02/08/2025
NEWS | Ibañez to faculty: uphold respect to authority
During the University Student Council Federation (USCF) oathtaking ceremony, Officer-in-Charge University President Dr. Arthur G. Ibañez addressed issues that persist not only within student organizations but also among various sectors across the nine satellite campuses of Cagayan State University (CSU).
Ibañez emphasized that faculty members must comply with orders issued by those in positions of authority.
“Teachers are required to follow office orders,” Ibañez said, addressing students’ concerns on some teachers failing to abide by the said policy.
“It’s about following or not following the protocol with respect to the issuances of memorandum orders and special orders. The faculty should follow these legitimate and legal orders coming from the higher-ups. It may be an order from their college dean, their CEO, directors, VPs, and also the President—they must respect and follow it,” he added.
He reiterated the importance of observing protocol and respecting authority within the university system.
“The moment that we don’t follow these processes, then there will be chaos. And it’s not a good sight of a dynamic and healthy organization if you don’t follow or respect authority,” Ibañez explained.
According to the Cagayan State University (CSU) Student Manual Revised 2023, students are free to participate in co-curricular activities; thus, their attendance and participation, if officially sanctioned, shall be recognized and shall excuse them from attending classes.
However, in cases where teachers do not comply with office orders, he suggested that the matter be addressed by the college dean, followed by the Office of the CEO if unresolved, before reaching out to the Office of the University President for further investigations.
“If there’s any issue that you cannot resolve, just follow the process. But I assure you, the moment that it reaches the office of Lorraine [Tattao] or VP Mariden, it will be resolved,” he exclaimed.
PROTECT STUDENT LEADERS
The university president also reminded advisers of their duty to guide and protect student leaders within their respective campuses.
“It is the responsibility of all advisers to protect their student leaders. You should be the one who’s fighting for the rights of these students. Pinili kayo ng university to help, advise, and guide them—and it is also your responsibility to take care of them,” Ibañez shared.
He further elaborated on the advisers’ role, particularly when academic concerns arise involving student leaders.
“If may isang estudyante na hindi naka-take ng exam kasi pumunta rito, that’s your responsibility to inform the faculty, lalo na’t importanteng meeting ito and talagang dapat ma-excuse sila,” he explained.
DO THE SAME
He also reminded student leaders to strictly adhere to the university’s hierarchy and follow the processes.
“The moment that you can respect the authority, then you can be good leaders. That’s why there is a protocol—we need to follow processes. If the order comes from your regent, and you are a member of the federation, then you must follow your regent. The same is true with the organization. The hierarchy in CSU is the President of the university, the Vice-Presidents, the CEOs, and the faculty,” he said.
Together with the USCF officers present during the ceremony, Dr. Ibañez concluded his speech by highlighting the role of student leaders as representatives of the entire CSU student body.
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Article by Evhan Cariaga
Photo by Jana Mia Orolfo
