May 3, 2021

Ms. Edna Marizza C. Santos

Assistant to the President/Assistance Vice President for Academic Affairs
Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness
This University

Ms. Santos:

The School of Business and Accountancy Student Council of the Holy Angel
University is the highest student governing body of the said college. It aims to provide
beneficial services in both academic and non-academic endeavors to its constituents. It
consists of student leaders who whole-heartedly took an oath to provide selfless
service to both administrators and students.

Upon the meeting dated May 01, 2021, the announcement that was made by Dean
Dr. Maria Lina T. Ramoneda stated that the qualifying examinations for the incoming
3rd year and 4th year Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA) students will push
through. The qualifying examination for the incoming 4th year will be on May 31,
June 2, and June 4, while the qualifying examinations for the incoming 3rd year will
be on June 7, 9, and 11. The student leaders immediately relayed the information to
the student body to receive feedback on how the qualifying examination could be
made less difficult for the students given the current pandemic.

The students would like to appeal for the cancellation of qualifying examinations
and its removal from the current retention policy of the 2nd year and 3rd year
students. The degree of difficulty of the qualifying examinations will now be
amplified by the emotional, mental, and technological hindrances brought about
by our current situation.

We understand that taking and passing the qualifying examination has been the
school’s way of identifying the students who could still pursue the Accountancy
Program. However, given the current situation, the qualifying examination may
impose more disadvantages and has a lesser chance of meeting its end goal. We do
not wish to escape this step towards achieving our dreams, but we are at a time
where taking these steps has become more challenging than what we have
planned for, entering into this program. Four main points were raised by the
students and they are as follows:

1. Due to the implementation of the lockdown browser and some other protocols,
the students who would like to take the qualifying examinations are left with limited
options.
 2. The qualifying examinations that will be taken online are not the most
effective assessment of the students’ learnings and capabilities. The capability
and opportunity of the students to learn are limited on the platform and setup
that we currently have, and students face difficulty in studying due to the
demands of online classes.

3. Technical difficulties may prevail during the examination period,

thereby affecting the results of the exam takers.

4. An online setup is not a conducive environment for these

examinations.

In line with the four main points that were raised by the students-leaders, the following
are the response of Dr. Ramoneda, Dean of the School of Business and
Accountancy, and the program coordinators:

1. The dean has suggested for the students to be resourceful. Dean

Ramoneda recommended students to source out gadgets specifically required
by the Lockdown Browser from Barangay Halls and Relatives. As for the
longevity of the battery power of the devices, power banks and/or backup
gadgets should be kept on hand in case of technical difficulties or network
problems.

2. As what has been stated in the meeting, the qualifying examination, no

matter what event or circumstance there may occur, shall resume. The
qualifying examination is a must to determine who shall retain in the BSA
Program. Dean Ramoneda mentioned (in the previous meetings) that we are
already given ample time to prepare for the examinations.

3. Students are expected to be resourceful and alert if this problem occurs

during the time of examination. Moreover, the students need to have backup
data and must secure a stable internet connection.

4. The SBA administration advised students to inform their co-household

members ahead of the examination date. Family members are expected to be
prepared also and to act suitably.

The following subpoints are meant to elaborate the four main points of the students’
concerns:

Subpoint 1.1. The use of a lockdown browser as an internal control can only be
accessed through Laptop, Portable Computer, or IPad. 59 second-year students use
a cellphone or tablet in their online learning, while 68 third-year students use the
same. Because of the requirement to use the lockdown browser, students without
laptops or PC units are compelled to source out such resources, and if in case they
are unable to do so, they might not be able to take the examination.
 LOCKDOWN BROWSER FEATURES

Will only work with: Will not work with:

Windows-based PC or Laptop • Cellphones

• Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10*
*includes x86 32 and 64bit processors
and ARM 64bit processors using x86
emulation
• 200 MB of free hard disk space

OSX-based Mac • Android Tablets

• MacOS 10.12 to 11.1
• 200MB permanent space on the hard
drive
• Safari must be in proper working order

IOS-based iPad • Windows 10S is not a

• iOS: 11.0+ compatible operating system.
• Must have a compatible LMS
integration

Internet Bandwidth
• Minimum of 400Kbps (students)

