MSU-GSC holds General Orientation for freshmen, transferees; Urges MSUans to direct concerns across various offices

by Zhaira Macmod, John Paul Siapel

Despite the challenges of transitioning to university life, offices under the Office of Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Services (OVCSAS) welcomed freshmen and transferees through a two-day General Orientation held at the University Gymnasium of Mindanao State University - General Santos City (MSU-GSC),  exhorting students to bring their grievances to the relevant offices for resolution, September 16-17.

Offices such as Cultural Affairs Office (CAO), University Registrar, Scholarship Office, Information and Communication Technology Office (ICTO), University Library, Medical Services Department (MSD), Guidance and Counselling, and the Office of Student Development Services (OSDS) established collaboration to present their roles and services that were available for every MSUan.

© CSSHSO

Encouragement and Support 

In an interview, Engineer Joshua Marvin Noval, Director of OSDS, enforced the relevance of the orientation for the freshmen and transferees, citing recognition of the programs and services offered by the OVCSAS and its sub-offices.

“The General Orientation was created basically for our freshmen and transferees, for them to be informed of all policies in our university, may it be academic or student development. We also had a lot of offices included in our program,” he explained.

Noval enumerated the specific programs that were presented, acknowledging their main role to address issues and challenges, as well as concerns for MSUans.

“We had scholarship opportunities here, ICT, library, medical services, guidance and counseling. We also had safe space under our committee on decorum and investigation, and lastly, student development services,” Noval enumerated.

Furthermore, Noval shared the future programs and events that the OSDS would like to establish, prioritizing the safety and welfare of students on the campus.

“Under the OSDS, under OVCSAS as the head office, the closest event we had was Intramurals 2025. So, I believed that was what the freshmen and all MSU students would look forward to in our university,” he added.

Noval also encouraged every student to avail and approach these offices, making sure that their concerns were able to be addressed to proper avenues.

Lens of the Union

Moreover, as the newly elected Freshmen Union Chairperson, Winchelle Miles P. Belgera expressed that the orientation gave her a clearer understanding of school policies and resources to better support and represent her fellow freshmen.

“As the newly elected chairperson of Freshies Union, this orientation helped me better understand the school's rules and policies, which were essential in guiding my leadership. It helped me understand key rules and resources, enabling me to lead and represent freshmen confidently,” Belgera stated.

She also noted that the orientation strengthened her role as the chairperson, highlighting service and accountability.

“My understanding of the duties of being a student leader was strengthened by the orientation, which made it clear to me that being a leader involved more than just holding a position; it included serving others, leading by example, and being aware of the policies and procedures that supported the student body,” she added.

Belgera noted that freshmen often struggled with adjusting to new rules and expectations, explaining that understanding these regulations could prevent future issues.

“Getting used to a new environment with rules and expectations they were unfamiliar with was a major challenge for freshmen when it came to following school regulations. They might struggle with time management, maintaining self-discipline, or understanding the consequences of breaking rules,” she expressed.

Belgera stressed the essence of seeking help and supporting one another, encouraging freshmen to face the new chapter with courage and curiosity.

Entailing Essence and Relevance

The Freshies Union explained that its role was to represent freshmen’s concerns, provide guidance, and organize activities that supported adjustment and wellness of the first-years.

The General Orientation was divided into two cluster sessions, addressing the impending need of limitations to avoid congestion due to the population of the freshmen and transferees.

On September 16, the orientation catered to the students from the College of Agriculture (COA), College of Engineering (COE), College of Education (COED), and College of Nursing (CON), while the sessions continued with the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA), College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (CFAS), College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM), College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH), and the College of Islamic Studies and International Studies on September 17.

As stipulated under University Memorandum No. 070-25, signed by the Office of Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA), every freshman and transferee was required to take part in the orientation, pressing them to attend and to participate in the said orientation.