LEARNING does not end within the four walls of the campus. Rather, it begins there. From competitions and conferences to leadership activities and other external engagements, students continue to learn, grow, and represent SBCA beyond the classroom. As these opportunities expand, so does the need for clear, equitable, and responsive guidelines governing the non-curricular off-campus activities of the College.

Last Aug. 19, the Office of Student Affairs (OSA), led by the Dean of Student Affairs Prof. Carl Michael Dela Cruz, presented the proposed guidelines to the committee. In attendance were Dr. Precy G. Baluarte, Prefect of Student Activities, together with student representatives from the Tertiary Student Executive Council (SEC), THE BEDAN HERALD, Beda.COMM, Bedan International Studies Association (BISA), BEDANZ Dance Troupe Alabang, Junior Bedan Engineering Society (BES), Junior Financial Executives Association (JFINEX), and the Rotaract Club of SBCA.

Defining the Scope

At the center of the discussion was how existing guidelines can better address the experiences of students who participate in competitions, conferences, and other activities outside the campus. The proposed policy is aligned with the Rector’s Strategic Focus Area 5, emphasizing active stakeholder engagement, transparency, and equity in institutional decision-making. 

Anchored on CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 63, Series of 2017, the discussion covered student safety, due diligence, and the distinction between curricular and non-curricular activities.

One distinction discussed was between activities required by a course and those organized through student activities. For example, an international trip for International Studies students may be considered curricular if it is part of their course requirements. A similar trip organized by a student organization, however, may fall under the non-curricular guidelines if not required by their respective curricula. This distinction helps clarify which activities are covered and which are governed by separate academic guidelines.

Prioritizing Student Safety

Beyond defining the said activities, the discussion also focused on the safety and accountability of students in off-campus engagements. Proposed provisions include assigning a person-in-charge (PIC), holding pre-activity orientations, preparing emergency protocols, and submitting post-activity reports. Transportation arrangements were also discussed, with safety and route efficiency prioritized over cost.

Specific provisions were also discussed for activities such as team-building, community outreach, and student publication coverage. While a PIC is generally required for off-campus activities, student publications are exempted from this requirement for news coverage, in recognition of press freedom, provided the necessary application and approval process is followed, and the safety of student journalists remains a priority. 

Dean Mico explained the rationale for the provision, stating that "the school recognizes the autonomy of the student publication to cover institutional and national news as part of its press freedom as stipulated in the Campus Journalism Act."

The guidelines are also designed to remain responsive to future changes, with the OSA noting that they may be revisited once CHED issues new memoranda or guidelines. The committee also discussed simplifying required forms based on the scale and nature of an activity, while still requiring full documentation for longer or more complex engagements. 

Student representatives were invited to raise concerns and suggest revisions, with their feedback to be considered before the guidelines undergo final approval. BISA President Elisha Marrin Bautista raised concerns about the policy’s prohibition of off-campus pick-up and drop-off, particularly whether the provision would also apply to students who use Grab or other forms of transportation and meet directly at the activity venue. 

RAC SBCA Internal Vice President Dominique De Belen sought clarification on the need for a PIC when only one student is sent to represent the organization at an external activity.

The next stage will involve selected faculty members and non-teaching personnel, whose insights will help further refine the proposed measures. After their feedback and the necessary revisions, the final draft will be submitted to the Director of Tertiary and Graduate Schools Atty. Juan Rufo D. Chong and SBCA Rector-President Rev. Fr. Gerardo Ma. De Villa, OSB, for approval.

As these opportunities continue to take students beyond the campus, the proposed guidelines aim to ensure that learning beyond the classroom is supported by clear expectations, proper support, and safety. With the student perspective now on the table, the discussion now turns to the faculty members who help make these off-campus learning experiences possible.