By Shane Vallery A. Beduya

In light of the planned face-to-face classes, Far Eastern University (FEU) Academic Affairs Office (AAO) issued the guidelines for the second semester classes of the school year 2021-2022 today, February 7.

In accordance with the previous announcement of FEU Central Student Organization (FEUCSO) last February 1, the guidelines released by AAO states that in-person classes for third-year to fifth-year students, Art Appreciation, and Readings in Philippine History courses will be allowed but will follow a blended learning format.

Blended learning means that the designated classes for students will have one online and one on-site class per week. Although, the guidelines specified that other classes including laboratory, production, Related Learning Experience (RLE) classes, and On-the-job (OJT) classes will follow special arrangements which shall be managed by the programs concerned.

For third-year classes, Art Appreciation or Readings in Philippine History classes, face-to-face meetings are scheduled every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. On the other hand, the said batch will be online every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Meanwhile, face-to-face classes for fourth-year and fifth-year classes, as well as the other Art Appreciation or Readings in Philippine History classes, are scheduled every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Likewise, the online meeting for this batch will be every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

The university affirmed that it will follow a strict on-site policy wherein only vaccinated faculty, students, non-teaching personnel, and guests may enter the campus. This is in compliance with the guidelines on the implementation of limited face-to-face classes that was issued by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Health (DOH).

Standard classes will have 35 to 40 students and there will be a primary and a secondary classroom assigned for each section. Inside the classroom, a maximum of only 20 students are allowed and a 1.5-meter distance between seats will be followed for social distancing.

For those students who will choose to remain in the online set-up, FEU assured that activities in both primary and secondary classrooms can be observed via MS Teams since each classroom will be equipped with a laptop with LAN and WiFi connections, a camera, a microphone, and speakers. At the same time, students who will be on-site can engage in discussions and activities. 

Aside from this, computers with WiFi connections will be available for the perusal of students and faculty who have both face-to-face classes and online classes on the same day.

While attendance in face-to-face classes is not mandatory for students, the university highly encourages students to attend on-site classes. 

“Face-to-face classes offer a good environment for student-centered learning and a good environment for them to generate and share their ideas, thoughts, and questions,” the guidelines issued by FEU Academic Affairs Office read.

FEU clarified that there will still be no-checking of attendance for FEU students in consideration of the limitations on WiFi connectivity, and the challenges brought by the pandemic that hindered efficient mobility and easy transportation around the city. 

However, FEU faculty are required to attend all of their face-to-face and online classes and are expected to be on time.

The guidelines stated that in the post-pandemic period, the real “new normal” arrangements will follow the blended learning format and are looking into continuing the no-attendance check policy of students even after the pandemic.