SOAD conducts Org Orientation, SOAdvisers Forum

5 September 2016 | CHHagosojos |

Atty. Aladdin P. Dominguita discusses the Anti-Hazing Law during the Organization Orientation.

A total of 188 student organization leaders attended the Organization Orientation (OO), formerly known as Leadership Training Seminar (LTS), conducted by the Student Organizations and Activities Division (SOAD) on 5 September 2016 at the Makiling Hall, 2/F SU Building.

The orientation aims to inform the participants about the programs and policies governing student organizations.

"I believe that one of the greatest experiences of the students in any university is to be a member of an organization," Dr. Nina M. Cadiz, OSA Director, said. According to her, being part of a student organization exposes the members to responsibilities, challenges, and the joy of belonging to a group.

Jickerson P. Lado, SOAD head, presented the role of SOAD which is to formulate and implement the policies for student organizations and monitor activities of student organizations, among others.

In the inspirational message delivered by Dr. Portia G. Lapitan, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, she reminded the participants that the organizations have a big role in developing the personality of its members. Moreover, she mentioned how attendance to the orientation will help them make informed decisions in their organizations. She also reminded the organization leaders to always do their best because they have a nation to serve.

Alvin Constantino, Director of the Confederate Sentinels Group, Inc. (CSG), encouraged the organizations to conduct community service. The CSG is a non-government organization which conducts community service around the country.

Constantino reminded the organization leaders that there is no person too small to help the community. "Pag may pagkakaisa, may iisang layunin, malaki ang matatapos ninyo at marami kayong magagawa (If there is unity, if there is one goal, you will be able to fulfill great things and you will be able to do a lot)," he said.

The following topics were also discussed during the orientation: Rules on Intellectual Property Rights by Jazaika Marie Bienvenido from the UPLB Center for Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship (CTTE); Anti-Hazing Law by Atty. Aladdin P. Dominguita, UPLB Special Prosecutor; Anti-Sexual Harassment Law by Genesis Giselle T. Baseleres from the Office of Anti-Sexual Harrassment, and; Community Service and Student Volunteerism by Mr. Maki Salas from the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod.

Before the end of the orientation, Lado presented the new programs SOAD will be launching. These include the STRING (Strengthening Inter-Organization Networks and Groups) program and the OSA-SOAdvanced Leadership Summit, among others.


SOAdvisers Forum

SOAD conducted a separate forum for student organizationJickerson P. Lado, SOAD head, talks about the responsibilities of advisers to the student org members. advisers. The forum aims to inform the advisers about the policies for student organizations and to allow them to raise their concerns to SOAD.

The SOAdvisers forum was conducted on 19 September 2016 at the Makiling Hall, 2/F SU Building.

During the forum, Lado discussed the responsibilities of the advisers which include guidance and mentorship of the organization members. According to him, the advisers must help instill positive values to the members of the organization.

Atty. Eleno O. Peralta then discussed the Anti-Hazing Law. This is in recognition of the role of advisers in preventing violent hazing.

Student organization advisers raised their questions and suggestions to SOAD. Among the suggestions was for the advisers to receive copies of the announcements sent to the organization point persons through email or text message.

"I think it's a very good start lalo na ngayong semester for our new set of officers (I think it's a very good start, especially this semester, for our new set of [organization] officers)," said Keshia Tingson, junior adviser of the UP Sigma Beta Sorority. According to her, the event became an avenue for advisers to voice out their concerns and suggestions for the improvement of the system. "I hope na mas maraming ganitong activities in the future (I hope that there will be more activities like this in the future)", she said.

Forty student organization advisers attended the said forum.