Office of the Student Affairs

ARTICLE 36. OFFICE OF STUDENT AFFAIRS AND SERVICES

The Office of Student Affairs and Services provides a set of services concerned with students' academic support experiences to attain holistic student development based on CMO No. 9, Series of 2013. The College implements the following student services:

Section 1. Student Welfare Services

These are basic services and programs needed to ensure and promote the well-being of students. These include Information, Orientation and Awareness, Guidance and Counseling, Career and Placement, Economic Enterprise Development, and Student Handbook Development.

1.1 Information and Orientation Services

These are informative activities and materials designed to facilitate student adjustment to life in tertiary/higher education. This service consists of information materials on the institution's mission, vision and goals; academic rules and regulations; student conduct and discipline; student programs, services and facilities; and other information necessary for student development. It should be made available to all students. It also includes regular comprehensive orientation programs held for new and continuing students responsive to their needs, including orientation on the dynamics and nature of persons with disabilities, and relevant laws and policies affecting persons with disabilities.

An organized, updated, and readily available set of educational, career, and personal/social materials in different accessible formats are also provided to students. Information materials include statutes affecting students such as:

• R.A. 9262 or Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act
• Guidelines on drug abuse prevention and control
• R.A. 7877 or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995
• HIV and AIDS awareness
• Self-care and healthy lifestyles
• R.A. 9442, particularly on the provision on public ridicule and vilification against persons with disability

1.2 Guidance and Counseling Services

1. 1.2.1 Guidance Service — a set of services using an integrated approach to the development of well-functioning individuals primarily by helping them to utilize their potentials to the fullest.
2. 1.2.2 Counseling — individual or group intervention designed to facilitate positive change in student behavior, feelings, and attitudes.
3. 1.2.3 Appraisal — gathering of information about students through the use of psychological tests and non-psychometric devices.
4. 1.2.4 Follow-up — a system monitoring to determine the effectiveness of guidance activities, in general, and placement in particular.
5. 1.2.5 Referral — referring to a coordination multi-disciplinary team of specialists to ensure that special needs of students are met.

1.3 Career and Job Placement Services

These refer to assistance provided for vocational and occupational fitness and employment.

1.4 Economic Enterprise Development

This refers to services and programs that would cater to other needs of students such as, but not limited to, student cooperatives, entrepreneurial programs, income-generating projects, and savings.

1.5 Student Handbook Development

This refers to the development and/or updating of the student handbook for dissemination, information, and guidance of students and stakeholders.

Section 2. Student Development

These are programs and activities designed for the enhancement and deepening of leadership skills and social responsibility, which include student organizations and activities, professional organizations or societies, special interests, leadership training programs, student council/government, student discipline/government, student publication/media.

1. 2.1 Student Activities — supervision, recognition, and monitoring of student organizations and their activities such as leadership programs, student publication, student organizations, sports development, volunteerism, peer helper program, etc.
2. 2.2 Student Organizations and Activities — recognition/accreditation, supervision and monitoring of student groups including the evaluation of their activities.
3. 2.3 Leadership Training — programs and opportunities to develop and enhance leadership effectiveness at the personal level and in student organizations.
4. 2.4 Student Council/Government — the student body duly organized and elected at large by the students themselves, with due recognition and authority from the college, as the students' official representative in matters affecting them.
5. 2.5 Student Discipline — the judicious implementation of institutional rules and regulations governing student behavior and conduct.
6. 2.6 Student Publication/Yearbook — the official publication/organ/journal/yearbook and such other student-oriented print and non-print media of the College and/or school.

Section 3. Institutional Student Programs and Services

These are programs and activities offered by the college to facilitate the delivery of essential services to the students that include Admission, Scholarship and financial assistance, Food, Health and Security, Housing and Residential Services, Multi-faith, Foreign/International Students, services for students with special needs, and other programs such as culture and arts, sports, social and community involvement.

3.1 Admission Services

These are services that take care of the processing of students' entrance and requirements.

3.2 Services for Students with Special Needs and Persons with Disabilities

These are programs and activities designed to provide equal opportunities to persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, solo parents, etc. (academic accommodation for learners with special needs like left-handed students must be provided with an arm chair in the classroom suited to their condition).

3.3 Library Services

The Library, being the repository of knowledge of the college, provides and supports the instructional, research and curricular needs of students.

3.3.1 Library Policies, Rules and Regulations

1. 3.3.1.1 Library Hour — The library is open from Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
2. 3.3.1.2 Admission to the Library — All bona fide students, campus officials, faculty members, and employees of Sulu State College members and staff of other educational institutions, including private individuals, are granted permission by the librarian in using the library facilities.
3. 3.3.1.3 Requirements for Library Use — A student needs a duly registered School ID and Library card to be entitled to use the library facilities. The School ID is non-transferable and it should be worn at chest level upon entering the library. A student allowing another student or person to use his School ID and Library card in borrowing materials in the library will be deprived of such privileges.
4. 3.3.1.4 Outside Researchers — Walk-in researchers must present a registered ID and a referral letter from the librarians of their respective institutions.

3.4 Health Services

The College infirmary is headed by the College Physician who is in-charge of the health needs of students and College personnel and staff. The College Physician, with the Dentists and Nurses, conducts a medical-dental examination as a requirement prior to admission. Medical and dental consultation and treatment are provided daily. First dosage of medicines is given free as long as stocks are available. Dental extraction and prophylaxis are included in the dental services. The Medical Staff is readily available in cases of emergencies.

3.5 Multi-faith Services

This refers to the provision of an environment conducive to free expression of one's religious orientation in accordance with institutional principles and policies.

3.6 Student Housing and Residential Services

The College provides housing facilities which are well-equipped and maintained at an affordable price. A separate dormitory for male and female occupants is managed by dormitory matrons who supervise and extend counseling services to all dormitory occupants. This unit is also in charge of regular monitoring of private boarding houses outside the campus.

3.7 Food Services

The College leases spaces for canteens or cafeterias which provide meals, snacks, school supplies, and grocery items at reasonable prices. Through the Medical Unit, the College monitors the cleanliness and safety of the foods served at the different canteens. Food service personnel are also monitored through their health card issued by the Infirmary Office, which serves as a verification of their health status and fitness for work in food service environments.

3.8 Sports and Socio-Cultural Services

The College acknowledges the need of students to become physically and socially active and competent individuals through sports and socio-cultural activities. It implements programs and activities to ensure not only mental development of students but also their social, cultural, spiritual and physical growth and development.

3.9 Safety and Security Services

The Security Force provides safety and security to all students and College staff and personnel. It enforces traffic rules and regulations and maintains peace and order within the campus.

3.10 Social and Community Involvement Programs

These refer to programs and opportunities designed to develop social awareness, personal internalization, and meaningful contribution to nation-building.

3.11 Foreign/International Students Services

This refers to the provision of assistance to address the needs of foreign students.