STATS101 | Students Share Feedback on Revised Activity Schedule

On 19 June 2024, the Office of the Vice President for Higher Education (OVPHE) announced a change in the activity period of AdNU. The new schedule merges the original Monday to Thursday (4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.) and Friday (3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.) sessions into a single block on Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The activity period, typically reserved for non-academic activities such as organization meetings, extracurriculars, and other campus events, aims to balance academics with co-curricular activities for a well-rounded student experience. However, the recent shift to consolidating it into a single block on Fridays has raised concerns about its effectiveness in maintaining this balance. 

When asked how they typically spend their activity period, the majority of students revealed that the time is a critical part of their day. 84.9% of students use it for academic tasks, such as studying or completing assignments, emphasizing the role of this period as a vital break to catch up on schoolwork. This highlights how crucial the activity period is in helping students manage their academic workload and stay on top of their studies.

Moreover, 56.9% of students devote the time to handling organizational responsibilities. Personal affairs, including errands and non-academic duties, are attended to by 62.6% of respondents, while 26% participate in practice, training, or rehearsals. These findings reflect the diverse ways in how students rely on the activity period to fulfill a variety of responsibilities.

Interestingly, 76.9% of students use the time to rest, highlighting the need for a break amidst a busy academic schedule.

Consultation and Communication about the Change

The activity period was implemented to cater to the needs of the students with regards to their co-curricular activities inside the institution. This also allows students to engage in activities that will enhance their social skills and cultural belonging. In addition, according to the student handbook of AdNU, activity periods may also be used to comply with delayed examinations.

In terms of consultation about the changes to the activity period schedule, the survey revealed that a significant 77.7% of respondents were not consulted before the change was implemented. Only 22.3% indicated that they were consulted through an announcement, memorandum, email, and forum. But it was later confirmed by the President of AdNU-Lideratos, Mx. Ianthe Keziah Mae Rosanes, that there was no consultation with students prior to the implementation of the revised schedule. 

Despite acknowledging that AdNU embraces its care for student’s welfare as part of their vision, the majority of students felt excluded from the decision-making process, suggesting that the communication channels used were either insufficient or not widely accessible to the student body.

As of writing, no teaching faculty or staff have responded to the survey, leaving it unclear whether the revised activity period had a positive or negative impact on them. 

This lack of input from the student body has led to a sense of disconnection, particularly given the far-reaching effects of the change on students' routines and extracurricular commitments. The uncertainty highlights the need for a more inclusive and transparent consultation process, one that considers the perspectives of both students and faculty to ensure any changes are effective and beneficial to the entire community. 

Concerns Regarding the New Schedule

The shift to a Friday-only activity period has sparked disapproval from students. As a 2nd-year student from the College of Education (COE) explained, "Personally, I don't find it helpful for the activity period to be scheduled at the end of the week. Many students already avoid having many classes on Fridays to rest or return home for the weekend, so scheduling the activity period then seems counterproductive." 

On the other hand, for students involved in organizations, the consolidation of the activity period into a single day reduces opportunities for university-wide activities and limits overall student participation. A 3rd-year student from the College of Business & Accountancy (CBA) stated that the previous schedule allowed for a better balance between academics, personal affairs, and rest, a balance that is now disrupted by the new Friday-only format, which may take time to adjust to. 

These sentiments are echoed by other students who view the new schedule as more of a hindrance than a benefit. The shift from a spread-out activity period to a consolidated Friday-only schedule has disrupted students' established routines and clashes with their personal choices, especially for those who were already managing tight schedules throughout the week. Many students had grown accustomed to a more flexible and distributed activity period that allowed them to juggle multiple responsibilities more effectively. By condensing the time into a single day, it reduces opportunities for spontaneous meetings, collaboration, and engagement with university-wide activities. This lack of flexibility has made the revised schedule feel restrictive, and students are concerned that it compromises their well-being by reducing essential breaks. 

Student Preferences 

In line with the result of the survey, students were asked about their preferred schedule of the activity period. Result shows that 81.8% (315 students)–the majority of respondents–preferred the old schedule with Monday to Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., while 18.2% (70 students) preferred only Friday, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Furthermore, the effectiveness of a certain ideal will depend on the feasibility and efficiency for conduction and implementation, hence validation of a student's opinion might propose an effective application. 

Students expressed varied but insightful preferences for the activity period schedule. Many said a one-hour session from Monday to Thursday would allow time to prepare for classes and complete assignments. One of the respondents suggested that, “...the activity period can also be utilized for academic purposes. It was really difficult trying to schedule group meetings last semester because we had different classes and schedules. We ended up usually meeting late at night and barely had time to rest. The daily activity period would allow us to have our schedules matched for even just an hour and a half.” 

The respondent also added, “Extracurriculars and rest also promote the well-being of the student and cater to their personal needs. Our schedules are already bombarded as it is. I hope they can give us a little more time for ourselves.” This sentiment was also similar to every student that suggested bringing back the old schedule for the activity period. 

Meanwhile, those that are in favor assert that by having Friday (3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) as the activity period will give assistance towards moving late night classes at an earlier time. However, this argument is weakened by the continued scheduling of late classes, with several courses still set from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., even on Fridays. Last semester, some Friday classes were scheduled later in the evening, despite the new activity period. This undermines the intended benefit of freeing up time, leaving students with the same challenging schedules to manage.

Despite these, students voiced concerns that the new schedule disrupts their established routines, especially given that Fridays are traditionally reserved for lighter academic loads or to prepare for the weekend. Furthermore, the change poses challenges for students who do not have Friday classes, as it forces them into an activity period that is irrelevant to their schedule. Students argue that the previous system, which provided a more consistent and flexible spread of the activity period throughout the week, was a more effective structure for fostering academic productivity and supporting student engagement. 

Although there are several views and opinions that need to be taken into consideration, it is within the institution to decide whether certain changes and developments will occur with deliberation of the current situation. More so, it is crucial that the administration acknowledges the voices of the students in these decisions so that they will be actively involved in the decision-making process. There must be established communication and consultation channels to ensure students that they are not only informed but are also given a genuine platform to influence decisions, as their experiences and perspectives are invaluable in shaping policies that directly affect their academic and extracurricular lives. | via Reina Narvaez & Sophia Marfega