University Committee on Decorum and Investigation (Memo U2122-024)

I am pleased to announce the appointment of the members of the University Committee on Decorum and Investigation (UCODI) effective immediately as of the date of this memo:

Ms Christine C Natividad, Araling Panlipunan Subject Area Coordinator at the Junior High School, shall serve as the UCODI Chairperson with a term ending on 31 May 2024. She is currently a member of the JHS School Committee on Decorum and Investigation, and has served as a member of the interim UCODI from 2020 to the present. She was also a part of the technical working group that helped in drafting the Code and Rules.

Dr Ma Lourdes V Rallonza, Associate Professor at the Loyola Schools, shall serve as the UCODI Co-Chairperson with a term ending on 31 May 2023. She is currently the Director for Asia Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect-Philippine Office and a member of the Loyola Schools Gender Focal Point Committee.

The UCODI is established to perform the following functions:

1. Serve as an independent internal mechanism that will investigate all incidents or complaints involving University employee sexual harassment, other forms of sexual misconduct, and inappropriate behavior within the scope of the Code of Decorum and Administrative Rules on Sexual Harassment, Other Forms of Sexual Misconduct, and Inappropriate Behavior (Code and Rules);
2. Propose to the University Gender and Development Office policies, procedures, and guidelines to enhance prevention, investigation, protection, and assistance to parties including, but not limited to, proposals to amend or supplement the Code and Rules;
3. Develop internal guidelines to ensure the proper handling of cases by the UCODI hearing panels; and
4. Perform such other functions as may be necessary to enable it to achieve its mandate.

To further prepare them for this important task, they will undergo mandatory gender and sensitivity training and orientation on the Code and Rules. They will also undergo continuing training in the course of their service.

The school units shall likewise establish its School Committee on Decorum and Investigation (SCODI) that shall investigate incidents and complaints involving peer to peer sexual-related infractions.

On behalf of the Ateneo de Manila, I would like to thank the new members of the UCODI for their gracious acceptance of this mission. 

Let us support the new UCODI members with our cooperation and prayers as we work together to create a safer school environment. May the Holy Spirit grant them wisdom in their deliberations and recommendations.