DESPITE THE intrigues and controversies that hounded last year’s administration, this year’s batch of Sanggunian ng Mag-aaral officers is decidedly upbeat.
Focusing on their work as student representatives, this year’s batch of Sanggu officers “ensures a successful student government that the next set of officers will build upon,” Sanggu President Omi Castañar (V AB DS) said.
In an interview with The GUIDON, Castañar outlined the following ways to achieve Sanggu’s goals for the first semester:
a) Ensuring the right systems are in place, including their Code of Internal Procedures (CIP)
b) Going back to the roots of a student government, by focusing more on student representation rather than projects
c) Putting more emphasis on opportunities to dialogue with students and administrators
Plans of action
Castañar said that “drafting and approving the CIP is just the beginning.” The key to a successful year for the Sanggu, he said, is being strict in implementing their CIP and dedicated in running their services such as the Ateneo Student Concern Center (ASCC).
Secretary-General Pepi Sison (III BS HSc) said that the focus of the Central Board this year is “to achieve the KRA’s (key result areas) we set.”
The KRA’s, according to Sison, are improved facilities and administrative services, promotion of responsible citizenry, and lobbying for students’ rights.
Central Board committees
The Sanggu plans to strengthen dialogue between the administrators and the students through the different committees of its Central Board.
One of these is the Committee for Non-Academic Formation, which will help in reviewing the Integrated Non-Academic Formation programs such as the Introduction to Ateneo Culture and Traditions, National Service Training Program, and the Junior Engagement Program.
“The Committee on Students Rights and Welfare (Straw) will focus in creating a more responsive system that would not only address the various concerns of the students through ASCC, but also in promoting and protecting the rights of the students,” Castañar said.
Focusing on improving administrative services and facilities in Loyola Schools is the Committee on Internal Affairs, he added. One of their ongoing projects is environmental management through the Ateneo Environmental Management Coalition (see related story on p.2).
The Sanggu also has a Committee on Social Concern and External Affiliations, which is currently working with the Issue and Policy Analysis cluster of the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo. “Their main goal for this coming semester is to ensure that the students know about the pertinent issues,” Castañar said.
School Boards
On the other hand, the school boards have three uniform goals, according to Castañar:
a) To improve academic support to the students,
b) To strengthen the commnnity within the schools, and,
c) To help further in forming the students to become professionals for others.
School of Science and Engineering (SOSE) Chairperson Kristine Claire Ongcangco (IV BS MIS) said that their projects do not just aim for community-building.
“All have their significant contribution in forming the SOSE students as Ateneans…that would help them grow as a leader and of becoming [scientists or technologists] for others,” she said.
Castañar said that through support and guidance, the projects and programs can help in the formation of Ateneans into becoming professionals for others.
“The School Board have tried to incorporate the Ignatian values and the spirit of nation-building in all that we’ve been doing, even in meetings,” he said.
Assemblies per month
The Sanggu also plans to hold a Direct Consultative Assembly (DCA) per month. “This should be our regular report regarding the status of our projects, representation, and other operations,” Castañar said.
The Sanggu will also to launch a website later in June, to improve their transparency in their operations and representation.
