In the January edition of The Guidon, an article about the dorm was published in the Inquiry section. It dealt with school rules being violated by dormers, and how there was a lack of oversight and security that led to this.

The ARSA Dorm Council, as representatives of the resident student community, feels the need to respond to this article and to point out how it is a gross distortion of dorm life and to call out The Guidon for their irresponsible journalism.

The way the article was written makes it appear as if the dorm is a sex and drug den: “Behind Closed Doors: Some dormers do more than just eat, sleep, and study in the University Residence Halls.”

“…smoking, which is a major offense, is usually done inside the dormers’ rooms.” “…there are also dormers who have sex in the balconies, their bedrooms, or the comfort rooms.” The careless use of vague plurals and adverbs such as usually and often exaggerate the extent and degree to which these offenses actually occur in the dorm. Only a small percentage of dormers smoke cigarettes and marijuana, and only an even smaller percentage do it in their rooms. Such infractions are frowned on by the greater majority of dormers, and peer pressure is often brought to bear on violators. Sex in the dorm is a very rare occurrence – there have been no reported incidents. Contrary to how the article tells it, there is almost no opportunity for this to happen. All in all, the dorm is a very wholesome environment to live in, and the Dorm Council and residence halls administration are always working to provide a holistic formation for the resident students.

We condemn The Guidon for the irresponsible brand of journalism which results in a sensationalized article such as this. First of all, they failed to provide a balanced perspective. On the issue of violations happening in the dorm, the article was basically written on what Louie had to say. To make matters worse, their source came up to the Dorm Council and pointed out how the things he said were misquoted and taken out of context. This is not just putting a spin to the article, this is almost spinning a yarn. The resident students, the dorm guards, administration, and staff make up a distinct community. For an outsider like The Guidon to write about us this way without knowing us very well is inexcusable. The writers should have clarified their facts with other dormers and with the Dorm Council.

We feel that as the official publication of the Ateneo, The Guidon should be held to high standards. Their reckless portrayal of dorm culture has many repercussions. The misinformation which results from such lazy reporting tarnishes the reputation of dormers, dorm alumni, and the Ateneo.

The ARSA Dorm council demands an apology from the writers of the article and the editors of The Guidon, and calls on the The Guidon to rectify the errors they have made in the article.

ARSA community
The dorm council believes that the “Behind Closed Doors” article and the implications that follow should serve as a wake up call for the dorm community.

The article exposed the negative aspects of our community. Yet, it proved one thing – that despite the changes that had happened, we all still consider ARSA as our home. Two new dormitories were constructed and 300 more resident students were added yet we still consider ARSA our home away from home. This is the foundation of our unity.

Bombarding the Guidon with commentaries filled with the falsities of the article is just one indicator of us dormers setting aside our differences io unite for a cause – to unite for our home. However, the dorm council would like to clarify that the current issue is not a dispute between ARSA and Guidon and it has never been that way. Let us be reminded that this measure is not the real battle we should take on.

The real issue is our community itself. It is of utmost importance that we reflect on how we are as dormers in relation to the mission statement of ARSA. We should commit more fully to our values of Cura Personalis, Cultural Integrity, Ignatian Spirituality, Creative Passion, Academic Excellence, Pananagutan (willing accountability), Mas (doing Magis the dorm way), and Family. It is only through the inculcation of these values in our lives that we become better ARSAns, and in effect better Ateneans.

As one of the repercussions of the article, all eyes are on us now. The article has created for us a stage where every step we take will never be left unnoticed. But be not afraid. The ARSA community has nothing to be afraid of. We should, in fact, be grateful for what has happened.

The dorm council calls upon all ARSAns to use this issue in a positive way. Let this time of turbulence serve as an opportunity for us to show to the whole Ateneo community who we really are. Let us use this issue to prove our critics wrong. Let us show them that we are the complete opposite of the stereotypes attached to us. We do not come to class late. We come to class wearing a decent attire. And we perform well in class.

Residence Halls Administration
The dorm council reaffirms its support for the Residence Halls Administration. The council believes that Timothy Gabuna continues to serve his duties well as Residence Halls director and more importantly, as our loving father. We are still the apples of his eyes and we are proud to be labeled as such. He has never failed to provide the necessary things needed for us to grow as mature individuals. He has never neglected his responsibility in reprimanding the misdoings of dormers and in giving out necessary sanctions.

The dorm council also expresses its appreciation to the dorm security personnel for continuing to provide a conducive and secure living environment. Aside from ensuring the protection of the dormers from unwanted events, dorm security guards more importantly, serve as counsels. They do more than what is asked from them. And on this note, the dorm council greatly appreciates the service they offer.

Despite this, the dorm council calls for a review of the residence halls policy with regard to security as highlighted by the article. A revamp of security personnel is not a solution. We believe the service which the dorm security personnel offer can still be improved, without dorm security personnel being reassigned elsewhere. The dorm council suggests a stricter implementation of the rules without compromising our individual privacy.

Ross Raphael Bascuna
ARSA President

Steve Andrew Ladan
Secretary of Organizational Development

Karen Naranjo
Secretary of Special Projects

Kirsten Casas
Secretary of Communications

Jason Gaisano
Secretary of Finance

Mikey Solomon
Secretary of Student Services

K-ly Yap
Hall Governess – UDS

Ramon Ramos
Hall Governor – UDN

Iko dela Cruz
Hall Governess – Eliazo

MJ Fulgencio
Hall Governor – Cervini