About Us
The Political Science Forum, abbreviated as 'UST-TPSF' or simply, 'TPSF,' is the official association of political science majors in the University of Santo Tomas. It is based in the Faculty of Arts and Letters, the liberal arts college of UST. It is duly recognized by the College administration as representative of all political science majors, and the Office for Student Affairs as a lawfully established and school-sanctioned student organization.
Our MissionAs a student organization in the field of politics from the University of Santo Tomas, the Political Science Forum confers to itself the task of bringing our social and political issues in the Thomasian community, and to promote the excellence of its students outside the University.
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Our VisionThe Political Science Forum envisions itself as an arena of responsive and empowered students capable of generating intellectual outputs. It also serves as a medium for social and political concerns, and is at the forefront of creating consciousness within the Thomasian community. It is also committed in strengthening its relations with other universities and institutions in formulating and creating community services.
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What We Do
Faithful to its mission and vision, TPSF initiates and executes programs and projects aimed at improving political consciousness in the Thomasian community and outside. As the representative organization of all political science majors, it manages the affairs of the AB Pol Sci community, represents them in various bodies such as the Board of Majors, a Constitutional organ of the Arts and Letters Student Council (ABSC), and facilitates communication between the studentry and the College administration. It also endeavors to forge cooperation with other organizations in UST and beyond. It seeks to open fresh opportunities for its members to develop by pursuing partnerships with various government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and by establishing interest guilds (i.e. a debate team, a dance troupe, a chorale, and a visual arts guild.) TPSF also endeavors to assist various communities outside UST and conducts outreach programs through its Committee on Community Development. It maintains relations with the alumni through its Committee on External and Alumni Affairs.
As the sole political science organization in UST, TPSF sponsors lectures, seminars, symposia, and other academic discussions which are open to everyone. It conducts different activities such as exhibits and information drives aimed at bringing socio-political issues to the consciousness of Thomasians. More than twenty years since its foundation, TPSF continues to be the bulwark of political education and awareness in the University of Santo Tomas. To institutionalize this endeavor and to rejuvenate its mandate, the executive board pushed for the establishment of a Committee on University-wide Programs and Advocacies in 2012. It immediately received the approval of the Policy Board and the new committee facilitated the forging of new cooperative alliances with various offices, including the University-wide Department of Social Sciences and the Office for Student Affairs. In the same year, through the efforts of Asst. Prof. Ma. Zenia Rodriguez, TPSF was invited by the Chair of the University-wide Social Sciences Department to present the organization's plans and projects before an assembly of UST's social science professors, a first in TPSF history.
TPSF has been, and continues to be tapped by various organizations and offices in the conduct of programs aimed at improving political consciousness in UST. In 2009-2010, it was in partnership with the Central Student Council in pushing for the proposed Magna Carta of Students and took part in the campaign for better students' rights and welfare (STRAW). In A.Y. 2010-2011, TPSF partnered with the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) and different Pol Sci organizations in other schools. In A.Y. 2011-2012, the organization expanded its network by teaming up with the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF).
In A.Y. 2012-2013, TPSF launched its "UST Apathy-Free" campaign through its Committee on University-wide Programs and Advocacies. It aims to minimize, if not obliterate, political apathy in the Thomasian community through a series of informative campaigns and events geared towards a wider and better understanding of political issues. The target audience is the entire Thomasian community, especially non-Political Science majors. In line with the same thrust, TPSF partnered with the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) to prepare for the upcoming 2013 Midterm Elections. By August 2012, TPSF already had its own election advocacy, "Tomasino Para Sa Pilipino 2013." Later on, the Office for Student Affairs (OSA) invited TPSF to become one of its partner organizations in pursuing a university-wide election advocacy along with the UST Central Comelec, the CSC, the SOCC, and other organizations. OSA adopted TPSF's advocacy and called it, "Tomasino Para Sa Bayang Pilpino." TPSF chaired the Committee on Research in this program.
