During the open forum at the Office of Administrative Services’ (OAS) Policies General Assembly last May 17, student org representatives lined up in front of the microphone stands. Some went back and forth the line, asking their org mates if they have any concerns about what they just heard. Some appeared shocked, not knowing whether the changes would actually help their orgs. Most, meanwhile, were furiously chatting about their alternatives, considering the effects of the changes.

During the assembly, OAS also talked about its electronic queuing and online viewing systems for room and equipment reservations. But, the change that drew mixed reactions was the increase in the rental rates for the use of the Ateneo’s property.

In with the new

Contrary to the students’ belief, OAS, which is responsible for ensuring the quality of cafeteria food and maintenance of the school’s rooms and equipment, has always been charging rental rates. Unlike the new system, however, OAS didn’t have any categories that would help it determine who should and who should not pay. Also, according to OAS Director Joy Salita, the students of Ateneo have been following the old rates since 15 to 20 years ago.

Because of the exponential increases in the Ateneo’s operational costs, which include electricity, utilities, and water costs, however, OAS increased its rental rates, effective this school year.

After evaluating the past rates, which is done by computing for the costs that each venue would incur based on how many air-conditioning units, lights, and other equipment it has, OAS came up with the new list of rates. “[So we] would be able to recoup, [or] get back at least the minimum operational cost,” she says.

This is to also standardize the rates that OAS charges to its customers, both inside and outside of the Ateneo. Through the years, so many activities have cropped up, Salita says in a mix of Filipino and English. “We already wanted to rationalize the charges.”

For units inside the Ateneo, especially the student orgs, there are some exceptions to the rental rates. OAS categorizes these units based on the nature of their activities. Salita, however, clarifies that these exceptions would apply for this school year only.

Academic-related events, on one hand, are not charged because they are subsidized by the students’ tuition fees. But events that generate income, collect fees from their participants, fall on a Sunday or holiday, or are organized by outside groups will be charged.

She adds, however, that OAS is open to giving discounted rates to the student orgs. They might not have anticipated the new system for this school year, she says in Filipino.

System failure?

The Environmental Science Society (ESS), whose projects usually involve advocacies and are non-income generating, feels that even the rates last school year were extremely expensive. According to ESS President Eryn de Leon (III BS ES), they are one of the student orgs that are hit the most.

“We are already having trouble finding funds to finance and to promote the activities,” she says. “Because of [the added venue costs], we have to cut corners with our projects to accommodate the venue rates.”

Celadon President Angela Lim (IV BS CTM), along with her org mates, does understand the need to pay for the overtime rates since they are consuming resources and nothing comes for free. She says, however, that the renting of the school’s facilities should be subsidized, given that there are establishments outside where they could rent at cheaper rates.

“It’s really difficult to try to raise funds and, at the same time, pay for rents that aren’t given at a student-friendly price,” she says.

She also says that these policies were implemented too quickly, that student orgs were not given enough time to work around them.

“It should be like injecting medicine on someone to treat an ‘illness’—you don’t just pour the entire medicine to cure the ‘problem,’ but you inject it bit by bit into the system.”

No vacancy

The Performing Arts Cluster (PAC) is no exception to those affected by the OAS’ new rates, especially since they are the resident users of the Rizal Mini Theater (RMT) and the Gonzaga Exhibit Hall among others.

PAC Head Pearl Ganzon (IV AB PoS) says that there is only one special arrangement between them and OAS, which is regarding the use of RMT only, since it is used by their cluster, Entablado, and the Ateneo Musicians’ Pool (AMP), all year round.

“In the arrangement, the orgs will only be charged for the utility cost of the venue [electricity and water] per hour, exclusive of the overtime rates, which will still be applied,” she says.

Entablado Coordinator John Leinard Ramos (IV AB Eu), says that the new rates will seriously hurt their organization, with the RMT rates as their biggest concern.

He says that it will now be difficult to do their shows because of budget constraints. Ramos says, “It would definitely cost more than what they charge the orgs before, which is 10% of the ticket sales.”

With the current rates, other performing arts organizations are even considering holding their events or rehearsals outside.

Ateneo College Glee Club President Glacey Loiz (IV BS MIS) says that since their rehearsals for their North American tour will take longer than usual, they may actually choose to rehearse outside school.

Meanwhile, Ateneo Biology Organization Secretary-General Gianello Cera (IV BS BIO) believes that, because of the OAS new rental rates system, the school may not be the best venue for students to hold org-related activities.

He also says, “[In a way], the school is risking the safety of students who would rather hold their activities outside the school grounds.”

Blue Repertory Promotions Head Gerauld Rivera (IV BS LM), on the other hand, believes that what makes the rates more expensive is that, despite what OAS charges, the quality of the venues and equipment remain poor.

“For a theatre that’s not that competent… it’s not worth it,” he says in a mix of Filipino and English, referring to RMT.

All systems go

Council of Organizations of the Ateneo (COA) President Oscar Mejia III (V BS Ch-MSE) says that he was initially shocked by the rental rates that OAS implemented. According to him, he didn’t feel that the OAS’ policies on its rental rates were strictly implemented since he went to college five years ago.

He also explains, however, that OAS’ new system received these reactions from the students probably because the rationale behind these policies might not have been properly disseminated.

“These [policies] have been present ever since, although they weren’t implemented,” says Mejia. “Compared to the Ateneo Grade School and High School, our rates are lower or, at times, even free.”

On the other hand, Rob Brian Roque (II BS Ch-MSE), chairman of Sanggunian’s Committee of Social Concern and External Affairs, believes that in the long run, these policies are beneficial for the organizations.

“In the short run, the policy is hard because it is still new. But, in the long run, it trains [students in] real-life situations because in real life, you don’t get venues for free. You don’t get electricity for free, you don’t get maintenance for free,” he says in a mix of English and Filipino.

ESS President de Leon, however, believes there are other ways of teaching organizations to properly plan their activities and budgets. “They could give seminars, monitor expenses, so organizations can know how to plan effectively and efficiently,” she says.

Salita, on the other hand, deems OAS’ preparations from February to June of this year enough for the students to be informed of these changes. She also explains that, through this system, OAS hopes to provide an avenue where it could mentor student orgs to manage events on their own.

“We would like to have that attitude that we are not just here as your reservations office [and] service providers, but we are here to [be your] partner in all your endeavors,” says Salita

The system is in place, she says. “We just had to look into it, evaluate and revise as needed.”