In its 47 years of existence, the School of Library and Information Studies has shown indisputable strength: from the year it was established as the Institute of Library Science; then 2002 when it was renamed Institute of Library and Information Science; until last March of 2007 when it was finally named to its current name the School of Library and Information Studies.  In the years of its milestone progress and continuing development, however, the request of the School for its own building has remained and continued to be neglected.

The current location of the SLIS Community in the 3rd floor of the UP Main Library can no longer accommodate the growing needs of the School, especially with its increasing number of students and faculty members. The Student Council for example, needs to have its own office where the council can deliberate and organize its programs and events for the SLIS Community; an office conducive for working that will help the council to function effectively as student leaders of the SLIS student body. Also, the demand for official tambayans of our two local student organizations (UP FLIPP and UP LISSA) is essential. Aside from the fact that it will cater to their growing number of members; it will also serve as a place where they can effectively and efficiently plan their activities and programs. Sadly, these needs are remained unanswered given the minute space of the School.

Moreover, concrete conditions such as dilapidated ceilings, poor ventilation and inadequate facilities remain and continue to be a burden to the whole Community especially in fostering real academic atmosphere. The absence of a teacher and student lounge is also becoming a hindrance for both teachers and students to have a place where they can interact and mingle with each other. A lounge that will help both students and the faculty to exchange their opinions and accomplish their academic requirements. Furthermore, the limited number of classrooms results to a stressful schedule of classes. Security for both undergraduate and graduate students who take night classes is of primary concern. The small size of classrooms also cannot support large number of students. Take in to consideration also the dilapidated toilet rooms with very scarce water supply, the need for laboratories and mini-theater where we can conduct lecture series, round-table discussions and general assemblies.

The School of Library and Information Studies has indeed proven its caliber to grow and give great contribution to the Philippine society in the advent of Information Age with its ability to produce competitive library and information professionals. It is of great irony that as our University celebrates its centenary, the administration ha still been adamant to the needs of its local colleges.

The whole School of Library and Information Studies community will continue to stand united and firm on its call to have its own building. A building that will serve as a landmark of the SLIS which will give the School its identity and that will help in its further promotion and development of the field of Library and Information Science. A building that has been long-awaited and much deserved.

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Based on the Wakefield Cycle of 32 Mystery Plays, “Ang Pasyon ni Kristo” retells the Passion of the Christ – from His baptism in the River Jordan up to His Resurrection. Mystery Plays presenting Biblical stories were first performed in Europe over 700 years ago, usually in mid June on the Feast of Corpus Christi. The name “mystery” play comes from an old French word (mystere) for the Guilds, or union of craftsmen, workers and laborers, which financed and mounted the plays. The plays were collectively called a Mystery Cycle because they were performed in a sequence beginning with God’s creation of the world and ending with God at the end of the world on Judgment Day.

Directed by Tony Mabesa from the Filipino translation by Jon Lazam, “Ang Pasyon ni Kristo” stars Romnick Sarmenta as Jesus Christ and Stella Cañete as the Virgin Mary. More information on the production and cast are available at 433-7840 (Dulaang UP) or 981-8500 loc. 2449 (UP trunkline) or 09192160440 (BJ Borja, Production Manager). “Ang Pasyon ni Kristo” will run from July 18-29 and August 8-12 at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, 2nd floor. , Palma Hall, UP Diliman, Q.C.

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UP President Emerlinda R. Roman will then launched the centennial agenda at the UP Theater. The centennial agenda will officially direct or guide the centennial celebrations in the constituent universities in 2008.

More here.

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The University Registrar has issued a memorandum saying that this Summer’s registration will follow a trial REAL TIME ENLISTMENT Process.

This involves online on-time first-come-first-served enlistment of subjects for students unable to get their desired classes during the first 2 pre-enlistment runs. This is also where students add or change classes they want to take this summer sem. Any changes to one’s schedule requires them to print a NEW FORM 5A on their own as new procedures require Form 5As to be free from erasures.

In short, all enlisting of subjects for Summer Registration will be done online via CRS. Wala na pong manual enlistment this time.

View real-time enlistment flowchart at the Computerized Registration System (CRS) website. Pre-enlistment (reserving subjects before enrollment proper) has been automated since the late nineties, but the rest of the enrollment process has been manual.

Not sure how well things are going as I am not a student anymore. I’ve read nasty stuff on Prof. Rom Feria’s latest post, other blog posts, and YM status messages and Twitters (the curses are hints enough).

I think the biggest issue is that the CRS server is unable to handle the sheer number of students logging on that they had to limit site access to computers belonging to the DILNET only.

Due to bandwidth and hardware limitations we are disallowing external access (computers outside the DILNET) to the real-time enlistment on April 12 and 13, 2007 and between 8:00 A.M and 5:00 P.M on April 16 to 18, 2007. If you are using a computer outside the DILNET you my access the real-time enlistment between 6:00 P.M and 7:00 A.M from April 14 to 18, 2007.

This erases all possibility of being able to enlist outside campus and UP still ends up having long lines—not to get paper forms but to use the computer. Let’s cross our fingers and hope the system improves soon.

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Each year the College of Engineering contributes 1% of engineering graduates in the country. This year the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) adopted a new admission policy that was designed to admit the best students in the University. UPD’s no-show rate among Freshmen is almost 40% while it’s only 5% for our College. Thus, 900 out of 2800 or 1/3 of UPD’s Freshmen are Engineering students.

The past year has been an excellent year for the College. Our graduates are still the #1 choice of employees of industry. We are gaining ground on relevant research as more government agencies and private companies are engaging the services of our researchers and faculty consultants. The faculty members have taken on the challenge of solving local problems from an engineering vantage. Our alumni came through in the College’s effort to modernize its infrastructure. We are launching a 2-year fund raising campaign to strengthen the faculty complement of the College through the UPAE Centennial Hall naming rights.

The rest of the text can be downloaded here.

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