By Cyrus A. Natividad

The university approved the program “Sponsor-a-Work-Student”, a need-based project which aims to help work students finish their education — through sponsorships of any faculty and staff who will open their hearts and homes to students.

Central Philippine University’s Work Student Study Program continues to support poor but deserving students in their desire to finish their education. A lot of graduates realized their dreams for success through the program. Because of their patience and determination, some have been successful in their businesses and many of them are presently employed in big companies in the Philippines and abroad.

This time, however, the work students are facing a big challenge with the crisis brought about by COVID-19 pandemic. With the new normal and virtual classes about to start this July, the students’ desire to finish their education on time may be hindered because of some factors.

Because of this, University President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Esther Rose A. Romarate and Coordinator for Work-Student Study Program Prof. Annalie D. Gilongos met to consolidate and approve the “Sponsor-a-Work-Student Program, a need-based project which aims to help work students finish their education — through sponsorships of any faculty and staff who will open their hearts and homes to students.

Access to Wi-Fi, computer laptop, free board, and lodging are initially among what a faculty or staff can share with one or two work students. The work student(s) will in return help the faculty or staff with certain household chores, especially for working parents whose kids will be left at home. The arrangement should benefit both parties.

The following guidelines must be strictly followed:

1. Interested work students shall fill out the ‘Sponsor-a-Work-Student’ application form at the WSSP Program Office.
2. A sponsoring /staff member can foster one or two work students.
3. If a work student does not have a laptop or android phone, the faculty or staff member can allow the work student to use his/her gadget for online classes as scheduled.
4. For health and safety purposes, students shall stay with the faculty/staff for the whole duration of the Summer Term. This is to be mutually agreed upon by both parties.
5. Work students may do basic household chores or supervise the children especially those with online classes in exchange for the use of gadget, access to Wi-fi, and/or board and lodging.
6. Other services like doing laundry or ironing clothes and the like can be done by the sponsored work students during their free time as long as they are paid for it. (Money earned can be used as allowances for personal needs.

Interested faculty and staff may download the form at https://cpu.edu.ph/forms/