The Office of the Secretary-General (OSG) and the Office for the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs (OVRAA) denied the academic ease request of the Central Student Council (CSC) Central Board, the CSC announced on Friday, Oct. 13.

CSC initially asked for temporary shift to Enriched Virtual Mode (EVM) for all colleges and faculties, including Junior and Senior High School from Oct.16 to 17, citing the impending transport strike on Monday, Oct. 16, and “numerous students who expressed great concern for their health and safety.”

The OVRAA and the OSG declined their request for academic ease due to prior suspensions and said that there are only two weeks left before Undas Break.

“Teaching and learning in the University have been affected by several disruptions, primarily to onsite classes and assessments. At least six class days have passed due to national holidays… inclement weather, and reported poor air quality,” the offices told the CSC Central Board.

The University, however, extended the Undas Break to eight days starting on Oct. 30 to Nov. 6.

Following the offices’ decision on their plea for academic ease, the CSC urged the Thomasians to get in touch with the council and its representatives if they continued to experience health and other concerns.

Shift to EVM during Transport Strike

Meanwhile, the OSG announced on Friday afternoon that work arrangements and classes will shift to EVM, synchronous or asynchronous, in line with the impending transport strike on Monday, Oct. 16.

Transport group Malayang Alyansa ng Bus Employees at Laborers (Manibela) said last Oct. 9, that they will have a transport strike, citing the suspension plea on the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program.

This is the second transportation strike held this year. Last March 2, the University also announced the shift to EVM and suspension of onsite classes from March 6 to 12 due to the transport unions’ declaration of a supposed week-long nationwide transport strike that only lasted for a day after Palace talks.