Reminders on Existing Guidelines on Campus Sustainability (Memo U2425-042)

As we continue to celebrate the Season of Creation, the Ateneo de Manila community is enjoined to renew our commitment in embodying our role as stewards of our common home. Thus, I wish to remind the community regarding select existing policies and guidelines which are expected to be observed by everyone on campus.

The Ateneo Sustainability Policies and Specific Guidelines which have been in place since June 2016 have stipulations on the following areas:

On lights and equipment

1. Turn off lights when room is not in use and at the end of the day
2. Unplug equipment after use, whenever applicable

On airconditioning units

1. Set thermostat between 21 to 23°, or higher 
2. Turn on airconditioning units (at most) 30 minutes before the start of scheduled room use 
3. Turn off airconditioning units at least 30 minutes before the end of scheduled room use

On paper

1. Avoid unnecessary printing by going paperless or utilizing electronic transactions whenever possible
2. Collect and use papers which can be utilized for double-sided printing

On food packing

1. Use reusable tablewares, including plates, cutleries, and glasses
2.  Do not use Styrofoam, disposable polystyrene, and laminates
3. Avoid nonbiodegradable disposable food packaging, such as plastic, and less preferable options such as starch-based packaging
4. Avoid individual nonbiodegradable packaging, such as single-serve PET bottles, tetra packs, and sachet packaging for condiments
5. Inform corporate franchises, food sponsors, and caterers of the existing policies and enforce for their full compliance

The Ateneo Institute of Sustainability is in the process of proposing revisions to the 2016 Sustainability Guidelines building up on the preliminary updates made in 2022. In particular, in response to our changing realities, certain policies on energy efficiency and food packaging are being revisited. As we continue to take on the collective role of building a more sustainable Ateneo de Manila, the community is enjoined to suggest revisions by emailing ais@ateneo.edu.

Cohabitating with us on campus are our resident cats who perform rodent management on our grounds. With this, the community is urged to assist in the implementation of our Ateneo Community Cat Program Guidelines 2024 version by heeding these reminders:

On cats 

1. Do not pet, tame, or play with the cats
2. Do not feed the cats as there are designated feeders on campus
3. Report cats without notched ears to our Campus Safety and Mobility Office (csmo@ateneo.edu) as these cats may not have been neutered or vaccinated

While the reminders presented above are a call for action directed for individual student, faculty, administrator, professional, and staff, Ateneo de Manila reaffirms its commitment to sustainable development by complementing these personal action points with institutional policies and structural strategies.

Additionally, these guidelines are in place as they predispose the community to sustainable practices and lifestyles. We continue, however, to hope and aspire for continuous ecological conversion and behavioral change within the Ateneo de Manila community, such that our actions will be guided by a profound discernment on the impact of our choices and our lifestyle to the environment and the rest of the creation.

Ad majorem Dei gloriam.