The University boasts itself the three core values it instills in its institution: competence, commitment, and compassion. The 3Cs (or three core values) are known to be the strongest values Thomasians uphold to the people and communities they serve. And in the face of the pandemic, countless things have changed–from our daily lives, education, and perhaps even down to our perception of competence, commitment, and compassion.

The question is: has the University changed its approach with regards to its core values? Is it something that they still wholeheartedly adhere to or are these values merely just for the show?

Ever since the University has shifted into online classes, many Thomasians reached out their concerns not only about the transition but also with the mode of learning. Students as well as educators and staff practically earned a “moral and spiritual certificate” in the battle against COVID-19 in the “education front” but to what extent? The extent of sacrificing our welfare and quality education.

It can be said that both students and educators have had a difficult encounter with online learning. To face the truth, the country is not prepared to make online classes the most feasible nor as accessible as they want it to be. This unpreparedness could have been seen when universities opted to force a proper conclusion to the ongoing semester last March. Based on those three to four months alone, it should have been obvious that these issues need immediate attention especially when this setting will be used for schools and universities for the entire academic year.

From the intermittent internet connection to the varied yet inapt learning environments, online learning became a one big hurdle not only for the students but also to educators as well. What has the University done to address this? For its educators, to offer consideration in ways they can; for the student body, to learn and get by the semester; for student leaders, many letters of appeal, meetings, and negotiations. What about the administration? Letters of memorandum of all things of sorts.

From the most recent calamities, petitions, struggles in online classes, and injustices in the country, the Thomasian community waits for the administration’s response that is equipped with competence, commitment, and compassion.

There is no denying that the student body has been exceptional and wise in knowing their rights as students; something that the administration should learn from. From suspension of classes, published statements, to acting upon dissent in the presence of injustice and struggle. Instead, there are only announcements of suspension of work, delayed and demanded responses, and above all, the inadequate substantial resolve when it comes to properly addressing and hearing the qualms and concerns of the community.

It must reflect and properly exemplify its core values: competence through the quality of education it promises to deliver despite the presence of the pandemic; commitment its community — the academe, church, and country; and last but not the least, compassion, especially in the dark and difficult times each Thomasian faces amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Until then, we are only as great as our principles and the limitations we hold. We can rise from the ashes if we finally learn how to work collectively. Had we not learned in the stories of working collectively to justice, we wouldn’t have reached the justice we sought for.

This is an uphill battle that we must fight together as a community of individuals who liken themselves to the heroes and saints it looks up to. After all, there is only one enemy to fight here and it is the evils and terrors that linger in the face of the pandemic.