Student Affairs and Support Services (SASS) Council Convenes, Sets Priority Thrusts for Integrated and Re-Imagined Student Support Programs and Projects for 2022

The Student Affairs and Support Services (SASS) Division of MCC conducted its Inaugural Council Meeting on January 10,2022 presided by its council chairperson, MCC College President Michelle Aguilar-Ong, who also is the concurrent Vice-President of SASS. The first order of business was the setting of directions of student support services and programs that will be laid out for 2022, a year of expected rise in student population for the College to more than five thousand students, who will need accessible, expanded, integrated, innovative, and re-imagined student support services.

Setting up the thrusts for 2022 generally began with details on clean and good governance by subscribing to Performance Governance System (PGS) and the use of Balanced Score Cards (Norton and Kaplan, n.d). The use of this measurement system in evaluating performance will be integrated in the Division to serve as a vital and strong component of the Institution. The sole existence of SASS, as posited by Dr. Aguilar-Ong, is to cater the victims of the society and be a tool in healing their wounds from their unpleasant experiences.  It will also be the target goal for 2022 to apply for ISO certification by the end of the year as part of maintaining and upgrading the quality assurance of the SASS Division. Lastly, the College’s high aim to be a university is directed towards having Student Affairs and Support Services provide programs that are leveled with the premier universities of the country. Hence, benchmarking will be conducted with the top academic institutions that have remarkable support services for their students.

This is the first time that the council was convened since its creation by virtue of BOT. Resolution No. 54 Series of 2021. It is chaired by the Vice-President for Student Affairs and Support Services with the Assistant VP and all the unit heads of the division as members covering the College’s Health, Guidance, Library, Character Development, Digihubs, Sports, and Student Affairs Services. The Vice-President for Academic Affairs is also a sitting ex-officio member of the council. The Council is tasked to review and deliberate annual activities of the student organizations; cascade the priorities of the Management to the student organizations; formulate policies and standards relative to student reinforcements, grievances and support services; and implement an Annual Student Success and Support Program Plan.