2023 UP GeMS Graduates’s Send-Off (Aug 12, 2023)
Before its newest graduates take on their new beginnings, the UP Geology Majors’ Society (UP GeMS) hosted the 2023 Graduates’ Send-Off Party last August 12 (Saturday) at the Alcantara Hall of the Student Union Building (SUB) in UP Diliman. For years, the organization had ensured to acknowledge the contributions and milestones of its newly graduated members.
Recognition was given to 32 BS Geology graduates through personalized certificates and congratulatory messages from family members, friends, and colleagues. Jerome G. Formaran, the outgoing UP GeMS Academics Executive, also delivered a commencement speech to his fellow graduates where he looked back on their experiences and memories shared in the past challenging years.
Moreover, recently inducted resident members, Batch 22B - Neogenes, also completed their oath-taking ceremony as part of the event.
UP GeMS’ 2023 Send-Off Attendees
1st General Assembly (September 15, 2023)
To kick start the semester, UP GeMS conducted its First General Assembly last September 15, 2023. This served as an orientation for the members on what to look forward to within the organization and provided an avenue for them to raise any concerns or queries regarding the semester. The eight executives, who lead the eight comprising committees of the organization, each presented their plans, the timeline of their events, and the roles and responsibilities required of the members for the whole semester. Queries were addressed after all the presentations and the program concluded with the oathtaking of the current academic year’s executive committee.
Attendees of the 1st General Assembly
Freshie Welcome Assembly & NIGS Blockhandling (September 18 & September 24)
To help the Freshies, Shiftees, and Transferees (FSTs) get acquainted with the National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS), UP GeMS participated in the Freshie Welcome Assembly (FWA), which was held last September 18, 2023. The organization shared with the FSTS a short introductory video as well as a short welcoming message.
Held only a week after the FWA, the organization on September 24, 2023 also took part in the annually held NIGS Blockhandling. This was organized by the NIGS Council of Organization Leaders (COOL), composed of UP GeMS and other organizations and fraternity: the UP Geological Society, the UP Cwm Zena’na, the UP Rockhounds, and the Iuvenis Orbis Geological Fraternity. Despite being originally planned to be a face-to-face event, it was shifted to an online set-up because of the ‘vog’ situation and health concerns at the time.
NIGS Blockhandling held last Sept 24, 2023 (photo by Faye Asanza)
Upcoming Application Process
After introducing the organizations to the freshies in the FWA and the NIGS Blockhandling, the next step for UP GeMS is to invite the freshies to join the organization by conducting an application process to be held during the rest of the semester. This September, an internal organizing committee has prepared for this semester’s Applicants’ Orientation. Scheduled on October 11, 2023, the event aims to further introduce the activities, programs, and events of the organization to interested potential applicants.