STUDENT ASSOCIATION

The Central Student Government of the Adventist University of the Philippines

Adventist University of the Philippines
Puting Kahoy, Silang, Cavite 4118
Tel. No. (049) 541-1211 local 223
Fax: (49) 541-1228

A LETTER URGING THE NORTH PHILIPPINE UNION CONFERENCE EXECUTIVE

COMMITTEE TO RECOGNIZE THE RIGHT OF THE STUDENTS TO BE
REPRESENTED IN THE ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES BOARD
OF TRUSTEES PURSUANT TO CHED MEMORANDUM 21 SERIES OF 2006
SECTION 33.2.1

December 17, 2010

Members, Executive Committee

North Philippine Union Conference
of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

Greetings! The Adventist University of the Philippines – Student Association would like to
congratulate you on your election into the sacred work entrusted to you by our God. It is our
prayer and hope that you may lead God’s people until Jesus comes again.

Our letter pertains to the upcoming election of the AUP Constituency and Board of Trustees. The
students of our University would like to participate and be represented in this process through its
duly elected representative which is the Student Association, the central student government of
the University as defined by CHED Memorandum Order 21 Series of 2006 Section 23.

In line with this, we are urging the North Philippine Union Conference Executive Committee to
elect the Student Association President:

1. As one of the fifteen (15) additional members of the AUP Constituency pursuant to
Article I Section 1 of the 2009 AUP By-Laws; and
2. As one of the fifteen (15) members of the AUP Board of Trustees pursuant to Article
I Section 2 of the 2009 AUP By-Laws.

The bases for these assertions are:

1. Constitutional mandate. Article II Section 13 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution

stipulated that “The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and
shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-
 being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their
involvement in public and civic affairs.”

2. Legal mandate. CHED Memorandum Order 21 Series of 2006 Section 33.2.1 stated that
the “HEI (e.g. AUP) must recognize the right of the students to govern themselves and to
be represented in appropriate student councils, or board of regents or trustees.”

3. A Bill of Rights for Students in SDA Schools. The 2008 AUP Student Handbook Rule
II Section 2.a. pointed out that each student in an SDA School has the inalienable right
and privilege to be recognized as a person. As such, “the student as an individual has
certain legal rights and responsibilities.” Then Section 2.c. stressed out that each
student in an SDA School has the inalienable right and privilege to think and speak
creatively and constructively. As such, “he or she exercises the power to think and to
speak, in expressing his or her thoughts in a manner that constructs or builds the
society where he or she lives.”

4. Legal rights. The 2008 AUP Student Handbook Rule I Section 1.g. clearly said that the
student has “the right to have free expression of opinions and suggestions, and to avail of
effective channels of communication with the appropriate academic and administrative
bodies of the school” as guaranteed by Section 2, Rule II on Rights, of the Education Act
of 1982.

5. University Mission Statement. “The Adventist University of the Philippines exists to

provide quality Christian education that facilitates the growth of student so that they may
lead lives that are personally satisfying and may contribute to the welfare of the church
and the society that sustain them.”

6. The purpose and existence of the Student Association. The Student Association is
mandated by its Constitution to “protect and promote student rights and fundamental
freedoms and enhance the dignity of individuals and groups, ensure clear student access
to the issues and programs of the University, and provide a link between the Student body
and the University Administration, by ensuring that the voice of the student body is heard
by the Administration” pursuant to Article III Section 2.g., 2.f., and 2.i., respectively.

With these assertions, the Student Association strongly believes that the students must be
represented by the Student Association President in the highest policy-making body in the
University which is the Board of Trustees pursuant to Article III Section 1 of the 2009 AUP By-
Laws.

Then, according to Article V Section 1 of the 2009 AUP By-Laws: “There shall be an Executive
Committee of the Board (EXCOM) to consist of eleven members of the Board of Trustees,
SSD Education Director, faculty and student representatives and regular invitees as said Board
may designate, which shall exercise such powers between the meetings of the Board of
Trustees.”
However, the Student Association is not aware that there is a student representative in the
EXCOM or an invitation to attend the meeting of the EXCOM has not been given since the
enactment of the 2009 AUP By-Laws. Furthermore, the Student Association understood that the
students’ right to be represented is not only in membership to the EXCOM but in the BOT as
well.

Lastly, the Student Association would like to state that the Autonomous Status granted to AUP
by CHED does not mean exemption from CHED rules and regulations such as administrative but
is limited in academic related activities.

With this we are urging the North Philippine Union Conference Executive Committee to
recognize the right of the students to be represented in the Adventist University of the
Philippines Board of Trustees pursuant to CHED Memorandum 21 Series of 2006 Section
33.2.1.

Copies of this letter shall be distributed to the following offices: North Philippine Union
Conference, Regional Director of the Commission on Higher Education IV-A, Office of the
University President, Office of the Vice-President for Student Affairs, President of the Student
Association, Presidents of EASNAC and AWESNA, and The University Voice.

We hope for your consideration of this matter. May God abundantly bless you.

Yours in the Service of the Adventist Youth,

MS. LADY CHRISTIFANIE T. MATAYA MR. RYAN J. MARTINEZ

President Vice President

Noted by:

MR. NEPTHALI MARTICIO

Adviser