Newsletter

July 25, 2020July 26, 2020

CNU’s instructional delivery mode is evidence-informed

The decision of Cebu Normal University (CNU) to adopt the Flexible Teaching and Learning Delivery as its instructional delivery mode this upcoming opening of classes is evidence-informed.

This is what Vice-President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Daisy Palompon said.

Read related article: [CNU adopts flexible teaching and learning delivery]

She said that the decision came out from the surveys and series of consultations with student leaders, faculty, parents, alumni, and partner agencies which the University conducted last April to May 2020 as part of the scenario analysis that led to the reframing of the University’s teaching and learning.

Palompon also said that the decision was not solely decided upon by the Administrative Council but also by the Academic Council of the University and approved by the CNU Board of Regents.

The undergraduates are given online and offline distance learning options, while the Integrated Laboratory School (ILS) and Graduate School (GS) will be using online distance learning for the upcoming school year.

“However, the ILS is not purely online as there are more sessions on asynchronous learning,” Palompon said referring to the textbooks that are available also as reference for learning.

She said that for ILS, a consultation with the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) through Mr. Renan Elcullada, ILS Supervisor was conducted. A proposal on the mode of learning the parents wish to have for their children was then submitted to the University through the Administrative Council.

She said that as for GS, the online mode was already implemented starting March 2020 when classes were suspended due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

“Most of the GS students are part-time students since their mainline is their respective work and most of the students are also outside Cebu City,” she said.

“The online learning will address their needs to continue advanced education while on their current location and travel would not be needed,” Palompon added.

Palompon also confirmed that the GS is also open to students across the country since the classes will be conducted online.

“The online mode of learning is implemented while the circumstances will not allow us to have face-to-face classes especially in the ILS. For the GS, our long-term plan is to really offer purely online programs so that students will still have options whether they will go for synchronous or asynchronous learning platforms,” she said.

“There is what we call as finding the silver lining despite all the chaos we are in. It has been our plan in the University to institutionalize the blended and pure online learning platform to cater to the current learning needs and styles of our new generation of learners. We have started doing it, but we were cautious in fully implementing it,” Palompon said.

She said that the crisis we are in provides the urgency to put these plans in place for actual implementation. (JDF)

July 19, 2020July 22, 2020

Longest-serving loyalty awardee retires with good goodbyes

“Thank you to all the people who have touched my life. You have made a mark in my heart.”

This is what Atty. Dominiciana J. Bandala, Cebu Normal University (CNU) Vice President for Administration and Chief Administrative Officer-Administration said as part of her parting message as a retiree after serving in the University for 41 years.

Read related article: [Golden years of public service]

A virtual program called Salamat Mabuhay was held on Friday, July 17, to show gratitude for the long period she has served in the University which contributed to the growth of CNU and the entire Normalite community.

The online gathering was organized by the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) in collaboration with the Information Communications Technology Office (ICTO) of the University.

The event was attended by current and former members of the CNU Administrative Council and administrative personnel.

To show their appreciation and gratitude to the retiree, messages and presentations including song and dance numbers were rendered by various members of the CNU community whom Bandala has considered her colleagues, friends, and family.

Dr. Filomena T. Dayagbil, CNU President, likened Bandala to a strong pillar of the University who has the ability and strength to support the structure to keep the University upright and intact.

Dayagbil said that the retirement of Bandala has given mixed feelings of emptiness for the void that she will be leaving behind and at the same time, gratefulness for the things she has done for the University.

Bandala has assisted in the infrastructure project pursuits of the University like the Teaching Arts Centrum (TAC) building, University library, the soon to be completed Academic Center for Arts and Sciences Building, and more, Dayagbil said.

Bandala was the first loyalty awardee of the University who received a gold ring for reaching 35 years of government service. She also received another gold ring after serving 40 years in CNU. She is also the first Authorized Officer (AO) designated by Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the first administrative staff to be designated as Vice President for Administration (VPA), and the first CNU employee to be given a Salamat Mabuhay online retirement program.

She considers these as four historical events in the University where she had the privilege of enjoying first.

“As I embark on a new chapter of my life as a retiree, I hope the friendship I have developed in Cebu Normal University will continue in the future. I will surely miss being a part of the CNU team.” Bandala said.

