First "OSCARs" for Loyola Schools student organizations held

The Office of Student Activities launched the OSCARs: Onboarding Session on the Code and Rules for Student Organizations on September 17, 2021 via Microsoft Teams. It was an orientation specifically designed for the Executive Board of all Loyola Schools student organizations on the university's Code of Decorum and Administrative Rules on Sexual Harassment, Other Forms of Sexual Misconduct, and Inappropriate Behavior. It also featured an introduction to the implementation of the No Contact Agreement and the No Contact Order in the context of student activities. The session included a reintroduction of the Loyola Schools Gender Hub of their services that are available to student organizations and a learning session on Giving Your A.L.L. (Attend. Listen. Link.) as a way to respond and show support to peers with experiences of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

The OSCARs was attended by 181 Executive Board officers of different student organizations coming from the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo - Manila (COA-M) and the League of Independent Organizations (LIOns). It was the student organizations’ first formal introduction to the basic structure of the different gender-mainstreaming offices within the university as headed by Dr. Melissa Lao, Director of the University Gender and Development Office (UGDO). Together with Atty. Alma Pavia, Director of the University Office of Decorum and Investigation (UODI), they discussed the reporting system and prevention mechanisms set in place to ultimately put a stop to incidents of SGBV within the university, including the student activities community.

The goal of this session is to elevate even further the standards that our registered student organizations are expected to meet and uphold. It is to this end that the OSCARs will be held yearly and attendance to the session of at least one Executive Board officer is required for all student organizations to complete the annual registration process. The Office of Student Activities believes that awareness of how to address and respond to these sensitive issues is vital to an excellent student organization. OSA invites all student leaders to join the fight against SGBV and in the mission of creating safe spaces for all.