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There is a rumor circulating around that the College Bound Program is to be abolished. Is this true?
12 November 2006
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Hi Sor,
Dr. Ricardo de Leon’s presidency is barely a year old and, to my mind, no University president have had generated so much controversy in such a short time. In his first few months in office, he had been criticized for having a parade with street dancing in celebration of Christmas. Then he was attacked for the plan to write the ninety nine attributes of Allah on the ninety nine steps of a pathway in the KFCIAAS. This was followed by the issue on requiring employees (administrative staff) to be in Maranao attire in office and putting on Maranao decorations during the National Culture month (?) to create a native ambience around the campus and in the office. But the one that drew so much attention and generated so much controversy was his approval of a request from the Christian community in the campus for a lot where a Christian Center (perhaps with a church) could be erected.
At the height of these controversies when emotions were still running high, I thought many were overreacting and the new president did not deserve the kind of tirade he did receive. I believe all those early programs were done in good faith and might have been aimed at “winning the hearts and minds” of the university constituents, Muslims in particular. I believe the president, being a military man, did not intend to reopen old wounds inflicted on us, Muslims and Christians alike, by the centuries-old Conflict in Mindanao. His early programs may be seen as sincere efforts in pursuance of the special mission of the university as a government instrument for integration. As a sign of good faith, as soon as he felt that the programs were producing the opposite of the hoped-for results, he immediately stopped them. In fact, none of the most controversial which caused so much uproar from the Maranao public pushed through. I believe we should give the president the benefit of the doubt.
But right now, there is a rumor circulating around which is likely to cause another controversy if proven true --- that the College Bound Program is to be abolished. This Program as most MSUans know, is an intervention program aimed at giving “at risk” students from the Muslim and cultural communities a better chance of getting admitted to the university and earning a baccalaureate degree. Students admitted into the Program are those students who, under the regular university admission procedures/policies, could not have been admitted. However, their chances of being admitted and making it through college increase dramatically when given a crash lectures in tool subjects such as Mathematics and English. It is through the Program that students from the Muslim and other cultural communities are admitted. Abolition of the Program would therefore, mean reducing or limiting the number of Muslims that are admitted to the university. If there is indeed a plan for its abolition, I believe there must be a good reason to do so. Otherwise, it must be opposed vehemently.
What do you say?
Dear Anonymous,
Greetings of Peace!
Thank you for your concern on what goes on in MSU. The question of whether or not the rumor that the College Bound Program (CBP or the Program for short) is to be abolished is quite difficult to answer. Being a mere rumor, we can’t give a definitive answer. Due to this I requested two important persons I know who have been so much involved in the Program to share their opinions and shed more light on the rumor, Prof. Yusoph C. Latip and Dr. Minang Sharief. The former is one of the pillars of the CBP and the present president of the Ranao Council. The latter is the director of the Pre-University Program and an elder member of the Council. They have committed to give their comments on this “Let’s Talk”
The rumor on the possible abolition of the CBP is not new. It’s been around during the entire thirteen years that I’ve been with the Program first as a student participant, as a tutor and then as a lecturer. Perhaps every university president at one time or another must have thought of abolishing the Program. But after realizing the wisdom of sustaining the Program as an important instrument in attaining the special mission of the University as an instrument of integration, the rumor simply died out. I hope this will also be the case in the present “rumor”. As you said, “the CBP is an intervention program aimed at giving “at risk” students from the Muslim and cultural
communities a better chance of getting admitted to the university and earning a baccalaureate degree. Students admitted into the Program are those students who, under the regular university admission
procedures/policies, could not have been admitted…” Hence, CBP is really another chance afforded to those who did not make it in the SASE given annually to be a part of the institution and make the best out of their training so they may become better and useful members of society.
As a product of the CBP, I would say that without it, there would have been no person writing this now. I myself may be a proof that not all standardized admission tests are measures of true intelligence, preparedness and emotional stability. Through the CBP, I was able to discover hidden talents and skills I did not know I possessed. After the training, my award as “Best in English” and the Program topnotch became my inspiration that pushed me through till I earned a baccalaureate degree. My CBP intensive training made me a determined student throughout college.
