F2F Thomasians laud new entrance regulations
By Ian Patrick Laqui
Thomasians who hold their classes in the face-to-face setup applauded the new regulations for entering the University.
This follows the announcement of the new health protocols released on Thursday, Sept. 1, which now allows students to enter through any gate in the University.
Students in their face-to-face classes, who mostly hail from the Faculty of Pharmacy (FoP), College of Science (CoS), and the College of Rehabilitation Sciences (CRS), formerly have designated entrance and exit gates nearest their respective buildings in order to “prevent exposure from other colleges and ensure proper movement of students.”
Ida, a fourth-year student from CRS, who preferred entering the gates in España, said the new entrance regulations will be “better” and “safer” for it will be more convenient rather than walking into the Dapitan gate to enter.
“Nakakapagod yung ang haba ng iniikot para lang makapasok school and para makauwi and parang mas safe kasi hapon natatapos class ko. Minsan medyo madilim na tapos ang haba ng nilalakad,” she said in an interview with TomasinoWeb.
Another student from CoS echoed the statement of Ida, emphasizing the student’s safety amid the alleged crime incidents happening around the university belt.
“It [is] better this way kasi ang hirap nga naman maglakad para umikot and makapasok sa designated gates. It [is] considerate din for students na kinakabahan for their safety lalo na at rampant yung crimes around Manila including the outside of UST premises,” Hannah Gasmen, a student from CoS, said.
“Ang mahalaga sa akin ay ‘yung makapasok ‘yung mga students na gusto dumaan sa loob ng University kasi mas safe ‘yun.” she added.
A “wise decision” said Kyle Jusayan, a first-year student from the FoP. Like Ida, she cited the efficiency in walking toward their respective buildings.
“The University made a wise decision by recognizing the students’ urge to freely enter any gate in UST. Since the majority of students live in the four corners of UST, it would be more efficient and time-saving for them to enter through a gate close to where they live,” Jusayan said.
The health protocols in the University are adjusted depending on the alert level the InterAgency Task Force imposed on the country.
For the month of October, students that will have in-person classes will increase, following the recent approval of the University Crisis Management Committee to conduct limited face-to-face classes in some programs from the Faculty of Arts and Letters.
