OSA lauds top performing orgs

By Englebert A. Villegas

As an incentive to the top 13 performing student organizations out of 52 evaluated groups, Office of Student Affairs (OSA) rewarded them with Xavier Hall offices effective this academic year 2012-2013.

Right after the Student Organizations Awards and Recognition (SOAR) last 24 February, the OSA had already informed the organizations which will occupy empty rooms – resulting to six co-curricular and seven extra-curricular groups at Xavier Hall.

The Ateneo Consortium of Technological Information and Computing Sciences (TACTICS), Samahan ng Tagapagtaguyod ng Edukasyong Pilipino (STEP), Liga ng Estudyante sa Agham Pampulitika (LEAP), Ateneo de Naga Biology Majors (ANBIOM), Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA), College Red Cross Youth, Engineering and Youth for Christ were the organizations removed from the Xavier Hall.

Meanwhile, Ateneo Paradigm Eclat Xircle (APEX), Progressive Organization of English and Literature Majors (POEM), Ateneo Nursing Students’ Association (ANSA), Ateneo Sarong Bangui Junior Eagles, Uswag Junior Eagles, Ateneo Literary Association (ALA) and Digital Artist League of Ateneo are the new occupants.

Pathways to Higher Education, however, replaced the latter upon being informed of Digital’s decision to use its previous working place.

On one hand, organizations namely: Days with the Lord (DWTL) – Women, Association of Psychology Students of Ateneo (APSA), Media Studies Society (MSS), Eagles for Environment and Ateneo Young Entrepreneurs (AYE) retained their offices.

Each of the top three organizations—Uswag Junior Eagles, APSA and AYE— has a term of two years while the others have only a year to occupy their respective offices. Meantime, ThePILLARS Publication, Ateneo Supreme Student Government and Triumph are permanent residents of Xavier Hall.

Straight to the Pointing System

To have an objective way of identifying excelling organizations, the OSA formulated a pointing system, as incorporated in the Organizational Support and Assistance Program, to measure their performances.

The standard of giving credits to organizational achievements consists of two categories: requirements submitted—35 percent (%) and activities conducted—65%.

The first criterion refers to the mid-year and end-year reports and the completeness of the documents submitted. None of the organizations are accredited at this moment because of the “two years in existence requirement”, considering that the system just commenced last school year.

The second one concerns the activities conducted by the organizations, catering to the holistic formation of the members and support to the external community as well.

OSA suggested a set of different areas of growth which the organizations’ activities might dwell on such as skill development, spiritual undertakings,  team building activities, special projects, social advocacies and not only meetings.

 “With the result we presented to them, it would be a challenge for them to step up to their game, to be excellent students, to continue nurturing themselves, and this an indication that we are serious about our program,” Program Officer for Student Development & Student Organizations’ Formation and Training Trish Penelope Araña said.

Proving Thy Self

Due to the limited facilities for organizations, extra-curricular associations without headquarters are permitted to utilize empty university rooms during the activity period while co-curricular entities can do meeting in their home departments.

According to JPIA President Joaquin Paolo Moreno, they were not able to catch up with the new system, bearing in mind that OSA was very much particular with paper works.

“Nakakapanibago ng feeling kasi wala pa sa Ateneo, may office na ang JPIA. I hope that the new admin [JPIA] will learn from the glaring mistake from my federation regarding recordkeeping,” Moreno stated.

Also, he added that all ousted organizations need to exert more effort, to prove themselves once again and to adapt with the new system. “Convinced ako sa resulta ta before pa man, na-brief na kami about sa bagong sistema.”

On the other hand, USWAG former President Mary Grace Villar, now Coordinator for Student Support Services and Linkages of OSA, said that “Maigot na ngunyan ang mga orgs ta may objective way na of determining kung isay na mga orgs ang gadan na, kung pasain talaga, a proof na lifeblood ng orgs ang members nito”.

“Meron na kaming malalagyan ng equipment, mas madali pag may announcements, may taguan ng mga files at mae-encourage ang mga students na magdayon sa mga orgs,” answered Villar when ask about the benefits of being rewarded.

“Doon sa mga natanggal ,at wala pang workplace, they must see this in a positive way, as a privilege and a challenge, as an opportunity for them to be better this school year. And for those who have been awarded with new offices or ‘yung andito pa, congratulations. Still do your best this time,” Arana ended with a message to all organizations.