The Rise of Student Empowerment

By: Maria Leni D. Oro

There was once a man who saw a child in the seashore. In curiosity, the man asked the child about what he was doing.

The child looked at the man and answered, “I was just throwing starfishes back to the ocean to live”.

In astonishment, the man replied, “But there’s too many starfishes stuck in the seashore. How can you save them all?”

The child picked a starfish and threw it back to the ocean. Then he smiled and said, “I may not throw them all back to the ocean, but at least, I made a difference to the life of that single starfish”.

This story was the same story that the Ayala Young Leaders Congress’ organizers keep on telling their student delegates. Leadership is not just about influence; it’s about making a difference even to a single life.

In Notre Dame of Marbel University (NDMU), the Department of Student Affairs and Development (DSAD), the Guidance and Testing Center, the Supreme Student Government (SSG), the different collegiate student councils, the various clubs and organizations as well as the student leaders are taking the steps to pick up our own version of the starfishes and throw them back to the ocean. Various activities are conducted to involve us, students and create a positive change in our lives.

Behind the enlightenment brought by the simple story, the question still remains. Let’s just say that the boy keeps throwing starfishes to live, will the boy become successful if the starfishes themselves don’t have the desire to live? Will the NDMU students be saved if they themselves are not empowered enough to want to?

The Great Challenge

This is the call we must respond to. There might be forces to propel us to move, but if we don’t have the drive, we never can make a change. Looking at this, what is student empowerment?

To give us the idea, the OMNIANA passed questionnaires about this article to the different student college presidents, presidents of selected clubs and organizations and even the SSG, DSAD and Guidance Center.

According to Mr. Romeo C. Babar, director of the DSAD, Student empowerment is when students take control of their educational programs and voice out their opinions and views in the right time and place. “To be empowered, one must know the responsibilities and accountabilities that lie beneath in taking his active role. He should know his boundaries and limitations to avoid conflict between his studies and interests ”, said Mr. Babar.

As for our SSG president, Wilter Friales BSEd Engl 4, Student Empowerment means making use of the student’s own power, talent, skill, ability, and potential in order to create a great change in themselves. For him, ”one is empowered if he is willing to take the risk and sees the value and essence of what he is fighting for”.

“Student Empowerment for me is to enable the students to realize the greatness in them. It’s like “feeding them to grow” and “teaching them to know” in order to be productive students of the university”, said Tyron Jann B. Villanueva BSN 4, president of the College of Health Sciences Student Council.

“It involves gaining greater awareness and control of the self and becoming a more responsive and responsible individuals”, added Rogello Estiban, Jr, BS Engl 4, Principal of the T’nalak Youth Group (TYG).

“Empowerment is a choice. If a student wants to empower himself, then he will work for it. An empowered student is awake and is present. He envisions and he works. Student empowerment is a tough process and it involves not only the student leaders but mainly and most importantly, the students themselves”, according to the College of Business Administration Student Council president, Ryan J.Alair BS Mktng 4.

“You never force them to do it but you made them realize that it’s for their own good”, said Ciane Lou Siman BSEd GenSci 4, president of the College of Education Student Council.

The Vague Past

Looking back at the pages of NDMU history, how did we assert ourselves in the past? Are we empowered?

“Student participation in the past is not that bad and not that good because most of the students are passive”, according to Kim Lovies P.Alocada, AB Philo 4, president of the College of Arts and Sciences Student Council.

In Sir Babar’s experience, Student participation in the past was evident. “As I can recall, when I was in my high school and early days in college 20 years ago, students were too active and aggressive enough to oppose the school administration especially when there is a tuition fee increase. But as time moves on, all things have a way of mellowing down and dying out or shall I say things now are equilibrated. ”

For Wilter, people who are attending the activities are the same faces. “This means that the same faces of students are also being empowered and developed while the rest stay stagnant in the university. They play the role of being just plain students, because they don’t take a n active role in terms of student activities.”

The Steps to Take

If this is the status of our participation in the past, surely, our leaders have their way to solve this problem. The incessant passivity has become so alarming that it needs to be addressed. Based on the forms distributed to our respondents, there are three ways common to them all.

First of all, they plan meaningful activities.

“Our first move in empowering our students is to provide simple yet meaningful activities that harness them socially, physically, and mentally.”, said Tyron in the CHSSC.

For the SSG, Wilter stresses that the SSG plans activities which are beneficial, sensible, values-oriented, and caters to the need of the students. These are activities that are worthy of their involvement, time, effort, and interest.

“I am designing programs and activities according to the objectives and mission-vision of my organization”, said Norhashim M. Ulangkaya.

Moreover, for Rogello, “We designate tasks to our volunteers in which they would discover their potentials and enhance their skills. Through this, we let them feel that they are trusted, and a vital part of the organization. We allow them to explore the world of learning and experience so they gain maturity and better understanding of their worth and essence”.

Second, they make it a point to be visible to the students. The SSG stresses that visibility has a bearing on student’s active participation.

