MORE THAN just being Sanggunian president, Omi Castañar (V AB DS) also proves he could lead beyond the Ateneo.
On July 12, Castañar was elected president of the Union of Catholic Student Councils (UCSC), which aims to protect students’ welfare and help them become prime movers of the nation’s progress.
School of Humanities Central Board Representative Kurt Cendaña (II AB IS), Ateneo’s other representative to the UCSC, said the UCSC also aims to serve as a venue where various schools and universities can convene when making a stand on social issues.
UCSC schools include the Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of Sto. Tomas, and Assumption College, among others.
Helping other universities
“[UCSC] has four pillars: sustainable development, good governance, Christian values, and citizen empowerment,” said Castañar. “Part of that would be creating discernment circles within the union, within the student council, so that we can [discuss] relevant issues right now such as the reproductive health bill.”
One of Castañar’s goals this school year is to expand the membership of the UCSC, which currently has 10 member schools. The UCSC has been recruiting new members, like the San Juan de Dios School for Nursing, San Beda College Alabang, and Sta. Rita College in Parañaque.
He added that the things Ateneans take for granted in their own University may not be readily available in other schools. “I think the union can help the other universities in that aspect,” he said.
One school, one vote
Each school had two representatives each during the UCSC elections. They, however, were only entitled to one vote, said Castañar.
“We can’t have both representatives as officers of the union,” he said.
Sanggu Social Concern and External Affiliations Chair Rob Roque (II BS Ch MSE) said that Castañar, being president of the UCSC, does not make Sanggunian the president of the student councils.
“Omi is president. He’s representing himself, not [the] Sanggu,” he said.
Castañar added, “Being the president of the Sanggunian is still my top priority.”
Bound
Castañar said that, before, UCSC was only a coordinating body where member schools and universities can update each other.
“We’re trying to make the union a place wherein other Catholic schools and universities can converse, can talk about relevant issues in their schools,” said Castañar. He said, for example, that some of the member schools have no Magna Carta for undergraduates.
“Last year, San Beda wanted to have their own Magna Carta. So they drafted their own, and had us check it for them,” Cendaña said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Castañar said that the UCSC is also trying to influence other Catholic universities to have their own Magna Carta.
“[The UCSC is] more of sharing of the best practices of the universities,” Castañar said.
