Level of Effectiveness of Student Affairs Services Program of Nueva Ecija University Of Science And Technology
Authors: Trajano Mercedes 
Published: July 2023

This study aimed to determine the level of effectiveness of the implementation of student affairs and services of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology. It used descriptive survey using questionnaire sent in Google form and answered by the students. Results show that majority of the student affairs and services were implemented very effectively. Medical and Dental services, got the highest rating among the student services rated as extremely effective. Food services got the least rating among those which were rated as very effective. SAS as perceived by the students were implemented in full and received positive impact from them. Adoption of a comprehensive development action plan of both offices of student affairs and Institutional Programs and Services followed by periodic assessment will enhance the level of effectiveness of SAS for improved students’ growth and development.

INTRODUCTION
The student programs and services of the Office of Student Affairs aim to provide academic support to students to ensure students’ growth and development while pursuing academic knowledge in their respective courses until they graduate and eventually land on a job where they are fitted as prepared by the University for them. Four to five years of stay in the University seeking for academic excellence is not that easy for students. They have to be helped and assisted as they go through the rigors and challenges of studying in college.
The Office of Student Affairs and Services (OSA) commits itself in delivering student services for academic support aimed at holistic development of students committed to the tasks of bringing development impact to the community they serve, hence, become responsible citizens of this nation.
These goals can be achieved through 1) Promoting a developmental and holistic approach in providing academic support to ensure well-being of students and 2) Promoting students services and programs and students self-initiated activities designed to actualize their full potential for personal development and social responsibility.
Student support and services contribute to the quality of student’s learning experience and their academic success while they are in college. Hill et al, (2003) as stated in Ibarrientos (2015) in his study shows that the most important factors in achieving quality education and quality assurance are: quality of teaching / learning and service systems and support for students.
Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology is one big state university in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Region lll. Its vision is to transform students into high quality, competent, ethical leaders, professionals and responsible citizens of the country. As an institution of higher learning, it offers courses in its two big campuses in Gen. Tinio St. and Sumacab in Cabanatuan City and in its four satellite campuses in San Isidro, Gabaldon, Atate and Fort Magsaysay. It also has six academic extension campuses in San Antonio, San Leonardo, Penaranda, Talavera and Carranglan, Nueva Ecija financed by local government units. This second semester of AY 2019-2020, NEUST caters to a total of 19, 647 students in all its campuses (NEUST-MIS 2020).
Student Affairs and Services (SAS) are the services and programs in higher education institutions that are concerned with academic support experiences of students to attain holistic student development. Academic support services are those that relate to student welfare, student development and those that relate to institutional programs and services. (CHED Memo Order No. 09, s. 2013). The Office of Student Affairs of NEUST provides services and programs that are concerned with academic support experiences of students to attain holistic student development (NEUST Student Handbook, Revised 2018). Academic support services are those that relate to student welfare, student development and institutional programs and services (CHED Memo. 09, s. 2013). Ciobanu (2013) as stated by Ibarientos (2015) in his study stresses that these student services are influenced by the beliefs and values of the employed staff, by the manner in which the policies are elaborated, by the content of curriculum and services, and by the degree of knowledge regarding the development of the students and the way in which the environment outlines their behavior. He further added that these programs and services aim to improve students’ academic experiences and provide individual attention to their needs throughout their time in the University. Student satisfaction of welfare services in institutions of higher learning, is a fundamental requirement that has to be met in an effort to enhance and maintain students’ physical, social, intellectual acuity and subsequently create an environment that encourages high academic performance
The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) conducted this study to determine the level of effectiveness of the programs and services that OSA and the Institutional Programs and Services of the University provide to the students as academic support while they are completing their studies. Furthermore, this research wanted to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the programs and services that need to be given focus and attention for the benefits of the students during their stay in the University. Moreover, it hopes to strengthen the academic and emotional needs/status of students during their entire college years in this University.