She started serving in CNU in 1979 as an Accountant. She then rose from the ranks as a Budget Officer, Financial Management Officer, Administrative Officer, Chief Administrative Officer before being designated as Vice President for Administration.

Bandala was given a plaque for her valuable contribution to the growth of CNU in sustaining excellence and cultivating significance. (JDF)

June 8, 2020July 1, 2020

CNU holds its first webinar series in preparation for the ‘new normal’

Cebu Normal University (CNU) successfully held its first Innovative Flex Learning Online Academic Training (iFLOAT) webinar series in preparation for the new normal in higher education.

The first phase of The Webinar Series on Synchronous and Asynchronous Teaching and Learning (T-L) for CNU Faculty Members was held on May 29 to June 5.

Read related article: [CNU to conduct 1st webinar series]

“The first phase of the webinar series is so beneficial to all educators in facing the new normal in education. The approaches on module development and the different online teaching-learning platforms discussed are of great help and guide to teachers,” Dr. Niña Jen Canayong, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) faculty said.

Ms. Baby Jane Uytico, Integrated Laboratory School (ILS) faculty said that the webinar series truly upskilled and rewired the faculty members to fully equip them as front-liners in education.

The first phase of the iFLOAT was composed of four-part series.

The first webinar took place on May 29 focusing on Flexible Learning: An Approach to Module Development with Dr. Reynaldo Inocian, Institute for Research in Innovative Instructional Delivery Director as its speaker and Dr. Eva Marie Gacasan, Psychology Department Chair as the facilitator.

The second webinar happened on June 3 which tackled on Google Classroom as Online T-L Platform with Ms. Flora Mae Rivera, Monitoring and Evaluation Focal Person as the speaker with Dr. Carlou John Letigio, CNU Balamban Campus faculty and Mr. Omar Roma, Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) Head as the facilitators.

The third webinar was held on June 4 with the topic on Interactive Module Development with Dr. Michelle Mae Olvido, University and Board Secretary as the speaker and Dr. Laurence Garcia, Center for Research and Development Director as the facilitator.

The fourth webinar followed on June 5 with the discussion on Neo LMS as Online T-L Platform with Mr. Isidro Max Alejandro, College of Teacher Education (CTE) faculty as the speaker and Dr. Catalina Canasa, Learning and Development Focal Person as the facilitator.

“It seems like we will be facing a difficult journey ahead but what is important and more rewarding is that we are doing this for our students,” Ms. Joana Mariz Castillo, College of Nursing (CN) faculty said.

She said that the Nursing curriculum has a unique component on related learning experience which consists of skills on laboratory and clinical duty. She said that pure online learning may not suffice to measure the learning outcomes of the said component. She said that face-to-face interaction is still required to evaluate certain skills.

“Though online platforms may help in some ways but the difficulty truly lies in the validity of measuring the learning outcomes of the psychomotor domain,” Castillo said.

“We acknowledge the reality that equipment, access, and the expertise to become abreast with technology is a challenge but the commitment of the leaders of our institution together with the internal wealth of experts provide us all with a sense of hope [in] this upcoming academic year,” Ms. Christise Espera, CTE faculty said.

“The second phase will further the preparation of CNU educators. I am grateful that I belong to a University with a heart for its teachers, learners, as well as for learning and innovation,” Uytico added.

The iFLOAT has three phases and will continue in the coming months in preparation for the upcoming academic year. A recorded version of the webinar series may be viewed at the CNU Public Information Office (PIO) official YouTube account of the University. (JDF)

May 8, 2020May 8, 2020

CNU decides to end the current school semester

Cebu Normal University (CNU) has decided to end the current school semester heeding the majority of its student’s call as indicated in the University’s Strategic Action amid Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Modified Academic Plan (MAP).

Read: [CNU Strategic Actions Amid COVID-19]

The CNU Supreme Student Council (SSC) conducted a General Contingency Survey last April 21 to 24, 2020 which was answered by 1,952 students. A total of 88.9 percent of the respondents were in favor of ending the semester.

After successive deliberations of the CNU Administrative and Academic Councils, CNU’s strategic action plan was approved by the CNU Board of Regents (BOR) on April 29, 2020 and was released to the public last May 4, 2020 through its Public Information Office (PIO) Facebook account.

