the Little Things of Change

 

The Directorate is the highest policy making body of the Central Student Government. If you recall your Pol Sci class, it is the equivalent of Congress. This year marks the 15^th year of the existence of the Directorate and this is the reason why it is called the 15^th Directorate.  It is an organic body composed of the elected Presidents of the council and 2 sectoral representatives. These are the Chairpersons of the Xavier University – United Religious Organizations and the Assembly of Extra-Curricular Organizations. Their major mandated task is to craft and pass legislation. For the past months in session, here are the key contributions of the 15^th Directorate. 

 

Setting the trend Opening of the 15^th Directorate– this is the first time the Directorate officially opened witnessed by the Leadership Community and Administration during the summer. It is also where the triumvirate individually addressed the congregation of their vision and plans. We hope to start a tradition of this sort.

 

Creation of the Xavier Students’ Action Center – Still in its infancy, this center hopes to carry effectively the processing of students’ concerns and complaints.

 

The integration of the Magna Carta and Student Org Awareness into the new FFP Curriculum – this is a collaborative effort between the Directorate and the Freshmen Formation Program that aims to cultivate the sense of involvement for the freshmen. This is planned to be implemented in the next school year.

 

Formation of the XU Green Crusade (Legislation Package) – This is a series of enactments that aims to stir the consciousness of students and their council about the need to keep our surroundings clean. This includes the banning of Styr phones from the councils and the initial creation of an autonomous body charge of organizing and implemented environmental initiatives sponsored by the United Arts and Sciences Student Council and XU United Religious Organization through their Green Hour.

 

The enrolment assistance of our Muslim brothers and sisters – This enactment is applied every time the Holy month of Ramadan falls under enrolment or payment of fees. This hopes to aid our Muslim brothers and sisters in reducing any physical burden in time when they fast and contemplate deeply the presence Allah.

 

Extra-Curricular operational subsidy – in partnership with the Office of President of the CSG, finally the extra-curricular organizations are given operation capital of Php 5,000 every semester.

 

Creation of the Xavier University Student Leaders’ Code of Ethics – this is a code that hopes to guide student leaders to be examples of Atenean moral decency.

 

1^st XU Forum – this a gathering of the student leadership community that aims to identify in consensus the major concerns present and future governments should prioritize. We aim that it will become an annual official gathering before the start of the academic year for better and consistent direction setting.

 

Inclusion of the KKP-Chairman as a member of the Directorate – this is an expansion of the Directorate that aims to gather multiple student orientation especially in the socio-political involvements of students

 

The Directorate Blog – for transparency, record keeping, and interaction, the Directorate published its first blog. The address is www.the15thdirectorate.wordpress.com where you can get all the resolutions, statements, enactments, and important documents of the Central Student Government.

 

Blog to Blog campaign – an experimental initiative, the Directorate tapped the power of the blog world by requesting XU Bloggers to copy and paste the “12 Little Things Every Atenean can do to Help our XU Community” in their own blog sites.This initiative hopes to spur a little sense of responsibility in part of each individual and a ignite a sense of duty to  the community. This was also circulated through a Directorate memo around campus. We hope that this little reminder would spur a change in our consciousness.  

 

These are the humble contribution of the Directorate, as a deliberative body to the community. As you can see, these dwell more on the institutional and process development of the government for the student body in our hopes to set our reforms in the long-term. We hope that what we have nurtured would continue to bear good fruits for future generations to come. More has yet to be done.

Year End Review

The Directorate is the highest policy making body of the Central Student Government. If you recall your Pol Sci class, it is the equivalent of Congress. This year marks the 15th year of the existence of the Directorate and this is the reason why it is called the 15th Directorate. It is an organic body composed of the elected Presidents of the council and 2 sectoral representatives. These are the Chairpersons of the Xavier University – United Religious Organizations and the Assembly of Extra-Curricular Organizations. Their major mandated task is to craft and pass legislation. For the past months in session, here are the key contributions of the 15th Directorate.

Setting the trend Opening of the 15th Directorate– this is the first time the Directorate officially opened witnessed by the Leadership Community and Administration during the summer. It is also where the triumvirate individually addressed the congregation of their vision and plans. We hope to start a tradition of this sort.

Creation of the Xavier Students’ Action Center – Still in its infancy, this center hopes to carry effectively the processing of students’ concerns and complaints.

The integration of the Magna Carta and Student Org Awareness into the new FFP Curriculum – this is a collaborative effort between the Directorate and the Freshmen Formation Program that aims to cultivate the sense of involvement for the freshmen. This is planned to be implemented in the next school year.

