AS THE University Residence Halls (URH) resumes normal operations, dormers have been reporting several security and welfare-related concerns in their everyday living conditions. Particularly, current student dormers have been echoing long-standing problems related to the URH’s facilities, utilities, and noise control.
Given these recent re-emerging issues, Ateneo Resident Students Association (ARSA) Vice President for Internal Affairs Kim Ronquillo shared that the organization is in direct communication with the URH administration for any issues arising within Residence Hall grounds.
Specifying the process, Ronquillo said that complaints start from reports given by dorms’ floor representatives until they reach the administration’s office. “What [we] do is mainly to disseminate information—we bridge the gap between the dormers and the admin,” he added.
Voicing out concerns
To formally receive these complaints and reports, Ronquillo elaborated that their office has multiple Google Forms where dormers can freely detail their grievances, provide feedback, and access emergency lines in times of need.
“Dormers are able to report concerns either through ARSA’s Board of Representatives, our feedback systems, or directly to the URH Operations team. [They] also seek input from ARSA as to […] how certain concerns can be best addressed,” ARSA President Angela Yu added.
According to Ronquillo, ARSA receives formal complaints related to dormers’ academic needs, alongside the dysfunction of basic necessities and utilities within the dorm. “One of the most [common] issues complained about in URH is the quality of the internet access. On top of that, nawawala ‘yung tubig (water interruptions occur) in Eliazo,” Ronquillo said.
Relating to these issues, Brendaun Santillan (1 BS MIS) stated the need for URH to renovate certain facilities, as bathrooms and living spaces are in disrepair due to the lack of proper maintenance.
“There are broken doors here and there, floors that slightly flood, and showers that aren’t as functional as they could be,” Santillan recounted.
Dormer Semaj Comedoy (1 AB DipIR) also cited persistent connectivity issues even after the URH internally promised to upgrade its internet bandwidth at the beginning of the academic year.
“During the end of the first semester, the URH promised to install routers in every dorm room to accommodate a faster wifi experience, but that has not been fulfilled [yet],” Comedoy added.
Furthermore, Kaitlyn Silva (1 BS MIS) mentioned disturbances and distractions, noting that noises from other rooms penetrate the dormitory’s thin walls.
Given these concerns, the three dormers expressed that the URH administration should prioritize initiatives that are aimed at addressing most of the dormers’ immediate needs and grievances.
Changing the status quo
In response to these concerns, Ronquillo asserted that ARSA tries to be as transparent as possible to the dormers while engaging in conversations with the URH administration.
“ARSA has been doing [its] best to bridge the gap between dormers and the URH. In order to curb these issues, kailangan talaga ng action (we need action) from the URH,” Ronquillo mentioned.
Additionally, Ronquillo revealed that only recently, there have been more meetings with the URH due to internal administrative restructures. Particularly, he noted that the new Officer-in-Charge, Giancarlo Tuazon, has been actively reaching out to ARSA regarding dormer concerns.
Supporting Ronquillo’s sentiments, Yu said that the new administration has been taking more action and note of current living conditions and concerns within the dorms. In addition, she appreciates that the admin has been more “hands-on” with addressing issues.
With the URH Team mostly new to the office, Tuazon shared that they remain open to feedback and criticism, striving to be quicker in responding to dormers’ issues. Assessing the URH situation with fresh perspectives, the office’s recent initiatives include innovating complaint systems and, to combat violations, collaboratively ideating a disciplinary system that can be made more “formative than punitive.”
Advocating safer living spaces
Ultimately, Tuazon highlighted that maintaining the URH is ultimately a team effort. Aside from ARSA, they closely collaborate with other Ateneo offices to ensure food safety, functional facilities, and proper implementation of security policies.
As the office continually reviews current policies and procedures, Tuazon acknowledged the importance of stakeholder input in improving the Residence Halls’ operations. “Our aim is to promote among our residents a strong sense of communal, shared responsibility, as the URH is their second home,” he expressed.
Likewise, Ronquillo expressed hopes with the recent developments in the level of engagement between ARSA and URH. This stronger partnership, Ronquillo expressed, can hopefully lead to alleviating the new and recurring issues that the residents experience.
