First Years... getting a fresher look

St. Paul University Quezon City is blessed with more than six hundred young and vigorous Freshmen not only local but also foreign students this school year, 2007-2008. This increase in enrollment from previous years marks the institution's commitment to quality education and the internationalization of the university. Creating new structures, enhancing traditional patterns, insightful adaptation, paradigm shifts and ongoing evaluation become inevitable as the College Freshmen Program (CFP) meets its mandate as an integrative academic year for incoming students. Indeed, the creation of the College Freshmen Program is just one of the many structures designed by the University to provide pathways for engagement and support, address varied needs, issues and services of incoming students so that they become successful in their academic endeavors and integration in the Paulinian way of life.

In its two-year existence, the CFP is struggling to cope with the multifaceted demands of the freshmen year vis-a-vis the justification of its existence in the University. To enhance its existence in the University. To enhance its structures and services, the CFP conducted a preliminary research evaluation of its initial year 2005-2006 that focused on the creation of its structures that facilitated services to its stakeholders which were the enhancement activities, formulation of its constitution and by-laws, election of officers and committee heads selected from class presidents and the community out-reach program.

A. Evaluation on the Program's Initial Year

As mandated by the University to have an initial assessment of the implementation evaluation of the College Freshmen Program (SY 2006-2007), the Program Chair designed a questionnaire was distributed randomly to the second year students last August 2007.

The purpose of the said evaluation is to determine the value of the program and its activities, functions of the advisers and the responsibility of the Program Chair in order to make future decisions that are responsive to the program. The evaluation pictures the initial response of the first year students towards the creation of the program and its components.

Based on the total number of respondents, students generally agree on the existence of the program and its components including the performance of the advisers and the Program Chair. The replies of the respondents indicated that the Program has provided the necessary assistance for their adjustment, enhanced their leadership qualities, assisted them in their integration in the Paulinian community, gave them motivation for their academic endeavors, and helped them become members of the Paulinian community. Moreover, the Program Chair was perceived as responsible in his supervision of the Program through regular meetings, consultation, monitoring and advising. Other significant remarks of the respondents referred to the existence of the new program and the role of the Paulthenics advisers.

Since the program is in its infancey stage, reconnendations were focused on the stabilization of its structures, well-defined information, communication and the challenge to get all Freshmen involved in its varied activities.

B. Evaluation of the Advisers' Individual Consultation Dialogue
The individual consultation/dialogue of students with their advisers during and outside their classes provided the basis for designing appropriate intervention of their personal and academic needs. Below are the common areas of concern (according to rank) from the first years:

          Academic difficulty especially in Math and English.
   
          Schedules of subjects are heavy which need proper course management.
 
          Adjustment with professors and their methods of teaching

          Handling conflicts with classmates/peers

The need for intervention in Math and English is very much wanting according to the first year students since may of them expressed difficulty in these subjects, as reflected also in their entrance exam given by the Guidance Center.

Course management which includes subject overloading and relationship with teacher and classmates can be remedied with a reduction of the academic load of the freshmen which is favorable for them as they are in the process of adjustment to their new environment. Enhancement activities (through their Paulthenics classes and institutional activities) ca better facilitate effective course management as well as conflict with classmates and teachers.

C. Report of the Dean of Students' Affair Office

Report of the Dean of Student Affairs provides another insight into the selection of Paulthenics advisers for the first year students. From her study, Ms. Marissa Verona found out that Freshmen advisers have a lower mean average which can be attributed to their neophyte role in handling and processing group dynamic activities. The conduct of Paulthenics modules requires some skills in processing and facilitating experiential learning. The study recommends that First Year Paulthenics advisers be given sessions on "Facilitating Adult Learning through Structured Learning Experiences (SLE's). Moreover, it is also recommended that the selection and appointment of advisers for the first years should be the tenured faculty who have the experience and expertise in the formation of Paulinian students.

From these evaluations and report, one can see the bigger picture of the infancy stage of the College Freshmen Program in terms of its vision and objectives in the formation and integration of Freshmen into the Paulinian community.

D. Towards Strengthening of VFP Structures

As the Program continues to address the different emerging needs of first year students, activities are designed and new structures are introduced to facilitate smoother integration and deeper motivation enabling them to excel in their academics. While attempting to meet primary goals through partnership and collaboration of advisers, students, other service units and the Program Chair. The dynamic leadership of student leaders of the College Freshmen Society also played a vital role in the achievement of CFP goals.

Semestral Election of CFS Officers

With an increasing population every semester, the creation of the College Freshmen Society becomes a venue for potential leaders and organizers to exhibit this skills, talents and responsibilities in their varied positions. This year, the election of the CFS leadership was done every semester for them to be able to give more opportunities to first year students to exercise their leadership qualities in the different organizations where their talents and skills are honed and optimized. Indeed, the CFS organization is training ground for promising students with leadership qualities who have the ability to deal with a diverse population consisting of both local and international students. Ms. Almira Te led the CFS last semester and Mr. Michael Solano this second semester. These two energetic leaders displayed this magnanimity and charism in leading the freshmen towards this integration into the community. Along with the other nine CFS officers, in a Eucharistic celebration last November 28, the CFS officers were introduced by Ms. Marisa Verona of the Students Affairs Office.

