Far Eastern University Central Student Organization (FEUCSO) and Institute Student Councils on Monday released an appeal to Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Maria Teresa Trinidad P. Tinio, following the extension of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Greater Manila Area.

Citing the government’s shortcomings in addressing the pandemic, the letter stated “These, in turn, have further exacerbated the already tough and grueling physical and social conditions experienced and endured by students and faculties with the continuance of online classes.”

The requests found in the statement are: suspension of synchronous and asynchronous classes for all modalities, suspension of deadlines of submission for the duration of ECQ, a one-week extension after the lifting of ECQ, faculty members should be advised to accept late submissions without deductions, and reduction or recalibration of academic workload. 

Acknowledging the possibility of another ECQ extension, FEUCSO also proposed the reinstatement of the guidelines for In Progress due to Quarantine (IPQ) grades that were used during the second semester of Academic Year 2019-2020, but later abolished in the following semester. 

Recognizing the efforts of the University in addressing concerns, the request further said, “...it should be noted that this initiative could not be made a reality if a conducive environment and an inclusive academic approach were not proactively provided.”

The highest student government urged the FEU administration for the approval of their request as the University has already taken actions previously to attend to the requests of its students.

As of writing, University of Santo Tomas (UST) already announced the suspension of classes and office work until Sunday, April 11.

The Department of Health (DOH) recently logged a record-high 15,310 new COVID-19 cases last April 2, and 12,576 new confirmed cases the following day—prompting the national government to extend the strictest quarantine measure within ‘National Capital Region (NCR) Plus’ bubble.

-Antonio Luis Carreon