Cross-clarity
Having an org life is one of the most important facets of the college experience. To a lot of people, the org serves as a productive outlet where members are able to hone their skills and interests outside the classroom.
In the Ateneo, there are currently 49 accredited student organizations to choose from, each one promising an experience like no other. It is also the home of many student organizations of immense talent. For example, the Ateneo Debate Society is one of Asia’s best student debate teams, while the awards that the Ateneo College Glee Club garnered in their recent European tour illustrate the extraordinary level of international recognition it has.
But did you know that some members of the Ateneo DanceSports Club (ADSC) have won several prominent ballroom dancing competitions in the past? Or that the Frisbee devotees of the Loyola Ultimate Disc Association (LUDA) are also active members of the Philippine Ultimate Association?
ADSC and LUDA are just two of the 23 unaccredited orgs under the relatively new League of Independent Organizations (Lions), and the disparity of exposure among orgs is shown through the less recognized achievements of unaccredited orgs that are often overshadowed by the big boys.
I had the opportunity to interview several unaccredited org presidents for an article. As I sat in a Lions meeting, I noticed how much enthusiasm this group of students had toward having their orgs reach out more to the Ateneo community.
Being an unaccredited org does have its share of misconceptions, such as the assumption that these orgs aren’t taken as seriously compared to those with an accreditation status. Another is that these orgs are still vying for accreditation. In reality, though, many orgs choose to remain unaccredited due to the difficult systematic processes required by the Office of Student Activities.
The org presidents have noted these misconceptions, and reaffirmed that accreditation didn’t really matter to them since all they wanted was an avenue to share a common interest with other people. Walter Young, the Chancellor of Lions, mentioned that an organization doesn’t necessarily have to be “official” to cater to a community with a shared interest.
Although Lions is a relatively new concept, its premise is quite promising. Its primary aim is to become the bridge for communication between unaccredited orgs and COA. Whether it is to address concerns or to gain more exposure in campus, Lions provides the needed gateway for these orgs.
It may be too early to assess Lions’ performance, but kudos to the Sanggunian for its efforts to help these orgs. Some of these orgs have been around for quite some time, but they remain almost unheard of in campus talk.
Without a doubt, though, passion is not signified by accreditation status. Be it for the love of art, capoeira, magic trade cards or even Japanese culture, passion is the very lifeline of these orgs. While the diverse range of interests they cater to may not hit mainstream appeal, it doesn’t mean that their accomplishments should be shunned away from the spotlight.
