May 26, 2020

JOSEF VIL S. VILLANUEVA Ph.D.

DEAN – College of Engineering & Architecture

DR. VILLANUEVA:

Our warmest greetings!

We humbly ask for your utmost consideration for bringing into your attention this concern. We’ve mustered
up the courage to come up with this “SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN” in support to our Professor: Engr. Irismay
Jumawan. We, the undersigned appreciated so much her desire to make us learn at this trying times. We
have some worries, though, we are assured of getting a passing grade. The fact remains that we need to
hurdle another milestone such as passing the Engineering Licensure examination. Deep inside our hearts we
are afraid that what we have learned may not be enough to hurdle such eligibility without painstakingly
learning everything that we ought to learn.

For us, she’s a brave mentor and we derived our strength from her. Bravery involves laying down her life for
something greater than one’s comfort zone, or for us , her students. It involves taking risk of getting infected
outside her home just to get better signal and much more to be humble by asking her students on how to
increase higher signal just so she could reach out to her students through video conferencing. This is the real
sacrifice that our teacher has shown and we were inspired at home and we are surely benefitted even when
we just listen and look at the student reporting. Our idle moments and useless time spent in video games are
diverted to virtual learning.

We strongly support our Teacher’s sincere intention to make us understand the lessons which will come out
in the forthcoming test she will give, as a requirement for graduation. Flexible learning is in accordance to
NORSU Advisory #5 that has been released during this pandemic. She attempted to have an extra mile in her
teaching, but it was cut off by some students who don’t have an access to internet. She has taught us to be
globally competitive by indulging us in a flexible manner of learning thru tele-conferencing, but it broke her
heart for such attempt was brought up to the attention of the Board of Regent. We understand, it was an
exercise of their freedom to express their opinions, but at the expense of hampering also our chance to
learn. What matters most is that we have reciprocated the Teacher’s noble intention by also doing an extra
mile to learn in a flexible and modern way.

“Teachers are persons in authority when in lawful discharge of duties and responsibilities, therefore shall be
accorded due respect and protection.” (Commonwealth Act No. 578). Whether we join or not in the flexible
learning process, all students can pass. That’s a fact! More so, attendance to tele-conference was not
compulsory, rather it is the discretion of every student to join or not. If financial constraint is the major
hindrance for some students that they were not able to join, there is surely an alternative. The checking of
attendance during conference is a way of tracking down who gets connected with her. The truth is:
ASIDE TELECONFERENCING, WE HAVE THE OPTION TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF FILE PROVIDED BY THE
REPORTER, THUS, GIVING EVERYONE EQUAL CHANCE TO ACCESS THE REPORT IN A LESS EXPENSIVE WAY.

According to the great Philosopher, “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” So, it is good to
sacrifice some pesos for a greater cause. If we could afford to use our money for group chat and
convocations on line, why can’t we afford to join virtual learning?

Let our voices be heard too! Let us reciprocate our teacher’s dedication in teaching by doing an extra mile
and levelling up our way of learning in an environment that is customized through on-line teaching,
reporting, listening, watching and collaborative learning. That’s the true emblem of a real Norsunian.

WE REMAIN VERY RESPECTFULLY YOURS,

(Signature campaign sheet is attached. Our apology if the signatures are not live, every student who affixed
their signature has one mind and heart to the letter. Thank you so much.)