Every now and then, I’ll address some frequently asked questions in a Discipline Office FAQ entry. I’ll use this to address specific concerns raised to me. Unlike announcements in the Pisay Direct page, these entries will be a bit more detailed as I take time to explain the reasons for why we do certain things.
This first is a short one.
ON THE DENGUE UNIFORM
Question: Sir, what if I don’t have light-colored blue pants? Just regular blue?
Consider this image:
Ideally, we would prefer that you wear the type of blue on the right (light blue) but we understand that a lot of you own the type on the left (darker, newer). So if you come to school with the left kind of blue, will that get you in trouble?
Understand that the dengue uniform is a precautionary measure. This is in place to manage risk. With your best interests in mind, the school does what it can within its power to ensure your health and safety. Ultimately though, the only one who can guarantee your health and safety is you.
The thicker garment actually goes a long way to protecting you. Having a lighter shade of blue further minimizes risk and hence offers the best protection. But this alone isn’t the full solution. We’d still like you to wear insect repellent and steer away from dark and dingy places with a lot of mosquitoes. These are all guidelines. How far you go into following these rules reflects your own effort into keeping yourself healthy.
Having said this, I hope you comply with the light-colored blue as much as you can. If your reason is that you don’t have any other pair (and I know jeans can be expensive), then it will fall on you to look after yourself a little bit more. I trust you guys are smart enough to do that.
We will, however, have to draw the line with wearing blue, or what can pass for blue such as faded black or ash gray. This is still a uniform after all.
ON THE LEAVING OF BAGS IN THE GAZEBOS
Question: Sir, is it okay to leave our things in the gazebos?
Let me answer with a question: Were you ever allowed at all?
Alright, here’s the thing. I’m working on the principle of teaching you guys to be responsible for your things. I understand why you leave them lying around and that’s why I’ve been working to setup our bag deposit areas. Nonetheless, we do have to deal with the problem of lost items and the heavier issue of theft. For that alone, it’s best you don’t leave your stuff just anywhere.
Nonetheless, we’ll be more reasonable. Here is how our rules go especially once the bag deposit area in the back lobby is established.
Leave bags unsupervised in public places at your own risk. Public places include the cafeteria, the front lobby, and the gazebo areas. Leaving bags in these places with minimal supervision (at least one of your peers) will be tolerated only during the following times: the 9:10 to 9:30 break, the 11:10 to 12:50 lunch or universal break, or the 2:30 to 2:50 break.
During PE and CAT time, it is highly recommended to use the bag deposit areas or better your lockers.
Things left unsupervised during or beyond the allowable times will be confiscated and must be redeemed in the Discipline Office.
Simple as that.
ON THE FAIR USE POLICY
Question: Sir, how is the Fair Use Policy coming along?
Pretty good. I’ve presented it to the faculty and we’re optimistic we can get it done. The draft on this site is already out of date and we’re working with a sharper and more well-defined version.
What’s happened is that I have encountered a happy delay. Apparently my proposal has hit the right chord somewhere and I now have to adapt it to the dormitories as well. So keep your fingers crossed! I hope we can look forward to more sensible rules regarding our electronic devices in campus very soon.
