SU provides support to 196 “stranded“ students
Silliman University (SU) continues to take care 196 students that are still staying either in the dormitories or in the homes of some faculty in the University, after they couldn’t go home due to a lockdown in their area or the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Negros Oriental that will take effect on April 3, 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Edna T. Calingacion, SU Dean of Students disclosed that the initial count of their office were 25 students staying at four (4) SU dormitories, (six of them are international students) and 15 staying at the Divinity Village and Rev. Alpuerto’s house.
Dr. Calingacion said that “with the help of SUSG and the League of Governors and information relayed to us by some faculty and staff, we now have a more comprehensive list and status of these students.”
Of the total number, 95 are males and 101 female. They come from Mindanao (96), Visayas (43), Luzon (39) while the rest are international students.
So far, the student support provided by the University through the Office of Student Services (OSS) include the provision of hygiene kits; food served by the Cafeteria (although charged to their account at a minimal cost); and their accommodation at the dormitories are free for the month of March.
However, starting April 1, the students will be charged with a reasonable amount for their stay just to cover the basic operational cost such as utilities and personnel.
Dr. Calingacion further disclosed that at the moment there are 26 recipients of the Mariano Lao COVID-19 Assistance that include food support for four (4) students and another 21 students with P500 cash assistance.
The dean of students assured that “we are trying to respond to the urgent needs of the students that they have indicated in the survey form and shared through calls. Some students indicated that they need cash and we can only say that they can apply for a P2,000 interest free emergency loan which is payable at the end of the first semester.“
Dr. Calingacion added that the college counselors are now contacting their respective students to provide psycho-emotional support and counseling emphasizing that their office continue to find ways of helping our stranded students.”
Dr. Betty Cernol-McCann, SU president said that the students’ welfare is the primary concern of the university amid the pandemic. Dr. McCann added that these students are the university’s responsibility and seek for solidarity, cooperation and vigilance from everyone in the community.
