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“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the only ones who do.” - Steve Jobs The University has gone through a major transformation this year. Although some may not notice, we are constantly reinventing ourselves towards the accomplishment of our vision. On the other hand, there is one change we have yet to fully embrace: the Administration’s decision to remove our intramurals, Palarong AU. In its stead, teambuilding activities will be conducted in each department. This resolution did not just raise eyebrows but also questions concerning the institution’s dedication in serving its students. How did AU-PHINMA, one of the pillars of tertiary education in the province, come up with the idea of pushing through the academic year without a university-wide sports event? Do we really have the ability to change the face of university life with this risky move, or are we just hiding problems behind a seemingly inventive façade? According to the Center for Student Development and Leadership (CSDL), replacing Palarong AU with teambuilding activities started due to a clamor from those who see intramurals as an event for the players and their coaches alone. The students pointed out that almost everyone contribute for the student activity fund, but only the representatives for the games enjoy what every other Araullian has paid for. However, this statement remains subject to doubt. Who can ever consider Palaro an affair for a selected few, when it brings the AU community together in the spirit of competition and camaraderie? To address this matter, the Administration allocated the budget originally intended for Palaro to a series of day camps. This does not necessarily mean that all students will be invited, but it will be made a point that a majority of them will be included in the activity. Some insist that this is mere cost-cutting on their part, because a huge deal of money has already been spent for the past few months on renovating a number of buildings and restrooms across the campus. In actuality, a bigger funding is needed since these are separate events with a minimum attendance of 150 and will require food and materials for each participant. Consultants and facilitators are also ought to be paid, as well as teachers who will render assistance. For most Araullians, however, the players are not the only ones who benefit from the Palaro. The opportunity to gather and celebrate school spirit is an integral part of a student’s holistic learning and to deny us of this is a biting issue in itself. All academic institutions, be it private or public, prestigious or not, dedicate a week or less for intramurals. The Palaro does not only strengthen bodies and minds but more importantly, it strengthens the feeling of unity among Araullians. Cheering for one’s team and wearing one’s color with pride establish the connection not just between students but with the alma mater as well. As we shift to this radical means of molding the studentry, our perception of change is also being challenged. Do we hold on tight to traditions or accept innovations? We may see this situation as a murder of the school spirit, but one can also view it as its renewal. www.facebook.com/au.viewpoint Breaking Traditions Editorial

Viewpoint: Breaking Traditions

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The maiden issue of Viewpoint, the student publication of Araullo University - PHINMA Education Network.

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Page 1: Viewpoint: Breaking Traditions

“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the only ones who do.” - Steve Jobs

The University has gone through a major transformation this year. Although some may not notice, we are constantly reinventing ourselves towards the accomplishment of our vision. On the other hand, there is one change we have yet to fully embrace: the Administration’s decision to remove our intramurals, Palarong AU. In its stead, teambuilding activities will be conducted in each department.

This resolution did not just raise eyebrows but also questions concerning the institution’s dedication in serving its students. How did AU-PHINMA, one of the pillars of tertiary education in the province, come up with the idea of pushing through the academic year without a university-wide sports event? Do we really have the ability to change the face of university life with this risky move, or are we just hiding problems behind a seemingly inventive façade?

According to the Center for Student Development and Leadership (CSDL), replacing Palarong AU with teambuilding activities started due to a clamor from those who see intramurals as an event for the players and their coaches alone. The students pointed out that almost everyone contribute for the student activity fund, but only the representatives for the games enjoy what every other Araullian has paid for. However, this statement remains subject to doubt. Who can ever consider Palaro an affair for a selected few, when it brings the AU community together in the spirit of competition and camaraderie?

To address this matter, the Administration allocated the budget originally intended for Palaro to a series of day camps. This does not necessarily mean that all students will be invited, but it will be made a point that a majority of them will be included in the activity. Some insist that this is mere cost-cutting on their part, because a huge deal of money has already been spent for the past few months on renovating a number of buildings and restrooms across the campus. In actuality, a bigger funding is needed since these are separate events with a minimum attendance of 150 and will require food and materials for each participant. Consultants and facilitators are also ought to be paid, as well as teachers who will render assistance.

For most Araullians, however, the players are not the only ones who benefit from the Palaro. The opportunity to gather and celebrate school spirit is an integral part of a student’s holistic learning and to deny us of this is a biting issue in itself. All academic institutions, be it private or public, prestigious or not, dedicate a week or less for intramurals. The Palaro does not only strengthen bodies and minds but more importantly, it strengthens the feeling of unity among Araullians. Cheering for one’s team and wearing one’s color with pride establish the connection not just between students but with the alma mater as well.

