SBA admin consults student concerns on incoming online quali

In a meeting held this afternoon with organizations, school publication, and student council under the School of Business and Accountancy (SBA), the SBA administration cleared up some concerns raised by students regarding the qualifying examinations scheduled to be taken online by the end of May.

The meeting was attended by the SBA Dean, Dr. Maria Lina Ramoneda, SBA Associate Dean, Dr. Albert Morales, and Program Coordinators Mr. Ednel Datu, Ms. Mary Antonette Tadeo, and Mr. Jon Bryan Pamintuan, as well as The Enterprise, the School of Business and Accountancy Student Council (CSC-SBA), and the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants Holy Angel University Chapter (JPIA-HAU).

When asked about the reason why the qualifying examinations were moved earlier for second year students—from June 14,16, and 18 to June 1, 3, and 5—the administration stated that the exams have to be scheduled with room for a retake after two weeks. The examinations were moved due to an announcement by the University President Dr. Luís María Calingo that the next semester will be starting in July.

Upon requests to postpone the exam dates due to their proximity to the final exams, Ramoneda stated that they will be discussing the possibility after the meeting. However, this would only apply to incoming third years; the exam dates for incoming fourth years are final and will not be moved.

CSC-SBA Councilor Kate Lacap also raised a concern from students regarding the incapacity of their tablets or phones to support the applications needed for the exams. “I hope you understand the dilemma that we are in,” the Dean explained, quoting the intention of some students to cheat during the exam.

Joshua Liscano, Chairperson of CSC-SBA, reported that the Office of the Community Extension Services (OCES) will only be able to provide tablets, which might have the same issue with supporting the applications. However, the Chair is already in communication with Ms. Iris Castro from the Office of Student Affairs who has forwarded the concern to Mr. Robby Tantingco. The CSC is still awaiting updates on the matter.

Another concern that was raised is whether irregular students would be able to take the exam. Program Coordinator Mr. Ednel Datu explained that irregular students who have not yet taken all the prerequisite subjects would not be able to sit for the test.

There were also requests from second year students to keep professors from giving a hefty load of requirements, to which the Dean quipped that those requirements might be part of the learnings students are supposed to gain from their subjects.

“You understand that the qualifying examination is meant to assess whether you are fitted for the BSA program, and you know how difficult that is. If you cannot live up to the pressure, baka naman you’d like to consider getting into BSMA or BSIA right away. It doesn’t mean that it’s the end of the world if you don’t make it into the BSA program,” Ramoneda stated.

The Dean also explained that bending these rules could lower the quality of education. “If you don’t want to take the qualifying exams, then don’t take it. Shift na,” Ramoneda expressed.

However, the SBA Dean recommended that students look into their weaknesses and coordinate with JPIA-HAU to request for review sessions. JPIA-HAU President Axylla Mendoza reiterated that Real Excellence Online (REO) CPA Review and Pampanga CPA Review School (PCPAR) have already provided students with free access to their review materials.

For taxation, the CREATE Act will be included in the coverage as it took effect in 2020. For Management Advisory Services, a copy of formulas will not be allowed during the examinations. “Kindly think of this as the same as face-to-face exams,” Tadeo stated.

Face-to-face examinations will not be allowed, even for selected students who do not have laptops or computers since the IATF is very strict on this matter. According to Dr. Ramoneda, said students may look for the resources that are available in their community.

There will be a mock examination to try the respondus monitor and lockdown browser. Students who have really slow internet connection can forgo the use of respondus monitor, but everybody is required to use the lockdown browser.

JPIA-HAU Vice President for Non-Academic Affairs Hazel Miranda expressed that less privileged students could be left behind due to the online qualifying examinations, which would invalidate the university’s goal of having no student left behind. “The concerns we are raising are our reality, not excuses,” Miranda stated, pleading with the administration to address student concerns.

Miranda added that although the qualifying examinations may be for the benefit of the students, the current situation has only made it a burden. “Mahirap po na hindi kami kabahan, kasi pangarap namin yung nakasalalay,” she continued.

The Dean continued the exchange by stating, “There is life after the BSA program. We do not know what the future holds for you. You try to look or assess—is this the career path that is meant for you? Sometimes you are drawn to a different path for a reason. I do not know why, because I’m not God. But there are times that it’s going to be like that.”

For students requesting for more information on the Bachelor of Science in Management Accounting (BSMA) and Bachelor of Science in Internal Auditing (BSIA) courses, Morales stated that they will be scheduling a reorientation. With regards to the guidelines for shifting, the Associate Dean said that they will coordinate with the school registrar to release specific instructions.

LAYOUT BY: Cristine Joie Q. Bacud