VII. STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES

As enshrined and guaranteed by the Philippine Constitution, students have the right to free assembly and the freedom to organize. However, this freedom of organization does not impose on the University the obligation to recognize every organization. Only organizations whose aims and purposes are in line with the objectives of the University can qualify for the recognition.
Students have the right to form organizations on campus, under the law, and according to the objectives and regulations of Northwestern University and to seek recognition for such organizations. Organizations whose memberships are exclusively composed of bona fide students of the University may apply for recognition. A minimum of fifteen (15) students may form an organization or an interest club.

A. Application for recognition for NEW organizations:
The following are the steps for recognition:

1. A duly-designated representative should file an application for recognition (NWU OSA-002) from the Office of Student Affairs;
2. The duly-accomplished form must be accompanied by the following documents:

a. Proposed Name of the Organization
b. Proposed Constitution and By-laws (CBL)
c. List of Founding Members

3. The DSA sitting as chairman constitutes the Screening Committee, checks the completeness of the submitted requirements and evaluates the CBL whether its purpose and objectives are lawful and in line with the University’s VMO and policies.
4. If found proper, the Screening Committee endorses the same to the VPAA for approval.;
5. Upon the grant of recognition or approval, the members will elect their set of officers and submit three (3) recommendations for their adviser from where the administration will select and appoint the adviser.
After its formal organization, elected President must submit a copy of its annual action plan, list of elected officers and chosen adviser.

B. Application for RENEWAL of recognition
The following are the steps for recognition:

a. Constitution and By-laws (CBL)
b. List of Officers/Adviser
c. Annual accomplishment report for the last preceding year.

3. The DSA, sitting as chairman of the Screening Committee checks the completeness of the Requirements submitted and evaluates the CBL whether its purpose and objectives are lawful and in line with the University’s VMO and policies.
4. If found proper, the chairman of the screening committee endorses the same to the VPAA for approval;
5. Upon the grant of recognition or approval, the members will elect their set of officers and submit three (3) recommendations for their adviser from where the administration will select and appoint the adviser.

The election should be under the supervision of the Dean of Student Affairs and the Dean of the college concerned. To assure the election of quality leaders/officers for tenure of one year, the candidate should at least possess the following minimum qualifications:

a. A candidate who desires to run for any position in any of the Campus Organizations and Interest Club in which he is to be elected.
b. He/she should possess good moral character.
c. He/she must not have been convicted to any offense involving moral turpitude.
d. He/she must be with good academic standing as certified by the Dean concerned based on set college standards.
e. At least two (2) years residence is required for the position of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. One year for other positions. Staffers of their respective college
papers or The Review are disqualified to run for any position.
f. A candidate should at least have a maximum academic load of fifteen (15) units during the time of election. However, graduating students with lesser units but who will graduate at the end of the school year is allowed to run for office.
The Dean of Student Affairs should be furnished a copy of the list candidates at least three (3) days before the conduct of an election. Elected officers assume their responsibility and hold office after they are sworn into office which shall be done not later than one week after election.
Grounds for revocation of recognition:

1.Ultra vires acts of the officers or members;
2.Act or acts prejudicial to the interest of the greater majority of students and the name of the University;
3.Willful disobedience or wanton disregard to abide with University policies and regulations;
4.Stern refusal to submit documentary requirements and midyear/end-term reports for renewal of recognition; and
5.Repeated non-participation, without meritorious reasons to University activities, programs and events.

The student organizations may be institutional like the Supreme Student Council, The Review and the Saguday Arts Group; college or department organization, or interest clubs.

THE SUPREME STUDENT COUNCIL (SSC)

Northwestern University recognizes the right of the students to organize a free student government that can administer its approved constitution, legislate student policies, adjudicate student’s concerns which do not require institutional intervention and seek redress of grievances of students.
The University recognizes, according to democratic principles, the Supreme Student Council as the only legitimate representative of the student body to the administration, to the academic board or any official activities where representation for students is needed.
The election for the Supreme Student Council once in every academic year. The qualifications for SSC officers, as provided for in the Constitution and By-laws, are as follows:

A candidate who desires to run for nay elective position in the Supreme Student Council:

a. Must be a bona fide student of the University,
b. Should possess good moral character and should not have violated any of the existing rules, regulations and policies, or committed acts inimical to the interest of the University;
c. Must not have been convicted to any offense involving moral turpitude
d. Must be of good academic standing and has not obtained a failing grade in the last two (2) semesters prior to filing of his/her candidacy, has no record of dropping (unofficially) for (2) consecutive semesters prior to election, has no incomplete grade before taking his/her oath of office, and that he/she belongs to the upper 10% of the class.
e. Should carry at least a minimum load of fifteen (15) units. However, graduating students with lesser units but who will graduate at the end of the school year are allowed to run for office.
f. Must not hold any position in other school organizations and interest clubs, nor member of any student publications’ Editorial Board.
g. Residency –

1. At least two (2) years residency in the for those candidates for President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer
2. At least one (1) year residency for other positions.

