Effectiveness and Responsiveness of Student Services at MPSPC, SY 2013-2014
(Rexton F. Chakas and Susan A. Lopez)

INTRODUCTION

In higher education today, student success is highly correlated on access to an array of effective services which can support and guide learners in the pursuit of their academic goals.

In order to produce well-balanced and rounded graduates, colleges and universities promote the welfare of students through student services which work alongside academic activities and units. These services range from core services such as teaching, administrative support, library, laboratory, accommodation, medical and dental, sports. These may also be augmented student core services such as campus ministries, and scholarships. All of these allow students to experience the multiple opportunities brought about by the many facets of university life which can affect academic work.

Any state college and university in the Philippines provides an integrated comprehensive system of co-curricular services, oftentimes tied to the attainment of the institution’s mission statement. Several studies showing a clear connection between student services and academic achievement, all the more, push education providers to improve effective services that will positively affect student outcomes. Hence, it is a common practice to integrate the offering of student services on the institution’s code or laws.

At the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College, the administration is committed to provide the most effective services to enhance learning experience, ultimately aimed to develop holistically the students. A medical-dental unit is tasked to look into the overall health of the students. The unit is manned with designated college nurses and a College dentist. They monitor vital signs of students and dispense over the counter medicines while they refer to the hospital medical cases which they cannot attend to. The College dentist does oral prophylaxis as well as tooth extractions.

Meanwhile, guidance counseling services are provided by the designated guidance counselors in the campuses. They monitor students in need of counseling services while they do profiling of these students for appropriate decision making of college authorities.

The College libraries are located in the two campuses where students can avail of library services. These libraries are manned by qualified librarians. The College used to have an internet center where students can avail of internet and computer services. This however was already discontinued.

Other student services available in the campuses include sports activities, campus ministries, student organizations, student publications, canteens; all of which are aimed at providing support services for the holistic development of students.

Despite the minimal funds allotted by the GAA and fees paid by students to maintain these services, it has been observed that students indeed avail of these because the fees paid outside the College are high. Logbooks show the multitude of clients being served, but no studies were conducted whether students avail of these services because they are satisfied with the services, or because they did not have any choice.

This study therefore is undertaken not only to fulfill the objectives of a satisfaction survey of students but also to be a plank in improving service quality.