CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
The school provides a lot of opportunities for students to grow. It shapes and molds them intellectually, morally, socially and spiritually. To these young individuals, it serves as their second home. It should equip them with competent skills and should develop their potentials. It should instill values which are the foundation of responsible citizenship. As an institution, it should bring change and lay down the foundation of progress (Gregorio, 2003). It is the mandate of the school to provide an adequate learning environment, competent academic instructions, excellent academic programs, competent teachers and good academic facilities to ensure quality education (Beach, 1989). Apart from these, the school must also recognize the rights of the students and must work for student welfare. One student right the school must recognize and respect is the right to organize. This explains the existence of Student Government or Student Council recognized to represent the student body and promote student welfare. The Student Council serves as the voice of the students that could ventilate their sentiments for the school administration to consider in working for the general welfare of the students. Through its elected officers, the Student Council is tasked to make sure that student rights are protected. At the same time, it must also work for the promotion of student welfare (Trompeta, 1990). The existence of the Student Council is also vital for the equity of student’s representation. Student Rights and Welfare are part of the State’s human rights commitment, and thus must be uniformly recognized, protected and promoted (Baraquel, 2007). The State’s education agencies, namely, the Department of Education (Ded Ed), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), are mandated to ensure that students are able to enjoy and exercise their rights and freedom enshrined in our constitution. In the same manner, the Student Council as an organized student body will also adhere on the same principle. The Student Council will also serve as an agency to promote student rights and welfare in a school based level. Through the years, the role of the Student Council in upholding student rights and welfare has been expanding (Baraquel, 2007). Schools are mandated by the law to give a wider latitude of student participation through the Student Council in protecting and promoting the welfare of the students. But is it doing its functions and is its existence felt by the students? What is its performance in promoting student welfare? These questions are quite simple but a systematic inquiry is necessary to give them concrete answers. This study deals with the performance of the West Visayas State University College of Arts and Science Student Council A.Y. 2007-2008 in promoting Student Welfare. It aims to reveal whether or not the WVSU ASSC has been able to perform its duties and obligation in promoting student welfare. This aims to assess also the extent of performance of the WVSU ASSC in promoting student welfare. The findings showed the performance of the Student Council. In this light, new efforts and measures could be taken to improve services to the students.

Statement of the Problem The purpose of this study is to determine the performance of the West Visayas State University College of Arts and Sciences Student Council (WVSU ASSC) A.Y. 2007-2008 in promoting student welfare. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:
1. What is the performance of the West Visayas State University College of Arts and Sciences Student Council in promoting student welfare when taken as an entire group?
2. Is there a significant difference in the performance of the West Visayas State University College of Arts and Sciences in promoting student welfare when the respondents are grouped according to sex?
3. Is there a significant difference in the performance of the West Visayas State University College of Arts and Sciences in promoting student welfare when the respondents are grouped according to year level?
4. Is there a significant difference in the performance of the West Visayas State University College of Arts and Sciences in promoting student welfare when the respondents are grouped according to academic courses?
Statement of the Hypotheses In connection with the specific problems presented in this study, the following hypotheses are formulated:

1. The performance of the West Visayas State University College of Arts and Sciences Student Council in promoting student welfare when the respondents are taken as an entire group is poor.
2. There is no significant difference in the performance of the West Visayas State University College of Arts and Sciences Student Council in promoting student welfare when the respondents are grouped according to sex.
3. There is no significant difference in the performance of the West Visayas State University College of Arts and Sciences Student Council in promoting student welfare when the respondents are grouped according to year level.
4. There is no significant difference in the performance of the West Visayas State University College of Arts and Sciences Student Council in promoting student welfare when the respondents are grouped according to academic courses.
Significance of the Study The result of this study will provide information and insights, which may be of great importance to the following:
1. The Students. This study will be useful in understanding their welfare as students and will enhance their awareness of the activities of the Student Council particularly those which require direct student participation.
2. The WVSU Student Council and the Supreme Student Government. The result of the study will give them basis in devising ways to improve their functions as a vanguard in promoting student welfare. Furthermore, it will encourage them to improve the degree of their performance for the total satisfaction of the students.

3. The West Visayas State University Administration. The result of this study will provide the school administration a feedback which will enable them to formulate programs which will bring about a full realization of the role of the Student Government or Student Council as a link between the students and school administrators. This will also help them to set relevant policies that are favorable to the interest of the students.

4. The Government State Education Agencies. This will encourage the government agencies to create state policies and enact laws related to the enforcement of student welfare. This will enable them to establish a Student Grievance Committee or a Student Welfare Council outside the school campus wherein students can air out their grievances and sentiments.

5. The Field Researchers. This will enable other researchers to make use of the findings of the study.
Assumptions of the Study The following assumptions were adopted:
1. The respondents answered the questionnaires honestly.
2. The instrument used was valid.
3. The statistical tools used were appropriate to interpret the data collected.