Formation of the XU Green Crusade (Legislation Package) – This is a series of enactments that aims to stir the consciousness of students and their council about the need to keep our surroundings clean. This includes the banning of Styr phones from the councils and the initial creation of an autonomous body charge of organizing and implemented environmental initiatives sponsored by the United Arts and Sciences Student Council and XU United Religious Organization through their Green Hour.

The enrolment assistance of our Muslim brothers and sisters – This enactment is applied every time the Holy month of Ramadan falls under enrolment or payment of fees. This hopes to aid our Muslim brothers and sisters in reducing any physical burden in time when they fast and contemplate deeply the presence Allah.

Extra-Curricular operational subsidy – in partnership with the Office of President of the CSG, finally the extra-curricular organizations are given operation capital of Php 5,000 every semester.

Creation of the Xavier University Student Leaders’ Code of Ethics – this is a code that hopes to guide student leaders to be examples of Atenean moral decency.

1st XU Forum – this a gathering of the student leadership community that aims to identify in consensus the major concerns present and future governments should prioritize. We aim that it will become an annual official gathering before the start of the academic year for better and consistent direction setting.

Inclusion of the KKP-Chairman as a member of the Directorate – this is an expansion of the Directorate that aims to gather multiple student orientation especially in the socio-political involvements of students

The Directorate Blog – for transparency, record keeping, and interaction, the Directorate published its first blog. The address is http://www.the15thdirectorate.wordpress.com where you can get all the resolutions, statements, enactments, and important documents of the Central Student Government.

These are the humble contribution of the Directorate, as a deliberative body to the community. As you can see, these dwell more on the institutional and process development of the government for the student body in our hopes to set our reforms in the long-term. We hope that what we have nurtured would continue to bear good fruits for future generations to come. More has yet to be done.

THE 15TH DIRECTORATE’S STAND ON THE EVENTS OF MEETING DE AVANCE

We the members of the 15^th Directorate are saddened by the turn of events at the Meeting de Avance. We earnestly believe that some crucial information regarding the position of the student-paid CSG fee should be straightened out in the light of truth and should have been presented on an appropriate venue. In this light, we humbly request the Central Office to release a financial statement so as to settle this concern in a dignified and transparent manner once and for all in the best interest of the entire student body.

The act of clarification done by the CSG President at last night’s Meeting de Avance is inherently legal; however, the move was jeopardized due to the inappropriate venue. The main objective of Meeting de Avance is to present the candidates on their best ways and own manifestations to the public, yet to clarify certain issues of the Central Office by the CSG President was an act that is considered to be inappropriate for the said event. The said clarification should be presented on the right people and offices concern not at the Meeting de Avance. We saw a need to respect and follow certain rules and guidelines on the purpose of conducting the said event. We recognize that the unfortunate event could have been avoided given that Electoral Commission acted timely. We urgently call on the Electoral Commission to review the event and strongly reinforce certain provisions to ensure a more dignified Meeting de Avance henceforth.

In the light of the event’s ambiguous statements regarding the Talipapa: Student Bazaar that led to upset some groups, we would like to clarify to the public and give due recognition to a unit that the CSG has partnered with, the KKP Student Volunteers Center. We recognize the beginning of the project as the intersection of the visions of both units, of CSG’s desire to engage the XU students to Gawad Kalinga through Tukod Balay and of KKP-SVC’s thrust to advance student social entrepreneurship. The project has now evolved into what it is now, with efforts from both the CSG and KKP. Evidently, the Talipapa has gained wide acceptance and positive regard from XU community and was even mentioned several times in candidates’ speeches. We ergo saw a need to reinforce and clarify the partnership of the two units and give due recognition to the KKP volunteers which they only deserve.

We would like to clarify that the seven councils under the umbrella of the CSG is autonomous to an extent as stipulated in the Constitution. We respect the function of the Student’s Activities and Leadership Development (SACDEV) and Office of Student’s Affairs (OSA) as primary offices for the proper facilitation of students’ activities and concerns. We highly recognize the functions and importance of these offices. They serve as the concrete link and honest mediators to the administration

We stand firm on these grounds as the autonomous and the highest policy making body of the Central Student Government.

