On April 7, 2021, Catherine Catañeda, the Vice president for Academic Affairs, issued a memorandum regarding the new guidelines that would ease coursework for students and professors of the University from April 7 to 10, 2021. 

 

“The past few days have seen the country seemingly revert back to what it was exactly like a year ago. With Metro Manila being placed under another period of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), we empathize with the need to ease academic requirements in the midst of such a non-conducive climate.” the memorandum read. 

 

In order to respond to the calls made by students, the University has decided to (1) Limit synchronous classes to critical courses only while the rest be taken asynchronously (2) Extend the deadline for requirements due in the second week of the month to the last day of April (3) limit quizzes, and discussions (4) let students who are infected by COVID-19 or living with someone infected with COVID-19 apply for an excused leave of absence. These students are advised to contact their respective deans, chairpersons, or the Health Service Office for information and monitoring purposes and be allowed to take special examinations and make-up for late requirements. 

 

“We believe in efficient yet compassionate education for all our students. Moving forward, we call on our faculty members to heed and adjust to the students’ present conditions, listening and showing genuine care to their situations.” the memo wrote. 

 

Under the suspension, recorded lessons are still possible to be given out during asynchronous classes. Still, the midterm examination will pursue in the following week from April 12 to 16, 2021.