BukSU administration provides safe spaces for main campus faculty members, academic leaders

The Smart Bukidnon State University (BukSU) Workforce, comprising the regular faculty members from the main campus and the Edu Hub campus, participated in the Smart Dialogues, led by BukSU President Dr. Joy M. Mirasol, held at the University Auditorium on August 8, 2025.

BukSU utilized Smart Dialogues as a key component of its “Smart BukSU” initiative, designed to create safe spaces where the workforce can share their real-world experiences and insights, which in turn inform university-wide policies and improvements.

This year’s dialogue, President Mirasol remarked it a collaborative approach, describing as a family affair.

“This is a family affair. We talk with each other; and we communicate with each other. I am excited about your thoughts and how you are faring with your work here at the university,” Mirasol said.

Mirasol assured the workforce that their concerns would be heard and addressed, whether immediately or after a period of further review for policy-related issues.

“Feel free to tell us, and see whether we can address it directly or if it needs more time and think it over, especially when it involves policies, because if you do not tell us, we will not know. With that in mind, again, this is a family affair, you can freely talk, we will listen and talk back,” Mirasol said.

Faculty members shared concerns about their time management in rendering their residence hours at the university.

A safe space program was also given for academic leaders of BukSU under the Center for Advocacy, Resilience, and Well-being Services, headed by BukSU CAReS Dr. Xyle Fe Verbal. Department heads and college deans were encouraged to express their daily challenges in leading their respective office, and provided strategies/coping mechanisms to overcome distress and resolve mental well-being.

The dialogue allowed university leadership to gain a realistic understanding of day-to-day challenges and to collaborate with faculty on creating a more supportive and sustainable work environment for everyone. (BukSU-Information Unit)