Goldamier B. Cantero Jessel Ann Grace Rosabal

President, ASC President, CITSC

Sheena Grace E. Cubillas Don Johnson B. Torayno

President, CONUS President, UNITASS

Sheila Mae V. Tee Romecito A. Madronio

President, ACES President, TG

Liza Dango April Marcelo B. Yap

Convener, AECO Chairperson, XU-URO

Ernesto B. Neri

Convener, 15^th Directorate

Reso 11

THE 15th DIRECTORATE
CENTRAL STUDENT GOVERNMENT
ACES*CITSC*CONUS*SBMSC*TG*UNITASS*AECO*XU-URO

Resolution No. 011 – 0809
A RESOLUTION ALLOWING THE ELECTION COMMISSION TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A COMPUTERIZED ELECTION PROCESS FOR 2009

WHEREAS, the ELECOM has revealed her earnest intention to develop and organize a computerized elections for 2009 inline with the provisions of the revised Omnibus election code;

WHEREAS, the ELECOM, in her personal initiative, has been exploring the potential use of computer program for elections;

WHEREAS, the ELECOM satisfactorily presented substantial plans (registration/ enabling process, voting process) for the implementation of the computerized elections;

WHEREAS, the ELECOM has ensured credibility of the voting, tabulation and counting processes for the election;

WHEREAS, the ELECOM has presented alternative plans in case failure of computerization occurs;

WHEREAS, the ELECOM has presented the computerized election program to the directorate and found to be reliable;

WHEREAS, the ELECOM has conducted successful tests of the program in preparation for the election;

WHEREAS, the Directorate sees the need to develop efficiency of the electoral process through computerized elections;

WHEREAS, the Directorate rests its confidence on the condition that the Election Commission shall use its full authority to maximize the range and numbers of computers utilized for better accommodation and prevention of congestion during election days;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the implementation of the computerized elections for 2009 is dully approved meeting the stated condition.

Done this 30th day of January, in the year of our Lord, two thousand and nine, by the 15th Directorate now assembled.

aeco development

Resolution No. 10-0809

A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE REGISTRAR’S OFFICE TO ALLOCATE STC 301 AS THE NEW ASSEMBLY OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ORGANIZATIONS (AECO) HEAD QUARTERS FOR BETTER EFFICIENCY AND ORGANIZATION

WHEREAS, the Central Student Government, through its Department of Organizational Affairs Internal is mandated to enhance and develop the extra-curricular activities of the student;

WHEREAS, the Central Student Government acknowledges that the extra-curricular organization is an integral component of the mission of formation of students in Xavier University through the diverse non – academic activities it initiates that supplements the co-curricular activities;

WHEREAS, the membership of AECO has substantially increased resulting to organizational expansion, clustering and wider and multiple activities;

WHEREAS, the allocated rooms beside CSG office cannot suffice the needed space to accommodate the expansion resulting to reduced utilization, poor office organization and conflict in space;

WHEREAS, the Central Student Government through the exploratory committee on AECO Development identified Stc 301 as a strategic location that could suffice the needed space and accommodate the AECO’s organizational expansion;

WHEREAS, the Central Student Government believes that through a centralized and organized physical design of the AECO could lead into a more cohesive organization that is responsive and efficient in delivering its activities and services to the student body;

THEREFOR BE IT RESOLVED, that the Extra-curricular organizations shall be given
equal importance manifested by a centralized office in Stc 301 due its vital role in the formation of the student body and its unquestionable importance in Atenean way of life;

to our muslim brothers and sisters

THE 15TH DIRECTORATE
CENTRAL STUDENT GOVERNMENT
ACES*ASC*CITSC*CONUS*SBMSC*TG*UNITASS*AECO*XU-URO

Resolution No. 007 – 0809

A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING OUR MUSLIM BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO BE GIVEN PRIORITY DURING THE ENROLMENT PROCESS WHEN IT FALLS DURING THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN
Whereas, the CSG promotes and preserves the inter-religious dimensions of the campus community taking into serious consideration the different traditions and practices that shape their student life;
Whereas, the Siraj, the Muslim Student Community organization requested the CSG through the Directorate to support them in the early enrolment for Muslim students;
Whereas, Our Muslim brothers and sisters practice fasting as an act of faith during those times making them vulnerable to physical stress during the enrolment process;
Whereas, Our Muslim brothers and sisters are required by tradition to spend time with their families in mediation and prayer during this Holy Month;
Whereas, the Central Student Government should take necessary consideration on the conditions of Muslim students in the Holy Month of Ramadan and the enrolment process that falls within it;
Therefore be it Resolved, that the Central Student Government supports the prioritization of Muslim Students during enrolment to augment their spiritual and physical conditions during Ramadan;
Be it resolved further, that the enrolment scheme to be implemented by the Department of Student Services and Infrastructure should take special consideration on the Muslim Students.
Be it resolved further, that the Department of Student Services and Infrastructure should create necessary guidelines, checks and procedures to ensure the efficient and effective enrolment of Muslim students.
Done this 2nd day of October in the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight, by the 15th Directorate now assembled.

letter to council presidents

To Council Presidents

I am pleased to inform you that the Central Student Government in cooperation with the Office of Culture and Arts will initiate the Cinegmagis: Digital Short-film Festival, the second campus digital film making competition in Mindanao. This program is designed to ignite a sense of artistic appreciation and creativity in digital film making among the students and the Xavier University community channelled through their respective college student councils. Further more, this competition which is still in the process of detailed consolidation will commence on the month of November to December and judging will be on the month of January in preparation for the Arts and Culture Month in February. Whoever will win the top three posts will represent the school in the National Commission for Culture and Arts Film Fest in the same month.

