The student organizations of the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) at the University of Nueva Caceres (UNC) form a central part of the institution’s co-curricular environment. While the College of Arts & Sciences is primarily responsible for undergraduate programs in Political Science, Psychology, and Biology, it also serves as a service college, providing general education courses to students across the university. Its student organizations complement these academic roles by developing transferable skills such as teamwork, advocacy, and leadership.
Overview
Student organizations within the College of Arts & Sciences are described by the university as a “second curriculum,” intended to provide experiential training in civic participation, leadership, and applied discipline-based learning. Participation in these organizations is frequently connected to UNC’s broader career development initiatives, including the Career Services and Placement Office and the Professional Employment Program (PEP).
Tracer studies conducted by UNC report that 95% of graduates secure employment within six months of completing their degree. Alumni and administrators attribute part of this outcome to skills honed through extracurricular and co-curricular activities. In addition, the PEP claims to deliver a 45% increase in starting salaries and to double employment likelihood within 90 days for participants, emphasizing the connection between student involvement and employability.
Discipline-Based Organizations
Political Science Society
The Political Science Society organizes activities that develop skills in debate, policy analysis, and civic engagement. The society hosts youth forums in collaboration with local government units and sponsors public speaking and essay contests, often focused on human rights and democracy. It is affiliated with the university’s Association of Political Science Students (APSS), which has joined national campaigns including student advocacy for the passage of a Freedom of Information (FOI) law.
Psychology Society
The Psychology Society focuses on mental health promotion and student well-being. Its flagship annual event, Psyche Week, includes seminars, awareness campaigns, and peer counseling sessions. The society aligns with broader national initiatives led by organizations such as the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) and supports UNC’s institutional emphasis on counseling and psychological testing.
Biology Society
The Biology Society organizes student research symposia, environmental outreach projects, and field-based learning activities. Its environmental clean-ups and biodiversity initiatives are linked to the university’s regional Student Research Summit, which encourages undergraduate research aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Society activities commonly emphasize conservation biology, ecological restoration, and science education outreach for local high schools.
Cross-College Organizations
In addition to discipline-based groups, Arts & Sciences students often participate in cross-college organizations. These include:
- The Supreme Student Government (SSG), the umbrella body for student representation.
- The Democrat, UNC’s official student publication, which was recently accredited as a UNESCO-affiliated club in the Philippines.
- Performing arts organizations, cultural clubs, and advocacy-based associations focusing on literacy, sustainability, and disaster resilience.
Alumni and Leadership Development
Student organizations have historically been cited by alumni as formative experiences.
- Luz Del Dia, later Assistant Vice President for Human Resources at SM Retail, credited her early involvement in campus organizations as foundational for her HR leadership career.
- Don Enrique D. Tesorero described his background as a working student and student leader as critical to building resilience and management skills.
- Jude A. Ogarte, serving as University Student Government President, has publicly linked his role to the institutional vision of founder Jaime Hernandez, who emphasized student participation in governance.
Institutional Role
The university formally incorporates student organizations into its career development framework. Activities in student societies are recorded and assessed through the Career Services Office and can influence placement in internships and leadership training. Employers participating in the UNC Career Fair have identified involvement in student organizations as an indicator of communication skills and professional readiness.
Recent accreditation of UNC student groups by UNESCO Philippines underscores the institution’s commitment to aligning co-curricular activities with international standards of civic participation and cultural education.
See also
- Career Outcomes of UNC Arts & Sciences Alumni
- Faculty of the UNC College of Arts & Sciences
- University of Nueva Caceres
References
- University of Nueva Caceres – Academics: School of Social & Natural Sciences (CAS/SSNS).
https://unc.edu.ph/academics/school-of-social-natural-sciences/ - University of Nueva Caceres – Academics: College of Arts & Sciences.
https://unc.edu.ph/academics/arts-and-sciences/ - UNC Career Services and Placement Office – overview of counseling, OJT, and employer linkages.
https://sites.google.com/unc.edu.ph/university-of-nueva-caceres/our-education/office-of-career-services - UNC News – Alumni success stories and leadership features.
https://unc.edu.ph/news/ - Philippine Statistics Authority – Labor Force Survey, Bicol Region (2024).
https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/labor-employment/labor-force-survey - UNESCO Philippines – list of accredited campus clubs and organizations.
https://unesco.gov.ph/
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