RECOGNIZED. UP Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral sa Komunikasyon (SAMASKOM) President Agnes Mampusti and other members receive their org's Certificate of Recognition from CMC College Secretary Danilo Arao on July 12. SAMASKOM is one of the 14 organizations recognized by the college this year. (Franz Jonathan de la Fuente)

The fourteen CMC-recognized organizations for AY 2010-2011 received their Certificate of Recognition from Prof. Danilo Arao, CMC college secretary last Monday during a short program at the college lobby.

The organizations are entitled to four hours free use of the auditorium and another four hours use of rooms in the college. The recognition also guarantees the org a tambayan.

Arao said that the one tambayan costs P60,000. He also encouraged the students to donate if they can to aid the university’s problem of lack of facilities.

He said inasmuch as orgs have to find ways to finance themselves, Arao urged organizations to reconsider fighting for state subsidy, as UP was not rich, “unlike that other school across Katipunan.”

After the program, CMCSC chairperson Sherwin Su convened the org heads and distributed the newly constructed tambayans.

Su said that the basis for the distribution of tambayans were the organizations’ contribution to the college, track record and involvement in the freshmen block handling. The tambayans were clustered according to the organization’s department (Broadcast Communication, Communication Research Film, Journalism,)

CMCSC promised to provide DZUP Radio Circle, Interdependent Student-Centered Activism, Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP CMC, UP Circle of Research Enthusiasts and UP PR + Advertising Society their tambayans as soon as possible. The film basement and media center are the areas under consideration.

The council said that orgs could still use the common areas around the college like Batibot for their regular meetings.

College of Mass Communication (CMC) secretary Lourdes Portus suggested Tuesday the purchase of seven “kubo” (huts) as temporary substitute for tambayans during the first Faculty-Student Relations Committee (FSRC) meeting.

Portus, also the chair of the FSRC, said that the administration would try to purchase the huts to address the continuing plea of the student organizations for tambayans. She also mentioned that they get complaints from professors about students blocking passageways in CMC such as the staircases and corridors.

Estimated at P30,000, one hut can accommodate two organizations, the college secretary said. Portus suggested that the council and organizations raise funds for the purchase of more huts if the seven that the administration is willing to provide will not suffice.

Some student organization representatives said the administration could just add the money for the huts to the money needed for the construction of the permanent structure of the tambayans. But Portus replied that even if the money for the huts is added to the existing capital for tambayan construction, the amount needed to build the tambayan complex is still inadequate.

CMC chairperson Rupert Mangilit said he still prefer a more permanent structure or the tambayan complex for the organizations. For the meantime, if the organizations clamor for a place to stay for comfort’s sake, he is willing to push through with the proposal.

“What’s important is that the students have their own space,” said Mangilit in an interview with Tinig Ng Plaridel. “Now if they still need additional units, maybe we could work together to lobby for it.”

He also said that communication with the college administration regarding the construction of tambayans, such as asking for updates, would still be continued.

“Let’s not allow them to be complacent that just because they provided [organizations] with huts, they wouldn’t push through with the plan of the [Office of the Campus Architect]. First, there’s already a plan. Second, there’s already funding so what’s their excuse not to do it?” said Mangilit.

He added that in the event the huts are no longer needed in lieu of the permanent tambayans, spaces in the complex can be given to recognized organizations while the huts can be used by students and unrecognized organizations.

Mangilit said that he will discuss these matters with CMC Dean Roland Tolentino on the 22nd or 23rd.

Room M201, the former tambayan complex was transformed into a classroom in 2007. Moreover, the tambayans in the building between CMC and Media Center were also deconstructed in 2007. A room in this building is now the student council office and another room is allotted for the lockers of the organizations.