In line with this we are inviting you, the council president and at least 7 key officers for an orientation regarding this matter on August 19, 6-8 pm at the Little Theater. Your delegation’s presence is highly appreciated.

Let us be in solidarity in initiating a new movement where our innovative creativity and our grounded grasp of our Xavier experience meets the magical art of digital film making.

Ernesto B. Neri

July 14, 2008

Ms. Lennie K. Ong

Treasurer

Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan

Dear Ms. Ong:

PEACE!

Last July 11, 2008 during the 14^th Legislative Session of the 15^th Directorate, officers of the XU Muslim student organization – SIRAJ (represented by XU-URO) raised a concern regarding their practice of Ramadan (starts on September 1) which falls during the semi-final exams this semester. Their religious tradition entails them to fast for the month and commune intimately with God in prayer and contemplation.

In this light, SIRAJ is humbly requesting your good office to give all Muslim students a special consideration. This consideration as suggested by SIRAJ is the prioritization of Muslim students in the event of their payment in a special window in the finance office. They are also considering if it is possible to prioritize them in all windows in the Finance office. This simple consideration will greatly help our Muslim brothers and sisters in their period of deep spiritual exercise by reducing physical burden educed by long lines and other long transactions.

The SIRAJ is very open for negotiations regarding the improvement of this suggested system which can be coursed through the CSG. Certification is also given by SIRAJ to ensure control and identification of Muslim students. We, the Directorate and SIRAJ are also looking forward to discuss this concern with you having the aim of institutionalizing this special consideration in the event that Ramadan falls during the enrollment process henceforth.

Hoping for your positive response!

In service I remain,

Ernesto B. Neri

Vice-President

Noted by,

Arbie S. Llesis

President

Enactment No. 03-0809

AN ENACTMENT REVOKING ENACMENT 01-0607 AND 01-0708 AND INCLUDING THE XU-URO CHAIRMAN AS A PERMANENT VOTING MEMBER OF THE DIRECTORATE

Whereas, the Xavier University – United Religious Organization is a major group of student organizations who espouse deep and profound spirituality and devotion to their faiths;

Whereas, the XU-URO serves as an integral component of the formation of the Student Body in general and also serves the mission of the University to form men and women for others with deep compassion and faith that does justice;

Whereas, the XU-URO has grown into a significant component of student involvement making them vital components in the policy-making body of the Student Government;

Whereas, there is a need to condense previous enactments of the XU-URO Directorate membership and its voting rights to a single enactment to prevent confusion;

Be it Resolved, that we revoke enactment 01-0607 and enactment 01-0708 to pave the passing of a single condensed enactment;

Be it Resolved Further, that The XU-URO Chairman shall be a permanent voting member of the Directorate.

Be it Resolved Further, that copies of this resolution should be given to each member organization of the XU-URO.

Done on this 23rd day of June, in the year of our Lords, Two Thousand and Eight, by the 15^th Directorate now assembled.

memo 1

0809-1

June 9, 2008

TO: COUNCIL PRESIDENTS

RE: POWER SUMMIT 2008

The Energy sector is making headlines for the past weeks due to the irregular movement of power costs all through out the country. This raises great concerns for the future due to its vital role in nation building.

As stakeholders of the future, the youth sector through its student representatives should be aware and make a stand on the present power situation. In response, the XU-Governance and Leadership Institute with its partner institutions are planning to undertake a series of forums and workshop regarding the power situation of the nation. The series of events will culminate in the Power Summit to be held on August 27, 2008 at the Atrium, Limketkai Center Cagayan de Oro City where no less than the President of the Republic as guest. The Central Student Government hopes to take an active role in shaping these events. This could never bear great fruits without the support and cooperation of the councils and its members.

In this light, we are inviting you for an orientation meeting with the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms and the Electricity Consumers for Reforms on June 11, 2008 5pm at room Stc 301.

We are looking forward to synergize with you for us to secure a brighter and promising future.

AMDG!

Ernesto B. Neri

Convener,15^th Directorate