed the students for making it to Southern Leyte State U, their historic comeback at the University after attending online classes for the past two years due to the pandemic.

"We all worked extra hard accordingly to all the changes and had to make sure that you are best prepared for the future," Dr. Yepes added.

Meanwhile, the VPSAS Dr. Juanita M. Costillas delivered a short message emphasizing that the past two years have been the most challenging yet the most important time to an educator, administrator, and a parent.

The Students Orientation gives an overview of the academic expectations to let the students prepare to meet the challenges of the collegiate academics. They are further provided with the glimpse of the University that will play a defining role in their life as a student to become familiar with the campus and the University culture.

ASEAN-Themed Costume Fashion Show

Aside from welcoming the students, Southern Leyte State U also took part in the month-long celebration of the 55th Founding Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) where faculty and staff, including students, participated in the activity that showcased ASEAN-inspired costumes.

Spearheaded by the Office of the Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Services, Southern Leyte State U organized a fashion show that features ASEAN-inspired costumes.

Some participants wore costumes from ASEAN counties like that of Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and others.

Dr. Francis Ann R. Sy is glad to have this kind of activity to promote cultural awareness among employees and students.

"This is not just a mere taking part of the celebration of the ASEAN milestone but rather our way of appreciating the culture of our fellow ASEAN countries and to also make ourselves aware of their tradition," Dr. Sy added.

On August 8, Southern Leyte State U also participated in the simultaneous flag raising ceremony as a kick-off activity of the 55th ASEAN Day.

Such activities were planned and conducted to achieve ASEAN's goal of providing young people with various backgrounds and interests to unleash their potential and play an active role in addressing present challenges.

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