Beneficiaries of APEP Services

The Academic Performance Enhancement Services truly enhanced not only the academic performance of the students but also deepened their motivation to learn and excel in their class. The structure of APEP harmonizes with the structures of the College Freshmen Program in areas like academic advising, peer support, student dialogue and appropriate enrichment programs. The mechanism of intervention classes are great academic support for our first year students as they continue adjusting to their academic environment - new teachers and new teaching styles. With a more systematic and established academic programs like these services, we hope to increase the success rate of our students while forming them into truly integrated Paulinians. here are some of the testimonial of first year students in their intervention classes:

APEP helped me pass my Mathematics subject. My grade became higher than my last grade and I passed my finals. I am thankful for this Program. (Rudolph Rupert Lo)

The seminar on self-esteem facilitated by Dr. Nimfa De Vera did not only make me aware of my strengths but also facilitated my control of my weaknesses and how I could develop these int positive asset which should be useful in both my academic and soon-to-be professional life. (Michael Solano, CFS President)

I attended the APEP last semester and it really helped me a lot because I was able to understand my lessons which I had difficulties in comprehending. I do appreciate Ms. Severiana Santos, our Algebra Professor for her great effort in helping us overcome our difficulties. (Angealie Cojuanco Vinluan)

Basic Leadership Training Seminar for CFS Officers and Outreach Activities

To boost the leadership qualities of its student leaders, the College Freshmen Program, in partnership with other units of the University, holds training and seminars on basic leadership. Last semester, the Office of Student Affairs and Executive Council facilitated the Basic Leadership Training Seminar of the CFS Officers. Another seminar is scheduled this semester for the new set of officers. In the partner communities provides students with educational opportunities for hands-on learning and insights on the basic issues of Philippine society. This happened as they immerse themselves into the life of the community and engage in the different activities of the University in alleviating the life of their poor beneficiaries. The 15 CFP classes take turns in going to the area where they are received by host families whom they stay with and interact with during the day. Such experiences of presence, relationship and solidarity empowers not only the people in the communities but the students as well.

Mae Lagradia, a first year nursing student, shared her insights on her first exposure to the area: "After the day's activity, everyone shared his/her experiences during their stay with their respective families. Everyone was really happy with the experience and learned some things about themselves. Some learned how to cook rice, hoe to fry food, bathe the children and do the marketing. It was like everyone discovered something new about themselves that they did not usually do on a regular basis - everyone tried something different, something out of their comfort zone."

To date, the CFP is engage in fund raising activities for its commitment to build houses in the Gawad Kalinga na SPUQC Housing Project in Sitio Ruby, Fairview, Quezon City. We hope that through this effort, the students' sense of solidarity and corporate social responsibility will be heightened as they engage in this actual form of empowering the lost, least and the last - a truly Christian imperative for all Paulinians!

Freshmen Exposure in Partner Community

In line with the vision-mission of SPUQC and its institutional commitment to offer its direct services to the poor, especially in uplifting the plight of Filipino children, the College Freshmen Program started its series of exposure of students to its new adopted community in Mandaluyong. This year-round activity aimed to heighten the social awareness of the Freshmen to issues of poverty, education and delivery of social services to the marginalized sectors of Philippine society. Such experience and awareness were shared and deepened in their Paulthenics and Catechism classes. Together with their advisers, Freshmen were accompanied to their host families for a one (1) day community integration.

CFS Adopts a Day Care Center in Mandaluyong

Instilling a culture of service and solidarity with the poor, the College Freshmen Society adopted a Day Care Center in Welfareville, Mandaluyong City. With the supervision of the CDC and General Education Department, the 12 Freshmen classes took turns in their Feeding Program for the 65 children in the center, Started last January 19, the feeding program hopes to improve the health condition of the children while attending their classes. The Day Care Center is a self-sufficient center relying on the generosity of local officials, partner institutions and mothers who also act as teachers. Last year, St. Paul University Quezon City signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the officers of the Day Care Center and gave its commitment in the program development of the center.

Twice a week, every Freshmen class held their feeding program with the involvement of their mothers. The program became also a venue for sharing and interaction between students and members of the community. Students were gradually exposed to the grim reality of poverty as expressed in the lack of the delivery of social services in the area. The feeding program culminated with a closing activity last March.

Freshmen Join Bicol Relief Operation

By Giuseffe Inno Arabejo, BSN-1C
It was a very humbling experience to be a part of the team who shared the blessings of the Lord with our less fortunate brothers and sisters in Bicol last February 16-18, 2007.

Some of the St. Paul University Quezon City administrators, faculty, students and staff together with the representatives of the St. Paul Bocaue campus are blessed to have the opportunity to help the victims of the typhoon Reming in Bicol province particularly in Cabusao, Camarines Sur by feeding them, distributing goods and donations, and interacting with the community. We started the day with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The community greeted us with their warm welcome as we started to share with them our gifts and provide them their breakfast. Despite the heat of the sun in the morning, it still felt good to be with them and share with them the blessings that the St. Paul community continues to receive from the Lord. It is very overwhelming to see their smiles as a sign of their gratitude to us. Seeing them very happy with our little help relieves all of our weariness during the day. The parish prepared our lunch after the activity, and then exchanged our songs of thankfulness afterwards before we left Cabusao.

Aside from the distribution of the goods in Cabusa, we also visited a leper's community. It reminded me of the experience Jesus had with the lepers in the Bible. Though some of us honestly felt worried, the eagerness to show that we love them through our presence still reigned. Although we visited them for only a couple of minutes, our experience with them will surely last for years.

I really felt blessed for taking part in this rare opportunity to be with St. Paul University in reaching out to the victims of the typhoon. I will truly treasure this experience because through this activity, I hope that the Paulinian community will still continue to work and pray not only for Cabusao but also for our less fortunate brothers and sisters in the whole country.

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