The town hall meeting with Dean Rey Papa will begin shortly.

Dean Papa mentioned that each faculty should have provided a schedule of activities and assessments until the end of the term.

Majority of the courses will be asynchronous (self-paced). Students should be disciplined enough to read the materials on their own.

Grades from the preliminary period will not be encoded.

The modified grading system will be as follows:

70% will be class standing: this includes the activities that have transpired before the quarantine period

30% will be the activities and assessments to be done during the quarantine period

There will only be a maximum of three assessments per course. These include quizzes, papers, etc. (This excludes the departments who have asked permission to implement assessments differently.)

"This is not just for the benefit of the students, but also for the faculty." - Dean Rey Donne S. Papa

The University has only allowed Blackboard as the official platform for online assessment. However, there are some cases wherein emails, google drive, or Zoom maybe allowed.

Dean Papa states that students should not be afraid to email or leave personal messages to their professors in case there are problems. Respect and honesty should be vital in relaying concerns.

According to Dean Papa, "Walang babagsak this sem. The grades will be given from 1.00-3.00...this is a form of mass promotion. All opportunities will be given; walang 5.00 this sem.

"Wala kayong dapat katakutan sa in progress (INP) na grade. These grades will be given to those who REALLY do not have means to communicate with the outside world.”

There will be a monitored list of students who will receive INP. Bawal na kalahati ng klase may INP dahil hindi sila nagpasa.

ONE COMPLETE SEMESTER will be given in case a student receives a grade of INP.

On Thesis concerns: we have already discussed the policies and procedures for thesis. For graduating students, some programs will not include oral defense(s) anymore.

For third year students who are preparing research proposals, we have asked 601 teachers to require you to submit something to be graded right now. A final defense will be set.

We are doing our best to make sure that you learn something in a less stressful environment.

I hope, as Scientists, you would be some of the best people to understand the current problems of the Philippines. And with your education, in spite of the circumstances we are in, would inspire you to soldier on and become part of the change that we want.

"Kulang ang support sa science. Itong 10M na award is an insult to scientists everywhere. That much money is not enough to fund. If you're a scientist, you don't work for the reward.”

“UST was bold enough to ask the Telcos for assistance...”

On internet connection: there are efforts of the University to talk to the telcos to boost or help augment connectivity in some areas.

"You are still eligible to take your final exams kahit di pa kayo bayad for the finals"

Your tuition WILL NOT BE REFUNDED, as these are the ones used for your professors' salaries. Miscellaneous funds WILL BE REFUNDED. The Office of Finance is still studying on how to execute this.

"Lab classes will be audited, too. The schedule will be the same as the current/second semester. The freshmen, hindi muna sila papapasukin.”