CONVERSION OF SEMESTRAL TERM TO TRIMESTRAL TERM FOR THE

BULACAN AGRICULTURAL STATE COLLGE (BASC)

GRADUATE SCHOOL
A Concept Paper

EDNA MAE D. CRUZ

Program Chair, MA Ed
Institute of Education, Arts and Sciences (IEAS)
+63943 091 1169
Author

RATIONALE:

The vision of BASC to become an outstanding and globally competitive higher education
institution motivated its goal to internationalize their programs and the experience of its students
and faculty. This also prompted the College to shift its academic calendar from June-March to
August-May effected August 2016 as per BASC Board of Trustees (BoT) Resolution 16-1084.
(73rd Meeting, August 25, 2016).

This was followed by the vertical articulation of the graduate programs of the College in
response to the recommendation of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Regional
Quality Assessment Team (RQAT) during its visit in December 2016. Based on CHEd
Memorandum Order (CMO) 36, Series of 1998, the vertical articulation of graduate programs by
discipline, if feasible is highly encouraged by the Commission. Hence, the Ma Ed and PhD Devt
Ed programs were offered by IEAS while the Master of Science in Agriculture program was
offered under the Institute of Agriculture (IA) as per BASC-BoT Resolution No. 16-1091.

The verticalization of the programs was implemented and embraced by graduate students.
However, the offering of summer classes became a challenge due to the changes brought about
by the shift and verticalization. Majority of Ma Ed and PhD students are elementary and
secondary teachers under the Department of Education (DepEd). Formerly, summer classes are
conducted Fridays and Saturdays of April and May. Since, the College shifted its academic
calendar, summer classes would start in June which jibed simultaneously with the DepEd
opening of classes.

It is in this light that the conversion of the semestral to trimestral term graduate school is
suggested. Instead of carrying out summer classes on Saturdays and Sundays to comply with the
needed school days, the first, second and third semester will be of equal length, which is a four-
month long. Each semester will last for fourteen weeks only and every subject/course has four-
hour duration to comply with CMO No. 1, Series of 2011 stating that the academic year shall
consist of not less than 18 weeks a semester, or its equivalent of normally six school days each
week, exclusive of approved vacations and inclusive of legal and special holidays or days for
special activities. The trimestral scheme can also increase enrolment, the conduct of classes
would have very little down-time and courses may pick up speed quite quickly.
PRO:

The trimester calendar divides the school year into three semesters: the first semester will
be June to September, the second from October to January and the third will be February to
May. If the new academic calendar of the College will be considered, very little adjustment will
be done and the first semester will be August to November, the second from December to March
and third will be April to July.

Only three classes per term. More terms per year mean more opportunities to take classes;
so on the average students would take only three classes per session. Students can better
focus on their classes since they have less to worry about and testing seasons will not be as
stressful with fewer assessments to clear.

Short terms. Each term lasts for only 14 weeks. This allows students to explore various
subjects and classes without feeling like they have to be devoted for half a year.
 Nine units per semester. Instead of four semesters and one summer spent for the 39-unit
masteral program and six semesters and two summers for the 60-unit doctoral program, a
student will be able to finish the program earlier.

Less conflict of schedule with students. Majority of the students of the graduate programs are
DepEd teachers and they will be benefitted since they will go to the College only on
Saturdays.

Enrolment increase. With more opportunities to take classes, students will find the
trimestral scheme advantageous to graduating and getting promoted.

CON
Faster paced learning. The rigor and amount of information taught in a trimester class is
equivalent to those of a semester class. In exchange for taking fewer classes per term,
students really have to gear up and brace themselves for the intense pace of their classes, or
they can easily fall behind even in the short 14-week period.

Lengthened class period. The College will have to provide more resources for payment of
increased electricity charges due to classes offered in the third period which would last until
7.30 PM.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE EVERY SATURDAY:

Period Subject Time

First Subject 1 7:00 11:00 AM
Second Subject 2 11: 30 3:30 PM
Third Subject 3 3:30 7:30 PM

FACULTY: There are three groups of BASC graduate faculty: those who are on Visiting
Faculty (VF) Basis, on Teachers Leave Basis (TL) and on Vacation Sick Leave Basis (VSL). If
the trimester scheme will be adopted by the College, TL teachers shall be converted to VSL,
making them regular graduate faculty. Graduate faculty may handle three to six units of graduate
classes.

VF
Dr. Enriqueta C. Gabriel
Dr. Anadolia M. Cruz
Dr. Jose M. Ignacio
Dr. Conrado J. Oliveros
Dr. Joseph S. Bareng
Dr. Cecilia S. Custodio
Dr. Joel I. Vasallo
Dr. Ramilo C. Cruz
Dr. Carlito G. Dela Cruz
Dr. Ciriaco M. Garcia
Atty. Jeremiah N. Crisostomo
Dr. Marinella P. Garcia Sy
TL
Dr. Cecilia S. Santiago
Engr. Alfredo L. Taluban Jr.
Ms. Emma L. Villacorta
Ms. Edna Mae D. Cruz
VSL
Dr. Ofelia V. Silverio
Dr. Priscilla V. San Pedro
Dr. Lolito B. San Pedro
Dr. Alicia SP. Gomez
Dr. Josefina C. Mananguit
Dr. Josephine G. De Guzman
Dr. Priscilla P. De Guzman
Dr. Ma. Leonora C. Sta. Ana
Ms. Leah V. Indon
Ms. Rhodora A. Iracta
Mr. Herbert M. De Jesus
Engr. Anthony C. Ortega

PHYSICAL FACILITY: Lecture and laboratory rooms will be maximized and their
productivity will be increased.
ENROLMENT PERIOD: A week will be intended for submission of grades and another week
will be intended for enrolment.

RESEARCH/EXTENSION OPPORTUNITIES: Critical subjects such as the core subject may

provide an opportunity to conduct meaningful researches and extension projects for added
productivity.
 Republic of the Philippines
BULACAN AGRICULTURAL STATE COLLEGE (BASC)
Institute Of Education, Arts and Sciences
Pinaod, San Ildefonso, Bulacan

Dr. GERARDO I. MENDOZA

President
This College

Dear Sir:

Good day!

The vision to become an exceptional and noticeable advanced higher education institution
motivated BASCs goal to internationalize their programs and the experience of its students and
workforce. This also prompted the College to alter its academic calendar from June-March to
August-May and followed by the vertical articulation of the graduate programs.

It is in this light that the undersigned would like to submit this concept paper entitled
Conversion of Semestral Term to Trimestral Term for the BASC Graduate School for your
consideration. This is a solution to the challenges brought about by the academic shift and
verticalization.

Thank you very much!

Respectfully yours,

EDNA MAE D. CRUZ

Faculty, IEAS

Noted:

OFELIA V. SILVERIO, Ph. D.

Dean

Recommending Approval:

PRISCILLA V. SAN PEDRO, Ed. D.

Vice President, ACSA

APPROVED:

GERARDO I. MENDOZA, Ph. D.

President