RENOVATIONS ARE underway in certain areas on campus as Vice President for the Loyola Schools (VPLS) Maria Luz Vilches, PhD seeks to improve the Loyola Schools’ (LS) facilities. These initiatives were pursued in light of campus assessments conducted by the LS administration, which were brought up by the VPLS during the Magtanong sa VP at mga Dekano forum held on September 2.
These major campus improvements include the installation of air conditioning units at the Science Education Complex (SEC) buildings and the Immaculate Conception Chapel, as well as the expansion of the SEC-A building. As discussed in the forum, these additions hope to address issues on heat and the growing student population.
In addition to these plans, a number of projects have recently been completed on campus, such as the Manuel V. Pangilinan Center for Student Leadership (MVP-CSL) landing lounges, the New Rizal Library outdoor cafeteria, and the Office of Student Discipline (OSD) on the ground floor of MVP.
Addressing student needs
The Office of Facilities and Sustainability (OFS), along with the VPLS, will spearhead the renovation of current campus facilities and utilities this academic year.
According to Vilches, air conditioning units powered by solar panels will be installed in the SEC classrooms to improve the learning conditions of students. Due to the limited budget for the current academic year, Vilches said that they will first install units in the SEC-A classrooms, an initiative that the University plans to finish by January 2020.
To accommodate the increasing student population on campus in light of the K-12 program, Vilches stated that SEC-A will be expanded by constructing two more floors with 18 new classrooms by December 2021. She added that the LS administration anticipates around 10,000 students on campus in 2022.
Before they begin constructing the two additional floors, OFS Director Elias Pan said that an assessment of the building’s structural integrity must be done first.
“Yung SEC-A kasi ginawa ‘yan [noong] 1998 so wala pa ‘yung [2005 National Building Code of the Philippines]. Ang ginagawa ngayon, iniimbestigahan ang building bago i-design for two floors kung capable pa siya in relation sa [code] (SEC-A was made in 1998 so the 2005 National Building Code of the Philippines did not exist yet. We are currently investigating the building first before adding two floors to see if it adheres to the [code]),” he said.
The aforementioned code aims to promote “up-to-date and modern technical knowledge on building design, construction, use, occupancy, and maintenance.”
Once the necessary requirements are met, Pan said that construction of SEC-A floors will begin—hopefully by Intersession of 2020. After the completion of the project, he added that they will assess SEC-B and SEC-C for the possibility of expansion as well.
Completed projects
Aside from these upcoming campus improvements, Vilches added that the LS administration also completed several projects as of late. These were pursued in light of the requests from different LS offices and departments to meet their respective units’ needs.
Vilches mentioned that among the projects is the new OSD in MVP, which was recently constituted to augment the work done by the Office of Student Services (OSS) regarding student disciplinary complaints. The OSD will spearhead development and restorative justice programs for students, which will require one-on-one meetings.
Vilches explained, “We want to create a new face for discipline that’s not scary. [Students] say we need a proper office for discipline where it’s not all about punishment.”
Another recent project is the Office of Student Activities’ new MVP landing lounges, which were constructed to provide students with more comfortable working areas.
“It is important to have a space which is conducive for learning. When you create a space, you create the atmosphere as well,” explained Vilches.
Additionally, the New Rizal Library outdoor cafeteria was constructed at the request of Rizal Library Director Vernon Totanes in hopes of improving the appearance of the library’s entrance.
He said that the new cafeteria improves the façade of the building and caters to students’ needs should they feel hungry after studying in the library.
Improving Sanggu’s response
Although not all student concerns were raised at the September 2 Magtanong sa VP at mga Dekano, Sanggunian President Quiel Quiwa assured that issues about campus facilities raised to the Sanggunian are discussed in small Budget Committee meetings with the administration and forwarded to the offices involved.
“We have two representatives at the Loyola Schools Budget Committee to make sure that the budget is consistent with the student demands. This committee is divided into sub-committees that negotiate the budget with different academic departments and offices,” he said.
In an effort to address student concerns more efficiently, Sanggunian Vice President Jb Bejarin added that the Sanggunian will begin working with the Student and Administrative Services Cluster (SASC), which is composed of the OFS, the OSS, and the Loyola Schools Office of Guidance and Counseling.
“The [SASC] has agreed to streamline existing feedback mechanisms between the students, Sanggu, and the mentioned offices for [a] more efficient and effective response to student concerns,” Bejarin said. “Sanggu will be working with the SASC through set regular meetings starting this October.”