Web Camera
• Minimum of 0.5 Megapixel

Memory
• Windows: 2 GB RAM
• MAC: 2
Sourced by Accountancy Program Coordinators, UW Navigation, and Mercer (2021)

Subpoint 1.2. The implementation of new protocols requires the students to have two
gadgets in taking the examination, one for Zoom and one for Canvas. There is no
assurance that the gadgets of the exam takers are capable of handling all these
applications for more than 6 hours per day. In addition, there are students that are not
equipped with two gadgets which is a prerequisite in taking the examination. This can
pose a threat to the said students as this may be the reason for their inability to take
the qualifying examination.
 Statistics on number of gadgets owned per student

2nd year BSA

Only one (1) gadget 290

Two (2) gadgets 253

Three (3) or more gadgets 21

TOTAL 564 students

3rd year BSA

Only one (1) gadget 271

Two (2) gadgets 264

Three (3) or more gadgets 14

TOTAL 549 students

Sourced by Accountancy Program Coordinators – Qualifying Exams Orientation (2021)

Subpoint 1.3. According to the official website of Respondus (2021), the creators
strongly recommend using an Ethernet (wired) Internet Connection with a speed of
at least 10Mbps or higher while taking the exam in Lockdown Browser. With two
other applications required to be used (canvas and zoom) together with the
Lockdown browser during the exam, this will increase network bandwidth that may
result in internet interruptions. Hence, this will greatly affect those students who
only have access to mobile data and have an unstable internet connection
because of their location. Worse, this may be the reason for their inability to take
the qualifying examination.

The following subpoints are meant to elaborate on the second main point:

Subpoint 2.1. The students are limited not only by the tools of the administration
but also the strength of internet connectivity of the examiners. Thus, administering
a proctored exam is not a feasible option as it could pose technical issues,
especially for those who only rely on mobile data.
Subpoint 2.2. The students’ time is divided between meeting the current semester’s
requirements and reviewing the qualifying examination. Thus, the students
preparation and review for the exam is limited due to time constraints. The
importance of focusing on reviewing for the qualifying examination alone is
highlighted by the fresh graduates’ practice of dedicating six full months in review
centers to refresh all of their knowledge. Thus, for today’s students, juggling between
reviewing for the semester and the qualifying examination is burdensome. Unlike the
previous batches, the current educational system heavily relies on output-based
learning. This is evident by the previous concerns raised by the student leaders
where students are experiencing burnout due to heavy workload.

Subpoint 2.3. The students’ Grade Point Average (GPA) from 1 year to 2 year is
st nd

more credible criteria in choosing who will proceed with the program rather than
online qualifying examinations. Grades accumulated before the pandemic were hard-
earned. The students exerted efforts in maintaining the grade quota to continue
pursuing the program, and the professors are all witnesses to that. Instead of relying
on a single online examination, using the students’ GPA would allow the
administration to measure their learnings and capabilities on countless quizzes,
examinations, and activities.

Subpoint 2.4. According to the PRC, the Certified Public Accountants Licensure
Examination (CPALE) is postponed again and rescheduled to a later date (October
2021) for several reasons such as the surge of COVID-19 and the additional
expenses for the examiners and licensure personnel (RT-PCR test and/or
Certification of Quarantine). Considering there are possible BSA students who wish to
take the exam, the challenges in the operational and logistics requirements may pose
challenges in the conduct of the Qualifying Examination via Online.
In contemplating this alternative, we refer to several top-performing universities in the
Philippines that also offer the same program. The University of Sto. Tomas (UST)
only requires that its students maintain a certain quota, and no longer administers a
qualifying examination. The De La Salle University (DLSU) also has no qualifying
examinations and does not require a maintaining grade from its students. The
Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) used to base qualification on a written
examination that makes up 40% of the decision; the students’ General Weighted
Average (GWA) makes up the remaining 60% of the weight. However, they have
removed the written examination due to the pandemic. Similarly, the Far Eastern
University (FEU) has waived their qualifying examinations completely.
The details below support the third main point:

Subpoint 3.1. Not all students are equipped with high-performing gadgets that would
allow them to take the qualifying examinations without any interruptions. Among the
students’ experiences with their gadgets include experiencing a blue/black screen,
some laptops automatically shut down due to overheating, slow performance of the
laptops or computers, and others have short battery life. Some students also rely on
desktop computers and laptops that do not have a battery of their own. Hence, on an
instance of power interruption, their devices will shut down. Some devices will take
several minutes to startup. Because of this, the requirement to have another backup
gadget that could support the Lockdown browser or Respondus is necessary.