Scope and Limitations This study dealt with the performance of the West Visayas State University College of Arts and Sciences Student Council in promoting student welfare. The respondents of this study were 238 College students, from second year to fourth year enrolled for first semester A.Y. 2008-2009 in the WVSU College of Arts and Sciences. The first year college students were excluded from this study since the study seeks to assess the WVSU- ASSC A.Y. 2007-2008 and the first year students were not yet enrolled during that period. It is also limited to the determination of the performance of the WVSU – ASSC in promoting student welfare. The responses of the students were based only on the items stated in the questionnaires. Moreover, the officers of the WVSU – ASSC and the officers of the University Student Council were not included as respondents to avoid biases and prejudices in their responses in the questions stated in the research instrument.
Definition of Terms For clarity and better understanding, the following terms are defined conceptually and operationally in this study. Assessment. Conceptually, it means to analyze critically and judge definitely the nature, significance, status, or merit (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary, 1961). As used in this study, the term means to evaluate the performance of the WVSU-ASSC in promoting student welfare. Course. Conceptually, this refers to a series of such courses coordinated to constitute a curriculum and leading typically to a degree (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary, 1986). Operationally, it refers to the academic courses offered under the WVSU College of Arts and Sciences such as Bachelor of Science in Biological Science, Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics, Bachelor of Arts majors in English and Political Science. Performance. Conceptually, this term means the act of carrying out or accomplishing something such as a task or action (Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary, 1986) In its operational meaning, this term refers to the assessment of the accomplishment of the WVSU-ASSC in promoting student welfare, which is being investigated as to its level, to wit:
Excellent. Conceptually, this term means possessing outstanding quality, remarkably good (Flexner and Hauck, Training Random House Dictionary, 1987).
As used in this study, it means the outstanding performance of the WVSU-ASSC in promoting student welfare.
Very Good. Conceptually, it means extremely satisfactory and competent (The new International Webster Concise Dictionary, 1997).
Operationally, the same meaning applies.
Good. Conceptually and operationally, it means satisfactory, competent or adequate manner (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary, 1986).
Fair. In its conceptual meaning, this term means acceptable or average (Webster’s School Dictionary, 1980).
As used in this study, it means moderate performance of the WVSU-ASSC in promoting student welfare.
Poor. Conceptually and operationally, this term means inadequate and unsatisfactory (Flexner and Hauck, The Random House Dictionary, 1987). Government. Conceptually, it refers to an institution or aggregate of institutions by which an independent society makes and carries out the rules of action which are necessary to enable men to live in a social state or which are imposed upon the people forming that society by those who possess the power or authority on prescribing them (Aruego, Principles of Political Science). Operationally, it refers to the WVSU Supreme Student Government specifically its sub-political divisions The WVSU College of Arts and Sciences Student Council. Mean. Conceptually and operationally, it refers to the sum of the set of values divided by their number (Freund, Modern Elementary Statistics). Promote. Conceptually, this refers to contribute growth, enlargement or prosperity (Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary, 1986) In this study, it means the way Student Council carry out its duties and responsibilities to a higher degree in serving the students. Sex. Conceptually, this term refers to the property or quality by which an organism are classified according to their biological function; either male or female. (American Heritage Dictionary, 1983) In this study, it refers to the respondent being either male or female. Student. One who studies, scholar in a university and other institutions of learning (Webster’s School Dictionary, 1980). Operationally, this refers to the students enrolled in the WVSU College of Arts & Sciences. Student Council. Conceptually, this refers to a group of students at a school or college elected by their fellow students to represent them in school government and usually changed with drawing up all enforcing rules and penalty independently or with faculty assistance coordinating extra-curricular activities and organizing the school social life (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary). In this study, student council refers to the body representing the student the whole population of the WVSU College of Arts and Sciences whose officers are elected at large by the students pursuant to its Constitution and by-laws.
Welfare. Conceptually, this term means a state characterized especially by good fortune, happiness, well-being or prosperity (Webster’s Third New International Dictionary). In this study, it refers to the set of privileges and services expressly granted to the students for the common good. WVSU-ASSC. Conceptually and operationally, it refers to West Visayas State University College of Arts and Sciences Student Council. Year level. Conceptually and operationally, it refers to the year to which the students are belonging as categorically grouped from first year to fourth year.

Theoretical Framework
The study is anchored on the theory of individual differences. Terman and Miles (1980) explained that gender accounts for differences in assertiveness and competitiveness. Based on this assumption, gender is used as a factor to determine the perception of the students of the performance of the Arts and Sciences Student Council.
Secondly, the Veblen principle states that occupational roles assumed by an individual and the work techniques he has been exposed to shape his thoughts and relations with others. Based on this, the course of the students is considered in looking into how they view the performance of the Arts and sciences Student Council.
Finally, curriculum year was also included based on the observation of Lipset, a psychologist who opined theorized that a student’s length of stay in the institution tend to increase his/her awareness and level of participation in school activities.
These three factors are included as it may influence perceived performance of the student council.

Figure 1 Schematic Diagram of the Theoretical Framework. It shows the hypothesized relationships of variables covered in the study.

Independent Variables Dependent Variables

Conceptual Framework This study was anchored on the concept presented by Amado C. Dizon, (The Law on Schools and Students, 1971 page 128) which states that student government may be allowed to operate within colleges and universities under the broad powers given to their governing boards to formulate and adopt rules and regulations for the government of their institutions. When such power is expressly granted by law, it should operate within the framework of the authority so granted. The rights, privileges duties, and responsibilities of the student government should be spelled out definitely and clearly in the school handbook, bulletin, or prospectus or in any other school document. When this is done, the student government can be considered operating within legal bounds. Other student organizations like college or school councils, clubs, fraternities, and societies are allowed to operate at the option of the governing boards and subject to their recognition and control. This concept was adopted by the researchers – that the Student Government or Student Council has a legal personality as an institution. The rights, privileges and student welfare policies must be expressly defined in the Student Handbook or in any school instruments. It is imperative that the Student Council will do its best to protect and promote the student rights and welfare. This study will assess the performance of the WVSU-ASSC in promoting student rights and welfare.