Do your best – OSA

This is your added chance. Do your best if not better than last year.

Thus said Office of Student Affairs’ (OSA) Program Officer for Student Development and Student Organizations’ Formation and Training Trish Penelope B. Araña who shoved student organizations’ competencies in the pursuit of their respective goals this A/Y 2013-2014.

As early as 13 March, the OSA already sent letters to the organizations about their office tenure status at Xavier Hall. Last 1 April, a ceremonial was conducted at the Instructional Media Center where the OSA had awarded the top performing organizations with their office spaces.

And on 1 May, the awardees were already allowed to occupy their headquarters. The OSA also gave the organizations the privilege to acquire their very own bulletin boards.

Ousted, Transferred, Remained
Basing on the requirements given and the activities conducted last academic year, the OSA made the final list of student organizations which will be granted with workplaces.

The instance was related also to Student Organizations Awards and Recognition Night 2013 last 25 February where the nominees were screened through a pointing system, probing all the reports, evaluations, school performance, activities and completed requirements submitted by the organizations.

The results, unfortunately, made Progressive Organization of English and Literature Majors, Ateneo Nursing Students’ Association, Association of Psychology Students of Ateneo and Pathways for Higher Education Youth Group (PYG) vacate the premises of Xavier Hall.

However, Samahang Tagapagtaguyod ng Edukasyong Pilipino, which had just returned the favor for last year’s room sharing with PYG, adopted the latter.

“Nasabihan na naman namin sila during the start of the school year about our pointing system and the rewards or consequences base dun sa mga gagawin nila for the entire year, kaya feeling ko naman nauunawaan nila ‘yung sitwasyon,” said Araña.

“Yung medyo naging problema lang ‘yung ‘di agad pag-evacuate ng ANSA kasi ‘yung president nila eh ‘di pumupunta sa office kaya dumulog na lang kami sa department nila tapos sila na lang doon ‘yung kinausap, added Araña.

“Good luck! Do your jobs well. Conduct more high-quality activities and participate sa events na ginagawa ng OSA. Sa mga natanggalan ng office, may chance pa naman kayo this school year,” advised Araña.
Meanwhile, Ateneo Nature Crusaders, Economic Society and Junior Philippine institute of Accountants replaced the ejected organizations in Xavier Hall.

According to Araña, even if they want all the organizations to have their own offices, they cannot do so due to inadequate room areas. Moreover, OSA requested the current occupants if they can adopt one organization which will share with their office.

“Nasa plano naming i-require ang mga orgs na 3-in-1 na sa office pero ang dating kasi ‘nun eh ‘di na s’ya privilege for the top performing orgs kaya ngayon, we are asking the PPA [Property and Plant Administration] to construct a Conference Room sa Xavier na pwedeng magamit ng mga organizations, halimbawa kung mag-memeeting sila,” revealed Araña.

She also said that they are soliciting the help of Parent-Teacher Association to donate LCDs and other useful equipment that the students can exclusively utilize for their respective organizations.

When asked whether having an office is a factor being considered by students applying for organizations, Araña uttered that it is a ‘personal choice’.

“Kaya naman we are inviting all the students to participate in the Student Organizations' Festival on 8-12 July. It would be a great experience for them, something they can’t encounter sa classrooms nila,” ended Araña.

Here is the list of organizations with offices at Xavier Hall:

Ateneo Catechetical Instruction League (ACIL)
Ateneo EAGLES for Environment, Inc.
Ateneo Literary Association (ALA)
Ateneo Nature Crusaders
Ateneo Paradigm Éclat Xircle (APEX)
Ateneo Sarong Bangui Junior Eagles (ASBJE)
Ateneo Young Entrepreneurs (AYE)
Days with the Lord-Women (DWTL-W)
Economic Society (ECOSOC)
Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA)
Media Studies Society (MSS)
Samahang Tagapagtaguyod ng Edukasyong Pilipino
Uswag Ateneo Junior Eagles