By Chaz Vanhaltren
A new formal interview process for probationary appointees and applicants for vacant Silliman University Student Government (SUSG) Executive Committee chairperson and vice chairperson positions will be implemented for the academic year 2026–2027.
The amendment was introduced by SUSG 36th Student Assembly Committee on Appointments (CoAp) Chairperson Franz Miguel Tolentino during the Assembly’s 3rd Special Session last July 14.
Before the amendment, CoAp assessed applicants primarily through documentary requirements, including certificates of enrollment, grades, good moral certificates, and recommendation letters, but the revised process now adds interviews.
“The interview will serve as an additional screening mechanism that allows the CoAp to assess appointees’ qualifications beyond documentary requirements,” Tolentino said during the session.
Tolentino said the interviews will assess applicants’ knowledge of the committee, leadership and decision-making skills, time management and availability, and communication and professionalism.
The committee will implement the interview process from July through September, while the revised guidelines also require confidential evaluations from appointees’ co-chairpersons to provide insights into committee relationships, competence, and leadership suitability.
Appointees who fail to attend their scheduled interviews without valid reason or justification may have their appointments deferred or disapproved at the discretion of CoAp.
“We don’t want that to happen again, which is why we really wanted to have the interview to have an in-depth understanding of the circumstances that they’re in, so that we can truly assess and deliberate whether they really should be approved or not,” CoAp Vice Chairperson Kent Jhassiah Albon said.
Albon said the committee introduced the interview process after previous appointment cycles resulted in several appointees being disapproved because it could not fully assess their circumstances.
Previously, the guidelines restricted officers from all recognized student organizations from serving simultaneously in the Executive Committee, but the revised guidelines now limit the restriction to officers of academic organizations.
“We really saw that there’s a decrease of student leadership here in SU, so we do not want to limit everyone,” Albon said.
Albon said the revision aims to encourage more students to participate in student leadership while serving in the Executive Committee.
“When there should be changes added to the guidelines, it should be before an ongoing process begins,” Tolentino said.
Tolentino said the committee added a ratification provision requiring all amendments before the appointment process begins to prevent changes while the appointment process is ongoing.
