THE USM CRISIS DRAGS ON; QUO VADIS MY ALMA MATER?

The University of Southern Mindanao, the biggest state agricultural university in the Southern Philippines and the school where I earned by college and masteral degrees, is in the throes of death.

For about three months now, classes have been disrupted and even the final examinations of the students have been affected by the protracted protest action initiated by a group with nebulous, if not suspicious, intentions.

The unrest started shortly before the scheduled reappointment of the University President, Dr. Jesus Derije, a veterinarian who was recommended to that position four years ago by the incumbent Governor of North Cotabato.

It appeared that there was a falling out between Dr. Derije and the incumbent Governor and prior to the meeting of the Board of Regents (BOR) to determine whether the USM President should be reappointed to a second 4-year term, the protest actions started.

The protesters called for the rejection by the BOR of Dr. Derije’s reappointment, alleging among others that the USM President was facing corruption charges before the Ombudsman and was involved in other irregularities in the university affairs.

To the consternation of the demonstrators, however, the BOR reappointed Dr. Derije with some members of the Board saying that the charges against Derije are better left to the Ombudsman to evaluate and act on.

This development resulted in more violent activities within the University with several policemen who tried to disperse the protesters getting injured in the process.

The reports of the unrest reached the higher levels of government with DILG Secretary Mar Roxas issuing directives to the local officials and the police to restore order in the USM.

When the protests continued, Dr. Derije, who reportedly received death threats, went on leave purportedly to travel abroad and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) appointed a caretaker, Dr. Teresita Cambel, concurrently president of another state college.

For still unknown reasons, however, the protests continued.

Honestly, I cannot anymore comprehend the reasons for the continued demonstration.

More than that, I cannot understand why the protest should even affect the conduct of the final examinations for students, including those who will be graduating this year.

Last Monday, I met a group of USM students at the Davao International Airport who were bound for Cebu City.

They complained that they had to take their final examinations in their boarding houses and dormitories because the conduct of the final examinations was reportedly prevented by the demonstrators and protesters.

The parents of the graduating students who have worked hard to send their children to the university to finish a college degree are getting restless.

One text messsage I received said: “We the parents do not care about Derije’s case. But we are warning the people behind these demonstrations, if our children cannot graduate because of them, they will have to pay.”

Who will be the people who “will have to pay?” I do not know them.

Who are behind them? What is their real agenda? These are questions waiting for answers.

One thing is certain though: my beloved Alma Mater is in crisis and in the throes of death and nobody seems capable of handling the problem and the situation.

(Photo credit: This photo downloaded from the USM website shows first year students undergoing orientation.)