By Chaz Vanhaltren and Kate Giordan Flores
The Silliman University Board of Trustees (SU-BOT) proposed a succession plan to fill leadership vacancies and “maintain the smooth delivery of university services” this school year.
It aims to ensure continuity when a University post is reassigned or promoted, through replacement plans and hiring timelines.
SU-BOT Chairperson Ricardo Balbido Jr. said this new system covers both academic and administrative positions to prevent gaps in daily operations.
“For example, if a [college] dean is transferred to another area, there should already be someone identified in the succession plan who can immediately take over […] The same applies to administrative positions,” he said.
The SU-BOT Chairperson also said they aim to balance promotions within the University from outsourcing faculty since “they can also bring fresh perspectives and new ideas.”
The plan comes as the University expects around 12 to 15 employees to retire this year and another 15 by 2027, including faculty members with master’s and doctoral degrees.
Balbido noted that the SU-BOT does not handle the daily University operations and relies on the president’s recommendations for hiring new staff.
SU Vice-president for Academic Affairs and Research (VPAAR) Dr. Lily Ann Bautista said she endorses new faculty, while complaints, grievances and government actions are handled by the respective University offices.
In the absence of a University president, a transition team composed of the VPAAR, Chief Financial Officer, and Legal Counsel was previously established to manage operations.
Academic developments
Meanwhile, Balbido said SU plans to integrate AI into the “delivery of learning while ensuring it follows ethical standards.”
“[The ethical standards] have to be disseminated soon to the faculty to be able to really guide them in how to handle these challenges,” he said.
Other initiatives the SU-BOT aims to maximize available classrooms and offer evening classes for students who prefer night schedules.
Balbido said many classrooms are vacant during certain hours, such as 7 to 8 a.m. and 1 to 2 p.m., which causes shortages.
“We also want to eliminate the mindset that certain classrooms or laboratories belong exclusively to one college. University facilities should be shared and optimized for everyone’s benefit,” he said.
The Facilities Management and Administrative Services office will oversee the shared use of classrooms and laboratories to ensure that facilities are used efficiently.
