Celebration of Growth: CASSayuran Welcomes New Members in Inaugural Gathering

by Rona Marie Julaica Alison


Marking the start of another academic year, CASSayuran, the official student publication of the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS), welcomed its largest cohort of student journalists to date, with 52 out of 56 members—including both returning and newly accepted members—convening for the publication’s first face-to-face Onboarding and Town Hall Meeting since the pandemic.


Held on September 4 at the CASS Learning Commons, this gathering served as a platform to establish connections among publication members and orient them on editorial term policies and standards, while also providing an opportunity to recognize the collective efforts that have contributed to CASSayuran’s growth over recent years.


Jemylene Lico, the former Editor-in-Chief of last term, emphasized the importance of giving back to CASS through journalistic service, encapsulating this sentiment with CASSayuran’s slogan, “From CASS, for CASS, and by CASS.” In her speech, she reflected on the publication’s significant growth in both membership and engagements.


Officially passing the torch, Lico formally welcomed John Vincent Balustre as this year’s Editor-in-Chief. Balustre accepted the role with enthusiasm, affirming that the legacy of CASSayuran will continue to live on.


In his message, he welcomed the new members from each department, formally appointing them as full-fledged correspondents. “The greatest asset we have now is you and the support of this growing team of committed individuals,” Balustre echoed.


To foster a warm atmosphere and build camaraderie, the meeting featured interactive games and introductions among department heads, assistant heads, and fellow members, along with discussions by the Editorial Board on department policies and plans.


For more than 20 years, CASSayuran has been a cornerstone of CASS, amplifying the voices and interests of the CASS Arachnids. This year, with its highest number of publication members to date, they are set to introduce significant changes, forging forward with a renewed purpose.