The University Student Council of the University of the Philippines Diliman (Filipino: Ang Konseho ng Mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Diliman) is the official student representative body of the Philippines' premiere institution of higher learning. As such, it represents the interests of the students within and outside the University. The University Student Council, also known as USC, exists to represent UP students in various affairs of the University, acting as the voice of students in the local, national, and international issues.
As the highest student representative body in the university, the USC is composed of members elected amongst the student body, mandated to organize and direct campaigns and activities to defend and promote students’ rights, and improve the students’ general welfare. Furthermore, it provides direct services to the student body.
Structure
Membership
Reflecting the collegiate nature of the University of the Philippines itself, USC is both an association of UP's more than 27,000 individual students and a federation of the different college student councils in UP that represent all undergraduate and graduate students.
Governance
The USC is composed of the following officers: Chairperson (who serves as chief executive officer), Vice Chairperson (who serves as convenor of the League of College Councils or LCC), and twelve (12) University Councilors, all elected at large. In addition, each degree granting college is represented in the USC by a College Representative(s).
The chairperson supervises the standing and special standing committees of the USC, which is organized at the beginning of each term.
The standing committees of the USC are: Secretariat Committee headed by the Secretary General Finance Committee headed by the Treasurer Ways and Means Committee headed by the Business Manager Mass Media Committee headed by the Public Relations Officer
Finances
The USC is financed by the compulsory Student Fund generated from the fees collected from students upon registration, sponsorships from the activities and donations. It also receives grants for specific projects and activities.
History
1913-1950
The Student Council of UP was instituted in 1913 under the auspices of UP President Barlett. Manuel Tabora of the UP College of Law was the first Chairman of the Student Council. On October 6, 1913, the USC participated in the popular demonstration in honor of Governor-General Harrison.
On December 15, 1917, the first student protest took place against a Manila police captain and his men for arresting Victoriano Yamzon during the first University Day. The police mistook the first editor of College Folio as part of an unruly crowd.
On March 12, 1918, there was a protest by Freshmen, who petitioned to Board of Regents to extend their scholarship. On July 17, 1918, students led by Carlos P. Romulo and Jose Romero held a rally from UP to Sta Cruz Bridge at The Manila Times office to protest the editorial of the newspaper criticizing UP President Ignacio Villamor.
On January 21, 1921, the Executive Committee (EC) of the University approved a memorandum embodying the idea of creating an inter-collegiate student council. In 1922 the EC approved the adoption by the student body of a so-called "bill of rights of the USC". It would take two more years before the constitutional convention for the creation of a USC would take place. The Bill of Rights resolved:
To develop university spirit among the ranks of students and promote their general welfare. To advise the President of UP on student matters, affairs, activities of distinctly inter-collegiate concern. To organize and direct student activities of inter-collegiate nature. To adopt its own Constitution and promulgate rules and by-laws for its own internal and general government. To have such powers and perform such other duties as the university authorities may from time to time grant or delegate to the USC.