Indeed, visibility can be equated to the measure of a leader’s commitment. His visibility is a concrete proof of his dedication. In the arena of student leadership, leaders are constantly subject to observation and criticism. If students can’t see their leaders working, how could we demand participation from them? It’s leading by example.

“Empowering ourselves must be done before empowering others that’s why we are synergizing our students’ capabilities and ideas that will lead to one strong college.” that is Edward Dave Mendoza, College of Engineering and Technology Student Council president.

Finally, Information dissemination is given key attention. “We make sure the information about the activities is well disseminated so that their interest will be ignited thus facilitating participation from them”, said Tyron.

Lighting the Fire

Given wonderful plans and meaningful activities, how do our student leaders motivate their members? What are they doing to light the fire with regards to their involvement?

“First, I just make them realize that the motivation will start from themselves and giving them importance in every activity, that without them, activities will be useless; and letting them feel that they are the core of all these activities”, according to Kim.

In addition to that, Tyronn stressed, “We allow the students to see the reinforcements that we do to those who are participating, like recognition and appreciation of a job well done. In that way, students who participated will feel a sense of accomplishment. In return, they will be eager to join and participate to the college’s endeavors. ”

The Thorn on the Road

Living to empower the students is a difficult task. Yet, our student leaders are committed for this cause. Seeing from the perspective of the past events the following are notable observations.

During the first SSG General Assembly on June 26, students flocked the NDMU gymnasium almost filling it to the brim. On the “Dayon kag Magkinalipay: A Welcome Night ” on July 11, the gym was once again filled with students as they witnessed impressive multimedia presentations and an array of activities lined up for the night. Also, the increase in attendance during college assemblies is highly commendable. Looking at the SSG schedule posted on their bulletin board, almost all Saturdays are jampacked with activities as well as Sundays.

Will the incessant quest for empowerment jeopardize our academics? Are we losing focus on our studies?

“For me, it depends on how the students handle and control their time and effort. The students must know how to manage their time in academic and non-academic activities. Time management is very important in every one of us”, said Norhashim who was the president of both MSO and Young Mindanawans Peace Builders (YMPD) and the treasurer of Student Support System for Development (3SD). “I always remember that proper time management is the key to success”, he added.

For Ms. Elaine Labiao, Director of the Guidance and Testing Center, “Oftentimes, our first notion is that school activities is likely to hamper student’s academic performance, For me, it would mean otherwise. However, the activities one should have must be within his capacity and inclinations. If managed properly, school activities could invigorate and give stimulus to our mind and body.

Further, we could learn a lot of things out of school activities which will help us enhance [ourselves] academically”.

“Students must know how to balance educational programs involving both academics and extra-curricular activities. While it is true that their academic is important, the latter is always considered as essential to the formation and development of the students and is designed to supplement and not to interfere their studies.”, according to Sir Babar.

The Vision

How do our leaders visualize the NDMU students in the future?

“I can see students who are active and empowered. Everyone takes part in every activity. Everybody has a role to play, all potentials are manifested, and all student are working for excellence in both academic and extra-curricular activities”, said Wilter.

“They will be participative in different programs not for the fear of attendance and any forms of punishment. They do it because they want tp and able to understand the real essence and values of the said programs”, according to Ciane.

“I can visualize our students in the future to be more brilliant in facing challenges and trials, to do extremely well not only in academics, but also to broaden their capabilities in terms of extra-curricular activities that enhance their character, competence, and our culture”, said Edward.

The Greatness in Us

According to Spiderman’s uncle, “With great power comes great responsibility”. In an institution nourished by the values of excellence in character, competence and culture, we Notre Dameans bear the mark of excellence. Yet when this power remains untapped through the lethargy of our passivity, we will forever be stuck in where we are.

“Both academics and extra-curricular activities are important. True, you have an edge among others if you excel academically, however it is through school activities that your leadership skills and interpersonal relationship are being honed. The spirit of team work and cooperation are likewise developed trough in which is essential not only during your stay in this institution but more importantly, in the field of work. My dear students, a well managed and balanced academic performance and extra curricular activities will lead to a successful life”, expresses Ms. Labiao.

Indeed, our powers are endless, and it is our responsibility to discover them and utilize them. We are called not only to excel academically, but also to rise in field of activities, where we gain the wisdom of learning about ourselves, about others, and about the real world in store for us.

For sir Babar. “To be empowered, one must strike the balance. Maintain your academic activities yet consider also extra curricular activities as an essential tool in the formation of your whole being. Take the best opportunities being offered by the school to the maximum learning and get the best experience of college life in this institution.”

We are all starfishes stuck in the shore. Our student leaders and school leaders are trying to throw us all back to the ocean to live. They can always pick us up and help us get back to the ocean, yet, it is our prerogative if we will waste the opportunity they have provided us, or we will grab this chance and make the most out of our stay in this vast ocean of learning.

As the starfish, do you have the will to survive?

Enjoy college. Grab all the opportunities. Be empowered.