As we shift to this radical means of molding the studentry, our perception of change is also being challenged. Do we hold on tight to traditions or accept innovations? We may see this situation as a murder of the school spirit, but one can also view it as its renewal.

www.facebook.com/au.viewpoint

Breaking TraditionsEditorial

Page 2: Viewpoint: Breaking Traditions

www.auviewpoint.blogspot.com

T.G.I.F. Breaks New GroundAraullian freshmen tallies a record-breaking attendance of 985 strong in their acquaintance party themed T.G.I.F. (Thank God I’m Freshman) last July 27, 2012. The party, held at the Araullo Gymnasium, was conceptualized as a way of bringing the Araullian Freshmen together and boosting school spirit.

Event highlights included the presentation of the tertiary student leaders; the mass dance where the freshmen jived to the beat of lively music, orchestrated by Michael John Esteban, director of the AU Performing Arts, impromptu; the Q&A portion where master of ceremonies Mark Lenn Zabat gave away souvenir items; and the performance numbers of CADs (Company of Araullian Dancers) and IYF (International Youth Fellowship).

The said event was also one of the cleanest acquaintance parties in the history of AU-PHINMA as the security officers from the College of Criminology strictly implemented CLAYGO policy.

Merez: Central Luzon’s Sole Qualifier for PICPA NAQDOWNAU – PHINMA’s College of Management and Accountancy takes pride in the success of its 4th year BS Accountancy student Rachel B. Merez as she placed 4th runner-up during the 5th Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants National Accounting Quiz Showdown (PICPA NAQDOWN) Luzon Eliminations held at PICPA National Office in Mandaluyong City last July 15.

Merez, the only qualifier from Central Luzon, competed with 63 participants coming from colleges and universities and will vie for a place in the competition’s final round on October 23 to 26 at Davao City.

PICPA NAQDOWN, which covers CPA Board related subjects, took place concurrently in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in cooperation with the National Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (NFJPIA).

CMA and Presidential Scholars Go GreenCollege of Management and Accountancy (CMA) students, Presidential Scholars, and student journalists open up the doors to a greener future as they take part on Araullo University – PHINMA’s “The Green Project 2.0”. The said event was done in accordance with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) National Greening Program (NGP) held at Sitio Alorma, Doña Josefa, Palayan City last July 28, 2012.

Led by Forester and Chief Protection Officer of CENRO-Cabanatuan, August V. Fariñas, the AU students, specifically, members of Junior Marketing Association, Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants – AU Chapter, Hospitality and Tourism Management Society, Junior Banker’s Club, Presidential Scholars, ViewPoint, and faculty participated on the tree growing initiative as part of the 430-hectare wide reforestation of the said location. On that day alone, a total of 500 Narra seedlings were planted on a hectare of land through the joint efforts of CMA and CON students, faculty, and CSDL staff.

Started last July 13, 2012, the project aims to plant 5000 trees across a ten-hectare area over a year. According to Darren J. Gonzales, Student Welfare and Community Involvement (SWCI) Unit Coordinator, the Green Project is an advocacy of the University not only to raise environmental awareness but also to encourage Araullians to actively join the crusade for a greener country. This project also supports the world-wide campaign against global warming and climate change.

RSOs, Councils unite for ORG FairThAmbsUp [O]rient [R]egister [G]ather! (ORG) Fair was held last July 26, 2012. A short program conducted at 10am officially kicked-off the event and introduced the members of the student councils and recognized student organizations (RSOs).

According to Araullo University Supreme Student Government President Mark Kevin Vidar, the ORG Fair aims to promote, raise funds, and recruit members for the student councils and various RSOs of the university to freshmen students. Each student council and organization had a booth for selling a variety of commodities such as food, refreshments, and other merchandise. College-based RSOs Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants AU Chapter (JPIA-AU), Araullo University Political Science Student Organization (AUPSSO) and Hospitality and Tourism Management Society @ Araullo University (HTMSAU); and university-wide RSOs You.Org, Quo Vadis Novo Ecijanos Youth Movement (QVNEYM), Musikalinga.Org and Christian Brotherhood International AU Chapter (CBI-AU) participated in the said event.

In line with the May 2013 elections, a voter’s education seminar was facilitated by YouthVote – Nueva Ecija in the afternoon at the AU Gymnasium. CSDL Directress Junely Moises, SWCI Coordinator Darren Gonzales, CoE-SC Governor Edward Rodriguez and AYLC 2006 Alumna Sarah Baniaga gave informative speeches about the status of the Filipino youth and their role in nation building and transformation through responsible voting.

ViewPoint - Truth from every angleThe official student publication of Araullo University - PHINMA.

Ma. Gladys Repollo Editor-in-Chief, Nathan Beronio Associate Editor, Dan Kevin Roque Managing Editor, Jillian Vergara Writer, Rochela Marie Atencion Cartoonist Darren Gonzales Publication Adviser

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