20 April 2021
Dear UP Diliman Students:
In the last few weeks, we have listened to appeals made in various media platforms for an easing of your academic workload this semester. We are aware of the impact of the pandemic’s alarming surge this year, as well as your hardships while pursuing a UP education remotely instead of in a physical campus. All of these may have contributed to the calls to cancel classes and relax school requirements.
Because of concern over the domino effect of another class suspension on an already tight school year, the University recommended to keep the original academic schedule.
I give you my assurance that UP Diliman is doing its best to respond to your needs, especially those who have been most affected. We know that many have been experiencing immense physical and mental difficulties, fear, loss, isolation, grief, financial pressure, and various other stresses and uncertainties. This is why, as we continue with the semester, students and faculty must strive to make our “classrooms” not only spaces for academic practice but opportunities for connection and meaningful engagement, for communicating care and building a sense of community.
To this end, UP Diliman will set up additional support programs for students and faculty in need while continuing our existent support services. Kindly follow our updates here and help disseminate the information so that these services may reach those who are in need of them:
1. For those in need of an isolation facility (for mild, asymptomatic, and/or no comorbidities), the UP Diliman isolation facilities at Silungang Molave and Kamia will prioritize students, staff and faculty. Details about free swab tests for symptomatic and close-contact exposure may contact Silungang Molave (89818500 loc. 4611).
2. For free telemedicine consultations and mental health/psychiatric consultation for students, staff, faculty, and dependents, appointments with the University Health Service may be done remotely through https://uphs.appointlet.com/.
You may also call (89818500 loc. 2702) or email (uhs.updiliman@up.edu.ph) to avail of other services such as free medicines for emergency cases; free lab tests (CBC, urinalysis, x-ray); for urgent cases and discounts on specialized tests; and free tetanus toxoid vaccination.
3. For psychotherapy and mental health and psychosocial support services, you may reach out to UPD PsycServ (psycserv.upd@up.edu.ph, 09167573157). For stress management, academic/career counseling, and psychosocial support, you may forward your concerns to the UPD Office of Counseling and Guidance (ocg.updiliman@up.edu.ph). Additionally, UPD Ugnayan ng Pahinungod offers online peer-to-peer support services (psppahinungod.upd@up.edu.ph).
4. For students who need financial assistance, they may inquire about scholarships and grant programs, student loans, and part-time work through student and graduate assistantships from the Office of Scholarships and Grants (osg.upd@up.edu.ph).
OSG also processes claims for GSIS insurance for free tuition grantees and provides financial assistance for medical expenses through the Financial Assistance for Student Contingencies Program (FASCP).
5. For guidance on university services, policies, and processes, the AskUPD Student Helpdesk (ask.upd@up.edu.ph) online community (http://bit.ly/kapitlapit) have also been established as a one-stop center for student concerns.
We also encourage you to communicate as openly as possible with your professors and college-based student support offices (e.g. Associate Deans for Student Affairs, Offices of Student Affairs) for your needs and concerns, academic or otherwise. Similarly, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (ovcsa.upd@up.edu.ph) will always be open to receiving your concerns or grievances, should you need advice on your circumstances.
I believe that together, we can prevail and safely reach the second-semester finish line. The journey won’t be easy, given the persistent difficulties we still face, but UP Diliman will be with you all the way!
Patuloy tayong magtulungan. Pag-ingatan ang sarili at ang isa’t isa.
Fidel Nemenzo, DSc
Chancellor
University of the Philippines Diliman