Subpoint 3.2. Feedback from students who have taken the major examinations
includes issues with the Canvas platform. Some students experienced problems with
their examinations not being synced properly, which resulted in almost an hour of
delay. Others had issues with their browsers lagging, which resulted in submitting the
examination prematurely. These are only some of the concerns identified in using
Canvas as a platform for synchronous exams, which could manifest during the
qualifying examinations thereby affecting the performance of students.
To detail the fourth main point, the following information are provided:

Subpoint 4.1. Too much screen time can cause eye strain, dry eyes, blurred vision,
and headache (CareWell Urgent Care, 2018). As such, taking an online examination
may cause health problems for the students. The existence of these stressors could
also lead to a decrease in performance rate.

Subpoint 4.2. Spending too much screen time also leads to less efficient information
processing (CareWell Urgent Care, 2018). The excessive screen time of more than
two to three hours of exposure in electronic devices can affect the brain, and this
posits consequences on the cognitive and motor development, learning and memory,
emotional regulation, and the overall health of an individual (Neophytu, Manwell, &
Eikelboom, 2019). Therefore, the chances of showing the full knowledge of the
students also decrease. This has been experienced by students while taking major
examinations on Canvas. After only a few hours of taking an exam, some students
have already shared experiences with dizziness, mental fatigue, and screen
exhaustion. This can be expected to be amplified if students are to take multiple 3-
hour examinations per day as required by the qualifying exams, thereby potentially
affecting their performance on the tests.
Subpoint 4.3. Past qualifying examinations have been taken on campus, where the
environment is strictly controlled and made ideal for examiners. However, as we
have observed in the past months of online instruction, not all homes are made for
learning. In this case, not all students have controlled and isolated spaces in their
homes that would make for a conducive environment to take such a crucial
examination. Since the onset of the pandemic, staying at home has been strictly
enforced by the government; thus, finding a conducive place elsewhere is not an
advisable option. Ensuring the safety of students at this time must be the top priority
without compromising the students’ chances of continuing in their chosen program.

This is our primary petition which is to cancel the qualifying exam for incoming 3rd
year and 4th year students; however, if we will not be given the chance, we would
like to appeal for the administration of qualifying examinations for it to be accessible
to everyone. The following are the recommendations that we are presenting:

a. The usage of mirrors at the back of the students as an alternative to using

another extra device to view the screen of the examiner;
b. To remove the mandatory usage of respondus and lockdown browser to ease
network bandwidth issues;
c. To move the qualifying examination of the 2nd year Bachelor of Science in
Accountancy (BSA) students in December after the 1st semester next academic
year;
d. To reduce the coverage of the examination, especially the topics that were not
discussed thoroughly;
e. The basis of the results for the qualified students would be 60% from the
qualifying examination and the 40% will be the cumulative average grades of the
students' major subjects beginning in first year.

The School of Business and Accountancy has been a crucial factor in our growth not
only as individuals but also as future professionals. We are very much grateful to
have been honed by your administration’s expertise in the field, and truly value the
learning experiences you have provided for us. However, the qualifying examination
is not a fair basis of what the students are capable of, especially now that stress,
anxiety, and mental problems are at an all-time high. The pandemic has taken a lot
from us, and we recognize that these circumstances are beyond our control. We are
thus appealing for your kindest consideration on this matter.
Thank you, and Laus Deo Semper.