CNU decided to end the second semester of A.Y. 2019-2020 indicating that there will be no final examinations but would not go about the mass promotion where all students are considered passed without submitting some requirements. The students are still required to complete academic requirements to justify their grades.

As stipulated on the action plan, students are given three weeks (after the ECQ is lifted on May 15) to finalize and submit their school requirements. A No Grade (NG) will be given to students who cannot submit within the given grace period however, they are given a year to comply with the requirements given by their teachers.

“The University Administration ensures continuity and sustainability of its operations without sacrificing the well-being of the students, employees and other stakeholders in this time of pandemic,” CNU President Dr. Filomena Dayagbil said in her message to the CNU family.

“We are called to rise above these unprecedented challenges and continue to nurture dreams… As one family, let us continue to work together in these difficult times,” she said.

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman J. Prospero de Vera III said in an interview last April that he will leave the decision to the universities and colleges to implement the mass promotion policy for the students as an exercise of academic freedom given the different institutions’ capacities.

Faye Andrea Francisco, Bachelor of Science (BS) Nursing 2 student expressed that she appreciates and respects the decision of the Admin Council, but wished for the mass promotion policy to be granted since there are a minority of the students who have a hard time in passing the requirements due to various personal reasons.

Julie Pearl Palicte, Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEEd) 4 student said that it would be easier for the students if the mass promotion policy was implemented “but knowing CNU, they would never let us go the easy way and would never compromise the quality of graduates they will produce.”

“I think it’s a fair deal. Under the uncontrollable circumstance we are all facing, many of us if not all are battling anxiety. Our retention of knowledge is greatly affected thus making us unable to properly learn and understand what we supposedly want to,” Paula Jen Louisse Cabatingan, Diploma for Professional Education (DPE) student said.

“I must say that it is being crafted good [sic] enough to promote measures wherein the varied concerns of the stakeholders are well represented with favorable considerations. Further, this serves as the middle ground for us as far as the extent of academic freedom and public safety is concerned,” Jeson Bustamante, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) faculty said.

“By not having mass promotion, we are giving value to the efforts of our students who really complied with the course requirements. No matter how limited the resources, most of our students really did submit their outputs. And ending the semester is just the most humane thing to do because we have to prioritize not only the physical health but also the mental health of both our students and faculty. Besides, our students already have grades in the midterm and we cannot just disregard it and give a uniform rating,” Monique Cordova, Integrated Laboratory School (ILS) faculty said.

“CNU’s decision shows a lot of respect for academic freedom. It places the decision to promote students on the capacity of its faculty to assess their readiness to proceed to the next course… I just hope our students understand that they cannot proceed to the next course half-baked,” Nigel Glenn Javier, College of Teacher Education (CTE) faculty said.

Javier said that students’ genuine love for learning must prevail. (JDF)

March 20, 2020May 14, 2020

CNU employees work from home amid possible COVID-19 local outbreak

Cebu Normal University (CNU) employees were mandated to work from home after classes in all levels were suspended and a state of general community quarantine by the Cebu City Government due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was declared.

The Work from Home Arrangement has been authorized by CNU President Dr. Filomena Dayagbil through CNU Memo No. 454, s. 2020 allowing employees; permanent, casual, and clerical job order to work from home starting last Thursday, March 19.

Personnel from the security, general and maintenance services are exempted, and are asked to report still on a rotational basis.

The memo states that the Work from Home Arrangement has been made considering that most non-teaching staff commute from their homes going to the University. A modified alternative work will be adopted by the non-teaching staff to continue the delivery of public service.

“We thank Dr. Dayagbil for thinking of the welfare of CNU employees and for making sure that support is still there in this time of uncertainty,” Mary Blaise Aniñon, RN, International Focal Person of the External Affairs and International Linkages (EAIL) Office said.

“In this time of crisis, empathy, compassion, and swift action are what we need,” she said.

“I also pledge to do my part as an employee and as a citizen by following protocols, disseminating accurate and truthful information, washing my hands, and practicing social distancing.” she added.