STUDENT PUBLICATION
A student publication is maintained by the student body and, as such, should meet the needs and interest of the whole studentry. It encourages creativeness and develops writing prowess and serves as a training ground and laboratory for future journalist. It is also a means of strengthening ethical values and developing moral character and personal discipline among students. Student Publication – shall refer to the independently published school paper, the Review which is the official student publication of the university., thus, such must be indicated on the masthead, cover or format of the student publication.
The operations of any student publication are subject to the Rules and Regulations Implementing the Provisions of the Journalism Act of the University as a device to protect student’s interest and not for censorship.
Colleges and other student organizations may have their own publication provided that prior approval is obtained from the Vice President for Academic Affairs through the Dean of Student Affairs.

QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Membership in the Editorial Board of the Review is accorded to any student who qualifies in the screening process conducted by the duly designated Screening Board. In addition, the following criteria must be met:

a. must be a bona fide student of the University, having enrolled not less than 18 academic units; however, graduating students with lesser units but who will graduate at the end of the school year are qualified.
b. must not hold any position in any school organization or interest club;
c. must not have obtained a failing grade in any academic subject, has no record of dropped and incomplete marks. However, in the case of the Editor-in-Chief, Associate Editor or Managing Editor, he must not have obtained a grade lower than 2.5 in any academic subject for two semesters preceding his/her assumption as member of the Editorial Staff.
d. must be a person of good moral character;
e. must not have violated any of the existing rules and regulations of the University;
f. must not have been convicted by final judgment of any offense involving moral turpitude and acts prejudicial to the interests of the students and the; University;
g. must have a two-year residence in the University for the position of Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor; and a one-year residence for the Associate Editor, News Editor, Literary Editor, Feature Editor and Lay-out Artist; and
h. must have passed the competency examinations administered by the Screening Board. (See Appendix A)

UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES
There are activities in Northwestern University which call for mandatory participation and attendance of students, including but not limited to the following:

a. Foundation Day Celebration
b. Intramurals
c. Recognition and Graduation Programs
d. Special school activities which the University or the CHED may prescribe from time to time
e. Other official meetings or convocations

Special Events
The different department organizations and interest clubs are encouraged to sponsor conferences, seminars, symposia, fora, fellowships, and the like, every semester with the objective of developing students, not only intellectually but also morally, spiritually and socially.
Approval of Student Activities

In-Campus Activities

1. All requests for the conduct of in-campus activities must be submitted to the Office of Student Affairs for verification before submission to the President for approval.
2. No other activities are allowed one week before the major examinations and during University events.
3. The activity must be part of the submitted tentative Calendar of Activities of the organization, association or interest club at the beginning of the semester of every academic year.
4. No activity shall be conducted on campus without prior approval of the VPAA and the University President.

Off-campus trips/activities
The University shall ensure sustainable teaching and learning delivery process through the conduct off-campus activities-whether local or international by aligning its institutional policies with pertinent laws and issuances by proper authorities.

a. Local Off-campus trips/activities

In accordance with the pertinent provisions of RA 7772 otherwise known as the Higher Education Act of 1984, Batas Pambansa Blg.232 which states that, “The State shall exercise reasonable supervision over all higher education institutions.” and by virtue of Commission en Banc Resolution No. 540-2017 dated July 18,2017 adopting the policies and guidelines on local off-campus trips and activities, the off-campus activities and observe due diligence and strict adherence to requirement set forth by the said CMO.
The school shall inform CHEDROs on the nature of the educational tours and/or field Trips to include: purpose, schedule, destinations and cost and submit a report on the matter to the CHED Regional Offices concerned at least one month before the opening of classes for every academic year. And submit certificate of compliance 2-weeks prior to the intended off-campus trip.
Off-campus trips or activities may either be co-curricular or non-curricular. All off– campus activities need to comply with the requirements of CMO No. 63, s.2017.
The following minimum number of supervising faculty shall be required corresponding to the number of students:

One (1)—————————————–10-40 students
Two (2)—————————————–50-80 students
Three (3)—————————————90-120 students
Four (4)—————————————130-160 students

Note: the number of supervising faculty may be increased depending upon the nature of the off-campus activity;
(See Appendix J for CMO No.63, s.2017 and institutional policies and guidelines on Local off-campus trips)

b. International trips/OJT

As per Article VI, CMO 63 s.2017, international educational tours or field trips are excluded being governed by CMO No.26, s.2015.Local and international internship, practicum, and on-the-job training (OJT), shipboard training programs are governed by CMO No.22,s.2013 and CMO No.104,s.2017. (See Appendix for Guidelines on International Trips/OJT)

c. Outreach activities

1. Members participating in the outreach activity should specify their assigned responsibility in the program. Members who have no responsibilities in the program are not allowed to go.
2. Outreach activities must pass through the Center for Community and Social Development

All activities undertaken onsite and off-campus must be undertaken with a Project Proposal which can be secured from the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) at least five (5) days prior to the intended date. Project proposal must be with due recommendation from the Office of the Vice-President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA) and approval by the University President. Absence of any prior approval from the President or duly-authorized representatives, the proposed program or activity shall not be conducted. Prior coordination should also be made with the Office of the Vice-President for Administration and Physical Plant Development Office (PPDO) for the use of facilities and technical support. The project proposal with or without budgetary requirement must pass the Finance Office for budget monitoring.
The University reserves the right to disapprove activities when non-conformity to the guidelines is evident. All off-campus activities will be suspended due to inclement weather and the like.

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VII. STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES

VII. STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES

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