As a lecturer and a faculty of the English department, I noticed that students who went through the Program are much better off than those who did not. So, to the people who kept on toying with the idea of abolishing the CBP, I suggest they should know and understand the wisdom of creating the Program in the first place. I hope the present university president would also, like his predecessors, perceive and appreciate the importance of the Program.
With this, I agree that if there is no significant reason to abolish the CBP, we should vehemently oppose it.
Sor.
Email host Prof. Sorhailah Latip-Yusoph at
sllatip@yahoo.com
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Yul c. Latip
MSU Marawi |
16 - 11 - 2006
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Dear Sor,
I am glad it is only a rumor - or yet a rumor? Personally, I have received verbal and text message inquiries from worried parents, teachers and principals all over Lanao. Like you, I can not make clear answers to a rumor. But the intensity of the rumor and the frequcy of the messages started to make us worry. Dr. Sahrief personally asked VPAA Guro about the rumor and the VP, accordingly, has denied any plan or decision of the present adminstration to abolish the CBP.
The Director and faculty members of the Pre University Center ( the unit offering and implementing the CBP) have reasons to worry. Series of decisions in the past one year seems to confirm the rumor or may lead to the "slow death" of the program. Among these decisions are:
(1) The 2 staff who are the only suport staff of PUC /CBP were not renewed leaving the unit with NO staff at all.
(2) The 7 faculty items of professors and instructors assigned to the Center were removed and transferred to other units ( not to the original or mother units but to non-teaching units) without consultation. This leaves the Center with NO single itemized faculty position.
(3) The very small priviliges of faculty members such as honoraria to those with designations or overtime fees for serving during enrolment and after office hours due to absence of any staff - is totally suspended.
(4) Plans are underway to reclassify SASE takers to Passers and Non-Passers (Failed) and nothing in between. This directly imply that there are NO Conditional passers who are usually asked to take the CBP to make up for some deficiencies.
The CBP is not a program conceived and developed under President Umpa as some may thought it is. The concept for the upgrading and bridging program for the Muslims and other members of the Cultural Minority to ensure thier competitive admission to MSU was suggested by President Antonio Isidro in his 1966 Term-end Report. President Mauyag Tamano formalized it into program known as COLLEGE BOUND PROGAM in 1970 - 1972. It was temporarily suspended till 1984. But in the summer of 1985 Acting President Ali Dimaporo re-implmented the CBP. President Ahmad Alonto Jr, added a parallel program to be implemented on regular semesters - the College Preparatory Course (CPC). President Emily Marohombsar institutionalized the CBP and CPC by creating the Pre University Center ( PUC) to ensure the stability of CBP/CPC programs. President Camar Umpa, added the PUC in the Internal Budget Structure of MSU and reassigned 7 faculty items with veteran professors.
Whatever is the new agenda and programs of Acting President Ricardo de Leon and his top officials, they should realize the critical need for the CBP/CPC programs in the attainment of the legal mandate of MSU.
It will be most unfortunate for MSU and the Muslims ( Maranaos in particular) if the circulating rumor really comes to reality. MSU will go back to the late 60's when only few Maranaos and/or Msulims are in the classrooms.
The Commission on Higher Ecuation, CHED, has taken CBP/CPC as model and basis for a national Pre-Baccalaureate Program. While the whole country is envious of MSU and decides to follow its programs - MSU is deciding to downgrade to slow death the much envied program.
I certainly hope that this adminstration meant what they claim through the VPAA that the rumor is not true.