Respectfully:
College Student Council – School of Business and Accountancy

Joshua G. Liscano Chelsie Danelle A. Reyes

CSC-SBA Chairperson CSC-SBA Vice-chairperson

Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants - Holy Angel University

Axylla Zyrah B. Mendoza Kyla Andrade

JPIA-HAU President JPIA-HAU Vice President
for Academic Affairs

Hazel T. Miranda Je-anne Rose C. Manalac

JPIA-HAU Vice President JPIA-HAU Vice President
for Non-Academic Affairs for Membership

Daniel Roy S. David Kristen Denielle R. Gomez

JPIA-HAU Vice President JPIA-HAU Vice President
for Finance for Audit

Darwin B. Dionisio Klein Melanie P. Sundiam

JPIA-HAU Vice President JPIA-HAU Vice President
for Communications for Multimedia and Graphics

Ivan Roland Q. Cortez

Mariella Danielle I. Cariaga
JPIA-HAU Asst. Vice President
JPIA-HAU Asst. Vice President
for Non-Academic Affairs
for Academic Affairs
Justina Mikaela S. Marasigan Shyenen Denisse C. Infante
JPIA-HAU Asst. Vice President JPIA-HAU Secretary General
for Membership

The Enterprise

Sophia Ariola Chester Cortez

The Enterprise, Editor-in-Chief The Enterprise, Managing Editor

Mylene Arceo Lyzette Kho

The Enterprise, Associate Editor The Enterprise, Associate Editor
– Internal – External

SBA Organizations

JURIS ORBIS MANSOC

Hershey Maine Punongbayan

Juris Orbis, Chief Executive Jovi C. Gregorio
Officer ManSoc, President
 CLASS PRESIDENTS

A221, Justine G. Tadeo A234, Lianna P. Ramos

A222, Joanna Grazel S. Santos A235, Justine C. Magtoto

A223, Ericka Sanchez A236, Gabriel Adrian D. Navarro

A224, Khryss Kyle T. Dueñas A237, Angel Mae T. Rivera

A225, Darele Marc Quiambao A239, Alyssa Mae T. Nacu

A226, John Victor D. Umali A331, Hazel T. Miranda

A231, Jyra Mariel R. Crispin A332, Haven Raye R. Celis

A232, Prixie Jhyles Bondoc A333, Shaine Karizz M. Cortez

A233, Rhia Mae Pacelo A334, Frenzel Annie M. Lapuz

A335, Kate Josephine Rose M.
Lacap

A336, Eunice Eve F. Abrazado

A337, Maria Nieves G. Quilala

A338, Froilan Cezar Gamboa

A339, Joy Marie N. Baltazar

A340, Kim Catherine N. Dizon

A341, John Aivan De Jesus

A343, Joanne Gail L. Panlilio

A344, Arrianne Mae S. Par

References
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your health. https://www.carewellurgentcare.com/2018/07/19/the-effects-
toomuch-screen-time-has-on-your-health/
Harmon, O., Lambrinos, J., & Buffolino, J. (2010, September 15). Assessment
design and cheating risk in online instruction. UWG.
https://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/Fall133/harmon_lambrinos_buffolino 1
Three Main Reasons Why Your Wi-Fi Is Dropping Out. Phoenix Internet. (2019,
January 21). https://www.phoenixinternet.com/three-main-reasons-why-
yourwi-fi-is-dropping-out/.
Neophytou, E.J., Manwell, L.A., & Eikelboom, R. (2019). Effects of Excessive Screen
Time on
Neurodevelopment, Learning, Memory, Mental Health, and Neurodegeneration: a
Scoping Review.
https://www.researchgate.net/deref/http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1007
%2Fs11469-019-00182-2
Professional Regulation Commission. (2021, March 25). Postponing the May 2021
Certified Public Accountants Licensure Examination and Rescheduling
Thereof to October 10, 11, & 12. 2021.
https://www.prc.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2021-
1335%20rev.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2zKyZbJEUFGlDWJSRDecaaK5A_EyCa7BfL9
_XGSBwJ4cKTlII0bByykIk
Respondus (2021). Troubleshooting for Respondus Lockdown Browser.
https://www.uu.edu/it/includes/respondustroubleshooting-student.pdf.

UW Navigation. (2021). RESPONDUS/LOCKDOWN BROWSER

TROUBLESHOOTING.
http://www.uwyo.edu/wyocourses/students/studenttroubleshooting.html?fbclid
=IwAR1QmjYbRfNybXFgO2HMhRxS8LksKvJ40yMCEfbNNKb1j_PuIDyIxS1
Tfi8
Mercer. (2021) TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS. https://mettl.com/en/technical-
requirements/?fbclid=IwAR1Hmr0UuoH9LNhCy3i7cHAWSBjbN_VcwrFWMw
akLvhHweQoNyTVC8SQxc8