UGDO Bulletin January to April 2023

The UGDO Bulletin from January to April 2023 highlighted various key themes and events at the Ateneo de Manila University. The bulletin covered significant topics such as the return of the INTACT Safe Spaces Module, onboarding and gender sensitivity training, updates on code and rules revisions, conversations on university decorum and investigation system, the opening of the "Multiplying Grace: The Math and Art of Mari-Jo Ruiz" exhibit, lactation room updates, the introduction of the minor in Gender Studies, and the celebration of Women's Month 2023 with a focus on innovation, inclusivity, and equality. These initiatives and activities demonstrate the university's commitment to promoting a safe, inclusive, and transformative environment for its students and community members.

INTACT Safe Spaces Module 2023: Back Onsite

The INTACT Program accompanies a first year first-year students of the Loyola Schools and assists them in “adjustment to Ateneo college life, provides opportunities for continuing self-discovery and awareness, and introduces you to the school’s culture and traditions which are rooted in Filipino, Catholic, and Jesuit values” contains one module for the discussion of “safe spaces.”  For SY 2022 -23, the module was run from February 27 to March 17. 

Training for Homeroom Advisers was held on January 12 while the training for Student Facilitators was held on January 18.  Both training sessions were held onsite.  In addition to this, a meeting on March 2 was held to plan the synchronous session which was held on March 18 at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater. This synchronous (onsite) session was held in the morning and afternoon to accommodate the entire first year batch. 

Presenting in both sessions were representatives from the various offices and student organizations in the Loyola Schools in charge of safe spaces including the University Gender Hub, the University Office of Decorum and Investigation, the University Gender and Development Office, The LS Office of Student Discipline, LS OADSA, the Loyola Schools Gender Focal Point Committee, the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-Aaral ng mga paaralang Loyola, the Sanggunian Commission on Anti Sexual Misconduct and Violence (CASMV) and the Commission on Gender Equality (CGE). 
 

Onboarding and GST for the Second Semester

The Orientation for New and Returning Faculty of the Loyola Schools (which is organized by TFI or Teacher Formation Institute) took place online on Jan 28, with speakers from the University Gender Hub and the University Office of Decorum and Investigation. The LS Gender Hub gave a short presentation on “Safe Learning Spaces” as part of the list of topics for the day.  Around 40 new and returning faculty attended this session. 

The first LS school-based onboarding and GST session were held synchronously and onsite on March 28.  The School of Humanities was the first of five schools to undergo the school-based onboarding and GST under the UDIS system and in compliance with the Code and Rules, RA 1131 (section 22b) or the Safe Spaces Act and CHED NCR CRM 28 series of 2020.  This activity was divided into two parts: the canvas module for onboarding and GST and the townhall meeting on “Best Practices on safe and inclusive classrooms” with speakers from SOSS (Mibo Borres of the Department of Psychology), SOH (Marichi Guevarra of IS) and JGSOM (Atty. Cathy Gonzales of JGSOM).

Finally, several activities were organized and held at the Basic Education level: GST with Grade 10 (AJHS Guidance Program in coordination with the ASHS Gender Hub and the ASHS Lakambini Committee) last February 15 via livestream and the ASHS PUSH Parenting Webinar “Conversations in SOGIESC” held online via zoom last April 1 with speakers from the ASHS Community and the University and ASHS Gender Hub.

Code and Rules Revision Updates

The third-year audit of the Code and Rules (in compliance with Section 24.2 and 26) commenced in August of 2022 and is currently in the Phase 2 of the audit.  This includes a stakeholder survey and review of CODI and SCODI recommendations.  The first Phase (legal and document review) was complemented in compliance with CHED Memo 3 2022. 

The University Community will be informed of the steps to be undertaken for Phase 3 (process review and call for proposed changes) through UGDO channels of communication.  For the original memo, please refer to: https://www.ateneo.edu/document/2022/08/30/audit-code-decorum-administration-rules-sexual-harassment-other-forms-sexual

 

UDIS Conversation with Fr. John Guiney                                        

The Directors of the University Gender and Development Office, University Gender Hub and the University Office of Decorum and Investigation met with Fr. John Guiney, Project Coordinator of the Promotion of Consistent Culture of Protection (PCCP), Jesuit Social Justice Secretariat (SJES) and Dr. Sandra Racionero Plaza of the Universidad Loyola Andalucia last February 9. Discussions on the structures and functions of the UDIS system and possible ways forward were key to this meeting that the Office of the President arranged. Details were shared via the SJES twitter account.

 

Opening of “Multiplying Grace: The Math and Art of Mari-Jo Ruiz” Exhibit

The opening program of the exhibit “Multiplying Grace: The Math and Art of Mari-Jo Ruiz” was held on March 20 at the Ateneo Library for Women’s Writings (ALIWW).  The program opened with remarks by Dr. Maria Luz Vilches, Vice President for Higher Education, and a prayer by Dr. Emma Porio of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology and Ateneo CCAR-PH. Messages of thanks were given by Joanna Ruiz, Dr. Edna Manlapaz, Dr. Khursten Santos (ALIWW Director), and Dr. Roberto Galang (Dean, JGSOM). The exhibit was curated by Ms. Isabel Nazareno of the Department of History. 

Colleagues of Dr. Ruiz from the Department of Mathematics, JGSOM Management Engineering Program, and LS and Central Admin were also in attendance. 

Updates on Lactation rooms

The SHS Lactation Room was blessed last March 17.  The lactation room for SHS is located in Room 112B of the ASHS Building. For the information of the University Community, the following are the location of lactation rooms on the different campuses:

• ASMPH Clinic
• Room 303 Rockwell Campus
• LS Childcare, 2nd floor Social Sciences Building
• Room 11B ASHS Building
• AJHS Satellite Clinic
• AGS San Jose Manggagawa (formerly Laureles SiPag room)
   

Minor in Gender Studies

The Minor in Gender Studies is now being offered through the LS Department of Sociology and Anthropology. The minor was presented to the School Forum on April 14 and the School Council on May 3 as well as the LS Committee of the BOT (in the same month).  The Minor consists of 15 required credits and is an interdisciplinary academic program that aims to “expose students to key concepts, theoretical perspectives, debates, and methodological approaches in gender studies. The program equips students with analytical tools to critically assess historical, socio-economic, cultural, political, and ideological dimensions of the gender question cognizant of their intersectionality with class, race, ethnicity, age, sexuality, and religion. The program develops an innovative mindset among students to generate transformative solutions to contemporary gender issues.” For more information, please contact the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at +632 8426 6001 local 5270/71.
 

Women’s Month 2023: Innovation, Inclusivity, and Equality 

The Ateneo de Manila University celebrated the Women of Ateneo and their contribution to the University in the last five decades in the month of March with an invitation to the University Community to celebrate our women leaders, innovators, and educators who continue to inspire future generations towards transformational change.  For the list of activities held by the different units, schools, offices, and organizations to celebrate Women’s Month, UGDO released a special bulletin for Women's Month