Email : yulclatip@msumain.edu.ph
Homepage : http://msumain.edu.ph
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Rocaira Racman-Gumal
Pre University Center |
18 - 11 - 2006
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Dear Sor,
Please allow me also to express my sentiments on the rumor that CBP will be abolished. It would really break my heart as I practically grew up and got married and will probably get old in the PUC-CBP. Having been part of the program since 1985 as student coordinator until I became one of its regular faculy members, or am I(?) since the special order to transfer our our items to PUC has been revoked earlier this year, I have grown to love dearly the Center and its two programs. I am absolutely certain my co-workers in the Center feel the same as I do. Is it really a misunderstood program or are there just people who choose to be so negative about it. If the rumor is true it could probably be due to negative comments from the ditractors of the Center, believing its two programs, the College Bound Program (summer) and the College Preparatotry Course(regular semester)are "sablay". Well, I forgive this people as "they don't know what they are doing". I think they should come to the Center and take a look at the tabular and graphical presentation of the result of a Master's thesis done by Solaiman Mangorsi which will prove beyond doubt that the Pre University Center is NOT "sablay" but on the contrary it is deed doing wonders for our students. For example: Students who passed through the PUC have a passing rate of 67.59 % in Math 17 as compared to those who went immediately to Math 17 (by virtue of getting higher SASE scores) and having a passsing rate of only 34 %. My God Sor, that is a difference of 9.52 computed Z-value. That is only in Math 17! They should also take a look at how they performed in Math 1, 2, 31, 40, 32, English 1, 2 and 3!
One University employee commented like she feels sorry for us teachers if indeed the Center will be abolished. But you know what? they should feel soryy for their children and their children's children who might forever lose the one chance of their lives to study in the University. We, the teachers could simply be reassigned to the other colleges or units of the University. Who loses anyway? The Meranaos and the other Cultural Minorities. I hope our "bosses" realize the very significant role the Center is playing in the lives and futures of our people.
Email : roxgumal@yahoo.com
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Diane M.
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18 - 11 - 2006
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I also received several text messages about this rumor. I believe it is just a rumor as I know that people "up there" know how important and special the CBP is to the university. And, if this issue ceases to be a rumor (and becomes reality), I know that the CBP will not just fall without a fight.
:)
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Bystander
MSU Main |
18 - 11 - 2006
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No, certainly not! Diane is right! We will not just sit and watch with folded hands while the CBP is being choked to death. Those enumerated by Prof. Latip is a way of choking the program to death. Killing the program is not only through an official declaration that it is being abilished. You can kill it by removing slowly and one by one its life support. They're doing that now!
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Jawhara
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08 - 12 - 2006
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Sor,
Another committe has been created by the University although I don't know the details of the purpose of the ommittee. But they seem to be asking a lot of questions about the College Bound Program and how it works. I am not sure if their line of questioning is leading to the improvement, support or death of the program. They say they wonder what miraculous things do the CBP people employ to make scholars or better students of the participants in so short a time as 6 weeks.
Isn't it enough that the program has stayed for 2o years? Isn't that proof enough that it is an important program and very relevant? Could we invite the Director or any of the members of the management board to educate the MSU constituents on the College Bound Program? Incidentally, we cannot ask Prof. Latip anymore as he is no longer a member of the management board since he is no longer the VPAA. Wasn't he in the board as a proponent of the program and not as VP?
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Concerned MSUan
MSU, Marawi City |
08 - 12 - 2006
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Dear Let's talk host:
We have heard that the SASE office is not publishing/announcing their top performers this year. Do you think this is fair for all the schools and students who did thir best to be recognized? You know this is like more than the BAR exam for us since more than 30,000 students nationwide take the SASE exam. Please help us confirm this and maybe help us also to seek an explanation. I think those deserving also deserve a most valid explanation.
Thank you so much and may I take this opportunity to congratulate your organization for this most noble and most timely project.
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S.Y. MSUan
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10 - 12 - 2006
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Hi Sor,
I'm just concern about the rumor!!! As every lie/rumor has 25 percent truth in it.
My point here is the University administration must not forget that the university was founded mainly for the Maranaos and the other cultural minorities.Thus, they must not divert the purpose of the existence of the univesity. It is a fact that the main purpose of establishing the CBP is to fulfill the requirements of the university as well. Creation of the CPB is as vital as creating a bridge between Banggolo and Pamping or even Marawi and Iligan.
