no power-tripping,
just advocacy and training
The union's constitution recognizes two categories for membership eligibility. Aspiring members can either be of the two.
- He or she must be currently enrolled in the College of Mass Communication, University of the Philippines, Diliman; or
- He or she must be an active staff member of a student publication, college-based or otherwise, operating in the university.
In addition, the constitution requires that applicants must have at least two semesters before graduation, including the application period.
Once qualified, applicants must submit/fulfill the following requirements:
- Autobiography
Applicants are required to write something, anything, that will introduce and reveal his/her personality to the members of the union. Applicants are given artistic freedom as regards to how they write their biographies. Boundless creativity is the only rule to remember.
- Buddy write-up
Being the applicant's primary link to the organization, the buddy, a bona fide member, is required to orient the applicant on the union's cast of characters, activities, goings on, etc. In return, the applicant is asked to acquaint himself/herself with his/her buddy. The end goal is, of course, to produce a sensible and read-worthy buddy write-up.
- Sigsheet
A scrapbook of sorts, it is usually an unorthodox bio-data designed to acquaint the members to the applicants. Applicants are given their sigsheets at the onset of application. They are to answer and design it as creatively as possible.
- Education Discussions (2)
As UJP-UP believes in the importance of taking a stand on pertinent issues inside and outside the university, we push for informed choices. The ED's provide a venue wherein members and applicants can discuss any issue in order to formulate their own views. Applicants are required to attend the union's ED's, which are organized by the education committee.
- Basic Masses Exposure (2)
The organization engages in several exposure trips to different areas in Metro Manila to awaken its members and applicants to the various realities of life. Applicants are required to attend BMEx's, which are usually jointly organized by the union's membership and education committee.
- Solo Interview
Applicants face a panel of members. The goal is to probe into the individual applicant's personality, philosophies, advocacies, etc.
- Batch Interview
Usually done after the first half of the application process, this is a more formal activity where members question the whole batch of applicants about the union's constitution and their performance as a batch.
- Position Paper
This is an academic paper on specified topics provided for by the education committee. This is the final application requirement and accordingly, applicants defend their positions before they can be inducted to the union.
Papers must follow the writing style of the American Psychological Association (APA). Some APA style essentials the style can be found at this webpage by the Vanguard University of Southern California (VUSC).
A Mircrosoft Word™ template of a research paper, written in APA style, can be downloaded here. It was created by Nelson Eby, George Washington University graduate student, in collaboration with Dr. Douglas Degelman, VUSC psychology professor.