CNU Human Resource Management Officer (HRMO) Mrs. Mary Margaret Cornejo said that the CNU Administrative Council, spearheaded by Dr. Dayagbil values and understands the employees most especially at this very critical time.

Employees were ensured that their pay will not be affected. In fact, the salary for the second half of March will be released not later than March 20, 2020.

“All permanent, casual, job order, and agency-based employees of CNU will still receive their monthly salaries despite the implementation of the flexi schedule and work from home,” Cornejo said.

She said that the Accounting Office and HRMO will continue to work closely for the timely release of salaries.

Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella has issued an Executive Order (EO) No. 052, s. 2020 placing the entire Cebu City under a state of general community quarantine from March 16, 2020 to April 14, 2020 with the increasing COVID-19 cases. He strongly advised Cebuanos to stay at home. (JDF)

August 29, 2019June 11, 2020

Cebu Normal University Hosts the 2019 PCOO Roadshows and Campus Caravan

(Left to right) OIC Head of Cebu City Treasurer’s Office Atty. Jerome Castillo, Undersecretary and Executive Director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security Joel Sy Egco, CNU President Dr. Filomena T. Dayagbil, PCOO Assistant Secretary and FOI Program Director Atty. Kristian R. Ablan, and PCOO Office of Brand Integration Chief of Staff Karl Fajardo. / Photo by Mechelle Canoy

Cebu Normal University (CNU) hosted the 2019 PCOO (Presidential Communications Operations Office) Roadshow and Campus Caravan which aimed at propagating the Freedom of Information (FOI) Program of the Administration on August 27, 2019.

The FOI Program is an initiative of the government to enable the public to access government data or information. This was implemented in 2016 by virtue of Executive Order (EO) No. 2, series of 2016 by President Rodrigo R. Duterte. The FOI program is used for transparency in government offices, accountability in public officials, academic research, and innovation of programs and projects.

The multisectoral roadshow, which took place in the morning, was attended by different sectors including national and local government units, civil society organizations, non-government organizations, academe, and the media. Topics covered discussions on FOI, Safeguarding Press Freedom in the Philippines, and Rehabinasyon; a program related to anti-illegal drugs.

The FOI Campus Caravan followed in the afternoon which was attended mainly by CNU educators and students. It focused merely on Freedom of Information and on how this initiative of the government can be an essential tool for academic research that students may be able to utilize.

FOI Program Director Atty. Kristian Ablan discussing the FOI program of the government. / *Photo by Mechelle Canoy*

According to Atty. Kristian Alban, PCOO Assistant Secretary and FOI Program Director, “Government is a rich source of information that you can use to improve your life.” He said that what we read and search online may not be true and FOI may help verify it.

The request may be done two ways: the standard way where one is asked to fill out a request form in paper; and through the eFOI portal. The general public can now request information, public records, data sets, and official records from the 452 participating government agencies for free. A certain amount will only be charged if the requesting party wants the document to be printed out and delivered by mail. The standard transaction period takes 15 working days. The average period is seven working days but depending on the complexity of the document requested, it may take longer.

ASec Ablan and President Dayagbil sign the Memorandum of Understanding between PCOO and Cebu Normal University with CNU Office of the Student Affairs Dean Gwendelina Villarante as witness. / *Photo by Mechelle Canoy*

During the campus caravan, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the PCOO and Cebu Normal University was signed. This MOU requires the university to intensify its information dissemination drive on the FOI program including teaching it to the students in varying levels, empowering the library staff to assist on FOI related concerns, and designating an FOI student ambassador among others.

CNU Supreme Student Council (SSC) President Neil Joseph Iyog, was appointed as the FOI Student Ambassador of CNU. He urged his fellow Normalites “to be vigilant, engaged, have the initiative to be watchful of our government’s actions.” He also added to always advocate for a government that puts the people first. Iyog ended his speech by stating “it is in being informed we are empowered.”

CNU FOI student ambassador and SSC President Neil Joseph Iyog, Dean Villarante, ASec Ablan, and President Dayagbil sign the freedom wall in support of the government’s FOI program. / *Photo by Mechelle Canoy*

The caravan ended by the signing of FOI Freedom wall signifying everybody’s commitment to support the FOI program of the government. (JDF)

The celebration of the 116th CNU Foundation