Guarding Campus Security

Photo by: Wayne S. Grazio; Creative Commons

Often seen standing by the entrance of the university, these poker-faced individuals help maintain student policy and order in the campus. Not many people understand the realities of their profession, and how much effort they exert.

In a fraction of a second, they can spot students who do not comply with the prescribed uniform and promptly turn them away. Dura lex sed lex. The law may be hard but it is the law. They are the security guards of the campus – keepers of the gates, guardians of the student handbook, and holders of the keys.

Among them are two exceptional people: a stern lady with big dreams; and a man fermented by wisdom and experience.

The Dreamer – Steadfast in her post is Manilyn Dayag, a 22-year-old lady guard from Centro 10, Tuguegarao City who works under the Itawes Security and Protective Agency Inc. (ISPAI) and is the longest staying guard in UCV. “Maya,” as she is reverentially addressed by her peers, has been with the university for three years now. Looking beyond the somber façade is a dreamer who once aspired to finishing Criminology. However, because of the harsh realities in life, Maya was forced to abandon her dreams momentarily so that she may send her siblings to college. She only finished a freshman term in STI when she realized that she had to face financial problems head-on. Maya is the sole breadwinner of her family. Notwithstanding the challenges that beset her, she believes that dreams do not die – they live on through one’s loved ones.

The Romantic – Fifty-three-year-old Security Guard Domingo “Sandy” Calara is a father of two and hails from Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija. He met his wife in San Pablo, Isabela in a romantic twist of fate which led him to reside there. He has been with the university for almost a year now and is thus relatively new. Before being assigned to the university, he exercised the same career in Manila. Due to difficulties of being far away from his family, Sandy decided to return to Cagayan to seek out a job. As fate would have it, he landed in ISPAI and was assigned at UCV.

Life and Honor – Unquestionably, these individuals risk their lives in the line of duty. The most logical target for felons when committing a crime would be the Security Guard, because they are seen as threats to the success of the criminal designs. However, people sometimes fail to remember that they also put their honor on the line. For example, picture students, employees, and parents berating these individuals and humiliating them in front of the whole world because of some petty concern. Picture the commanding language when certain “professionals” talk to them. Picture the way some students disrespect them when they point out the rules. Not many people realize that they were just doing their jobs – jobs that feed families, and send siblings to college.

When asked about confrontations with students seeking entry, they said that, “Ginagawa lang namin ang trabaho namin. Kami ay dumaan sa orientation tungkol sa mga polisiya ng unibersidad. Ganun din naman ang ating mga mag-aaral kaya sinusunod lang namin ang mga nasabi sa orientation at nakasulat sa student handbook ng paaralan.” They added, “Sa araw-araw naming pagtayo sa gate, ang tanging baon namin ay mahabang pasensiya.” A fundamental value in the profession they swear never to give up being patient.

Policies – However, there is only so much that a handful of guards can manage. It should be noted that UCV sits on hectares of land and accommodates thousands of students, aside from faculty and personnel. Thus, it would be guileless to think that all aspects of security rest solely on the shoulders of such agents. Take for example student policies derived from the student handbook: one may observe that after entering the gates, some students who do remove their bullcaps often wear them again shortly thereafter. Such a situation rings true for earrings, sporting blonde hair, and the manner in which uniforms are improperly worn. While there may be nothing wrong with wearing bullcaps and other expressions of the human body, there are policies that must be respected. And part of such respect is the manner of its application. More precisely, policies must be respected consistently. 

Consistency and Support – Few people respect policies that are inconsistent. Thus, security is more than just deterring danger – it also necessitates security of the university’s policies, values, and goals. Security is thus everyone’s concern. Accordingly, support must also be meted out in securing policies. For example, the guards are supplied with a copy of student policies that are printed in big bold letters and posted by the entrance – that way, all people need to do is to read the rules. It is effective because the rules are visible, clear, and even tangible. Inside the university, on the other hand, there should be an even more active implementation of rules and regulation not just by the Director for Student Affairs but also by Faculty, Personnel, and Student organizations. In that sense, security is synchronized.

In that sense, security exists.

(byRomuloVanguardiaJr)
Issue No.1;1st Semester, S.Y. 2015-2016