In A.Y. 2014-2015, TPSF partnered with Tomasian Cable Television (TOMCAT) for a university-wide coverage of President Aquino's State of the Nation Address (SONA), which also featured a televised discussion with TPSF professors and members.
Come 2016, TPSF will celebrate its silver jubilee. As its 25th founding anniversary approaches, the Political Science Forum remains a strong force in steering the direction of affairs in the Faculty of Arts and Letters, and even outside its halls. It remains a factory of student leaders who continue to lead organizations to success and selfless endeavors to fruition. Its alumni have become big and successful names in various fields: mostly in the legal profession, the academe, and in public service-oriented organizations/agencies.
As the sole political science organization in UST, TPSF sponsors lectures, seminars, symposia, and other academic discussions which are open to everyone. It conducts different activities such as exhibits and information drives aimed at bringing socio-political issues to the consciousness of Thomasians. More than twenty years since its foundation, TPSF continues to be the bulwark of political education and awareness in the University of Santo Tomas. To institutionalize this endeavor and to rejuvenate its mandate, the executive board pushed for the establishment of a Committee on University-wide Programs and Advocacies in 2012. It immediately received the approval of the Policy Board and the new committee facilitated the forging of new cooperative alliances with various offices, including the University-wide Department of Social Sciences and the Office for Student Affairs. In the same year, through the efforts of Asst. Prof. Ma. Zenia Rodriguez, TPSF was invited by the Chair of the University-wide Social Sciences Department to present the organization's plans and projects before an assembly of UST's social science professors, a first in TPSF history.
TPSF has been, and continues to be tapped by various organizations and offices in the conduct of programs aimed at improving political consciousness in UST. In 2009-2010, it was in partnership with the Central Student Council in pushing for the proposed Magna Carta of Students and took part in the campaign for better students' rights and welfare (STRAW). In A.Y. 2010-2011, TPSF partnered with the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) and different Pol Sci organizations in other schools. In A.Y. 2011-2012, the organization expanded its network by teaming up with the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF).
In A.Y. 2012-2013, TPSF launched its "UST Apathy-Free" campaign through its Committee on University-wide Programs and Advocacies. It aims to minimize, if not obliterate, political apathy in the Thomasian community through a series of informative campaigns and events geared towards a wider and better understanding of political issues. The target audience is the entire Thomasian community, especially non-Political Science majors. In line with the same thrust, TPSF partnered with the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) to prepare for the upcoming 2013 Midterm Elections. By August 2012, TPSF already had its own election advocacy, "Tomasino Para Sa Pilipino 2013." Later on, the Office for Student Affairs (OSA) invited TPSF to become one of its partner organizations in pursuing a university-wide election advocacy along with the UST Central Comelec, the CSC, the SOCC, and other organizations. OSA adopted TPSF's advocacy and called it, "Tomasino Para Sa Bayang Pilpino." TPSF chaired the Committee on Research in this program.
In A.Y. 2014-2015, TPSF partnered with Tomasian Cable Television (TOMCAT) for a university-wide coverage of President Aquino's State of the Nation Address (SONA), which also featured a televised discussion with TPSF professors and members.
Come 2016, TPSF will celebrate its silver jubilee. As its 25th founding anniversary approaches, the Political Science Forum remains a strong force in steering the direction of affairs in the Faculty of Arts and Letters, and even outside its halls. It remains a factory of student leaders who continue to lead organizations to success and selfless endeavors to fruition. Its alumni have become big and successful names in various fields: mostly in the legal profession, the academe, and in public service-oriented organizations/agencies.
Membership, Fees & DuesTPSF's Constitution provides that all students majoring in political science are, ipso facto, members of the Political Science Forum. A membership fee is collected annually to fund the programs of the organization, the amount of which is proposed by the Executive Committee on Finance, and set by the Policy Board.
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AffiliationsTPSF is a member-organization of:
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