Aboloshing CBP is just like crippling the Maranaos and other disadvantaged cultural minorities, which will defeat the main purpose of the foundation of the University.
I believed that the University constitution need to be reviewed on a regular basis so it does not divert from its main purpose.
Thank you very much...
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MSUPrepian
Marawi City |
13 - 12 - 2006
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Subject: Rumored Abolition of CBP
Dear Soar-High,
If there is any grain of truth that the present administration of MSU entertains the idea of abolishing CBP, I would like to make the gory conjecture that this is a part of the GRAND PLAN (finding the best alibi against 'at risk' Muslim students) to move the main campuas of the university elsewhere, and out of Marawi.On this issue, I see the two groups of villains: those in the university administration wanting to capitalize on just anything to gain the 'usual' selfish interests to the dismay and disadavantage of the Muslims; and those Muslims who are formally connected with the university either in the academe or in the administrative branch who opt to remain complacent to the issue. Both groups are serving the same master and objective.
The establishment of the university must be recalled and the very objective that it was purported to serve - the Muslims and the cultural communities. Minus the CBP, the university is well directed to serve another villanous purpose.
To the people in the administration, we address our thoughts. The College Bound Program is an old program and one that deserves serious thought such as how to strengthen it; how to support it financially, materially, morally, etc. Anything less is a disservice to the university's creation. Remember, it is the 'doorway' through which Muslim students and the cultural communities pass to make it to the university.
For so many reasons, the university administration must consider improving the Pre-University Office, the home of the College Bound Program in terms of manpower, money, machines, and materials. In fact, what it is today as a self-sustaining program, the PUC must already be a regular academic office of the university.
Think hard about this! Listen to the testinmoies of its successful graduates who now number in tens of thousands, I suppose, since it was started in the late 70's.
I am no CBP product but I have watched it do service to the Muslim and cultural community students int he Minsupala Region.
Thank you for reading and being able to share.....
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Bystander
MSU Marawi |
16 - 12 - 2006
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I absolutely agree with MSUprepian. It would be a great disservice to the people the University is supposed to serve, the Muslims and other cultural communities in Mindanao, if the CBP is abolished. Such a program is almost as old as the University itself. It is not true that it started in the late 70’s or early 80’s. I am a student participant of the first batch in 1970 and that is 36 years ago!!! The very idea for the program is to help the Muslims and those coming from the other cultural communities able to get into the University, cope better in their college life and go home to their respective communities with baccalaureate degrees. I can still recall the names of many of my classmates in CBP, most of whom made it through college remarkably well.
Personally, I will only be amenable to any move to abolish the program, if there is something better to take its place. And there doesn’t seem to be one at the moment. So perhaps, we better leave it as is.
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The Decline
msu |
23 - 12 - 2006
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Today, we see the decline of the Academe. The MSU SASE loosing its credibility and revolves around the will and caprises of few officials who prefer to protect their personal agneda than save the Academe, the MSU Online practically dead, the CIT stagnates, faculty development almost gone, faculty members unpaid for months,anf finally faculty members meeting their classes once every two months, I wont be surprised if CBP will die. If Acting President de Leon stays we hope he puts some thought and concerns to the academe. The true yardstick of the Univesity is accademic standards and performance.
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Observer
MSU Marawi |
23 - 12 - 2006
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Let's hope Pres. de Leon really meant what he publcly announced at the OPAC ceremony at the College of Agriculture that he is only up to January seven, 2007. We further hope he is not like his boss in Malacanang, GMA, who says one thing but does another. A true leader and a gentleman is one who does what he says and mean what he says. Of course that was not the first time he said it that's why people who heard him say it again simply shrugged their shoulders and said, "well, he said that once and nothing happens. Perhaps he wants to feel the pulse of the public again." But let's give him the benifit of the doubt this time. Perhaps he finally realized the harm and the damage he has been doing the academe and wants to make amends. Who knows?
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