Proposal for the Freshmen Committee By Ma.

Regina Punzalan Description of the Committee The Freshmen Committee is one of the 13 special standing committees of the University Student Council which focuses on addressing the issues encountered by freshmen in the university. It is dedicated to providing effective services not just to freshmen but to all entry-level students of the university. Rationale In line with the University Student Councils objective to develop a sense of service and responsibility among the students for the welfare of the society, freshmen and other entry-level students in the university shall be given a special attention so that they could take active involvement in the campaigns and activities forwarded by the university as early as their freshman year. The Freshmen Committee shall introduce the students to UP culture and inculcate in them the sense of being Iskolar ng Bayan through relevant activities. This committee shall address the issues concerning the freshmen and provide efficient services to help them throughout their freshie life. Vision A committee that is in full service to the students to serve as a guide in their freshman year and to empower them to take active involvement in the development of the university and the country. Mission 1. Address the needs and concerns of the students particularly the freshmen 2. Develop political awareness and instill national consciousness among the freshmen 3. Strengthen existing institutions and maximize present mechanisms to mobilize the student body in advancing relevant campaigns 4. Assist in the holistic development of the freshmen Objectives This year, the Freshmen Committee shall serve as the liaison between the freshmen of the university and the USC and it shall always strive to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) Familiarize the freshmen to campus life; Provide efficient and effective service to the students; Keep the freshmen informed of the issues inside and outside the university; Safeguard the rights and interests of the freshmen; Involve the whole university in guiding the freshmen in the course of their freshie life; Encourage the freshmen to participate in the events of the university; Cultivate the students as catalysts for national progress.

Committee Structure The Freshmen Committee would coordinate and work hand in hand with other USC committees, USC VolCorps, UP organizations, local college councils, other student formations and the UP admin to bring service to the freshmen and inculcate in them the sense of being isko and iska. It shall also collaborate with University Freshmen Council and assist in addressing their concerns. Proposed committee structure:

Head

University Freshman Council

Logistics and Publicity Officer

Marketing and Finance Officer

External Affairs Officer

Internal Affairs Officer

I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

Committee Head Administer all the events of the Freshmen Committee Oversee all operations of the committee Coordinate with the University Freshmen Council Logistics and Publicity Officer Handle all logistic operations of the committee Design and produce publicity materials for the events of the Freshmen Committee Ensure that all operations of the Freshmen Committee is properly facilitated Marketing and Finance Officer Organize income generating projects Find sponsors for the events of the Freshmen Committee Manage all financial matters of the committee External Affairs Officer Collaborate with organizations and other student formations Supervise all external operations of the committee Internal Affairs Officer Handle all internal concerns of the committee Keep a record of all the documents of the committee

Programs and Activities I. Freshie Week

The Freshie Week is a week-long event that aims to introduce and promote the UP culture to the freshmen. With the help of the local college councils, organizations, volunteers, sponsors and probably the USC Committee on Culture and Arts and Committee on Organizations, Fraternities and Sororities, this event would showcase what UP has to offer the students and give the freshies a sense of belonging to the UP community. a. First ImFRESHIEon A welcoming assembly will be held on the first day of the Freshie Week. It will be a night loaded with performances from the performing groups of the university. The USC can lay down their activities for the year and encourage the active participation of the freshies. Organizations can showcase their advocacies and forward their campaigns. b. Freshie Kits In partnership with the LCC, a kit containing the university primer and essential things such as yellow pad, bluebook and index card would be given away to the freshmen. This shall serve as their survival guide to the university. c. Movie days Socially relevant films will be screened for free at the UP Film Institute to expose the freshmen to the issues of the society and encourage the freshmen to be involved in forwarding relevant campaigns in line with the issues. d. Freshie Concert This is the culminating activity of the Freshie Week that aims to establish rapport with the freshmen and encourage them to participate in the events of the university. Local bands would be invited to perform for a night full of entertainment. Organizations can set up their own booths to promote their advocacies and encourage the freshmen to join their campaigns. Food stalls inside the campus can also set up their own kiosks to endorse their products. II. Freshie Tour

Certainly, it is more fun in UP and this activity aims to familiarize the freshmen where the institutions are located by giving them a tour around the campus. This will also introduce the freshies to places isko can go to when looking for certain things such as masarap na siomai, murang kainan, pwedeng paprintan, etc.

III.

TOURbo

This is similar to the Freshie Tour but the target audiences are the exchange and international students. A tour of the UP campus would help them move about the university easily and familiarize them to various institutions in our university. IV. Freshie Talks

In partnership with other USC Committees and different institutions, the freshmen would be highly encouraged to attend educational discussions and forums to get them in the know of the issues of the society and to get them actively involved in advancing relevant campaigns. V. Freshie Reg

This aims to assist the freshies during the second semester and summer registrations and address the concerns encountered by freshmen during enrolment. Evaluation of registration from the previous semester will be done in preparation for the registration on the succeeding semester. VI. Freshie merchandise

The Freshmen Committee will organize this income-generating project to raise funds for its events. Various merchandise such as UP shirt, lanyard, note book and UP ballers will be reproduced and sold to the public. VII. Freshn UP

This is a year-long program that aims to help freshies and other entry-level students throughout their freshie life by providing basic services through the help of the UP administration, local college councils, organizations and other USC Committees. a. Now on line, now on call! We shall utilize all avenues of information with the student body by establishing a protocol of communication through text brigade and internet, alongside with the College Representatives, local college councils, and the UP Admin. The USC website shall also host information such as basic student rights, housing directories, student organization directories, varsity schedules, SA/RA job listings, scholarship listings and other relevant student concerns. b. Tutorials In advancing the campaign for academic excellence, tutorials will be held to aid the students excel in their academic requirements while still being socially relevant. c. Career Management Seminar Many students are uncertain of the career they want to pursue while some are stuck in courses they do not really want. This aims to help students realize what the best degree is for them and assist them in the shifting process.

d. DormitorYou The Freshmen Committee shall coordinate with Office of Student Housing to establish an umbrella project that consists of catering the needs of dormers (stable water supply, security, facilities and food) and provide a list of accredited and affordable off-campus housing. VIII. UFC that you can see The Freshmen Committee shall serve as the main connective between the USC and the University Freshmen Council (UFC). It shall assist the UFC in their activities and provide accessible mechanisms for them to advance their advocacies. Having established its own form of internal government, the Freshmen Committee will collaborate with the UFC to maximize all means of providing efficient and effective service to the students and to speed up information dissemination. a. Leadership Training Being the youngest leaders of the university, leadership training will be given to all members of the UFC to enhance their leadership skills and help them become effective and efficient leaders. b. Database update A database containing pertinent contact information of all freshmen must be regularly updated to ensure that important information is relayed on the students.

Proposed timeline of activities May June July August Assist in the UFC elections Evaluation of Freshmen Note: Freshie talk is a year-round program that is once every month Continuous database update Tutorials for Midterm Exams Continuous update on DormitorYou Now Online, Now On Call! Start Database Update Freshie Week Distribute Freshie Kits DormitorYou Freshie Mercandise Freshmen Orientation Program Freshie Tour Reproduce Freshie Kits Freshie Reg evaluation Start Freshie merchandise November Assist in second sem registration Update on DormitorYou Freshie Reg evaluation

December January Tutorials for Midterm Exams Assessment of Freshmen Assist in the Lantern Parade

February March Tutorials for Final exams Assessment Report for Freshmen Committee Career Management Seminar

September Leadership Training TOURbo

October Tutorials for Final Exams Career Management Seminar Assessment Report for Freshmen Committee