With the recent announcements on the university academic calendar shift, the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) aims for a transition in this “new normal” setup through the introduction of the new Ateneo F2F+ program implementation.

The Hybrid Implementation Strategy of Flexible (HISFlex) blended learning was introduced in the academic year (A.Y.) 2022-2023, as an alternative school setting to provide both online and face-to-face modalities, as well as  ‘future-proof education’ for all students.

In a Facebook post on the university’s official page, the new “F2F+” was highlighted as “in person education enhanced by technology”, with the aim of still combining the power of hybrid learning for more dynamic, flexible, and accessible learning experience for students, similar with the HISFlex modality.

The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) Director Ma’am Theresa Salaver-Eliab and Assistant Director Atty. Ira Calatrava-Valenzuela told Atenews that it is expected that the learning modality will still be blended in the next A.Y., but a big percentage of classes will now be taken onsite. 

“It will really not be full normal, parang nag move na rin kasi si Ateneo eh, na yun na ang trajectory niya na meron talaga siyang blended na online as we try to promote internationalization, so we need to have that kind of mechanism,” Eliab said.

Relevant changes and additions are also expected in the upcoming semester in terms of student affairs, such as the use of uniforms, opening of student offices, revamping of more onsite student activities, and the planning of the proposed Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system.

Atenews also reached out to the Office of the Academic Vice-President (OAVP) for more insights about the F2F+ implementation, but no response was received yet.

On student activities

“We are trying to normalize school activities for now, umabot na tayo sa point na halos normal na ang school activities. Meron pa ring restrictions na ini-impose in accordance to the university and CHED guidelines,” Atty. Valenzuela said.

The OSA also aims to provide more programs and platforms for students from different sectors, highlighting the culture and arts, gender, student discipline cluster, as well as the reformatted Sui Generis Leadership Summit and other services provided by the OSA.

Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Ateneo de Davao (SAMAHAN) President-elect, Chyna Legaspina shared with Atenews the perspective of the student council with regards to the upcoming transitions in the university.

“For the upcoming A.Y., since the university is more leaning for face-to-face classes, more face-to-face activities are expected to come.” 

Legaspina also stressed that due to the calendar shift, major events, such as the Ateneo Fiesta and Intramurals, are expected to be moved to a later date.

On student concerns, affairs, and regulations

According to OSA, the use of uniforms was relaxed this A.Y., considering that most classes are still taken online, but highlighted that the usual policy of wearing uniform and civilian clothes will be brought back this A.Y. 2023-2024.

The OSA Administrators also shared the ongoing year-long planning of the proposed RFID, in the attempt to increase safety and security in the university, automate ID validation and payment of school services and consumables.

“Nasa pipeline pa siya, kasi kailangan pa namin ang consultation with the students. The survey questionnaires are expected to be released soon,” Eliab added.

The SAMAHAN President-elect also addressed that student concerns will be taken with the help of the council’s Research and Development department.

“Surveys really work in giving SAMAHAN insights on how students are doing with their stay in the university, and once we gather all of  the concerns and all of their are consolidated, we will be having a dialogue with our administrators, with representations from other offices in the university,” Legaspina shared.

Legaspina also highlighted that the SAMAHAN plans to provide a followthrough with the future regulations to be released, ensuring that these will be followed properly.

In addition, a recent memorandum was released on the Tuition and Other School Fee Increase (TOSFI) for the upcoming academic year – a seven percent (7%) increase in tuition and six percent (6%) increase in miscellaneous fees. The fee increase aims to keep up with the country’s increasing inflation rate, allocating tuition increase to the salaries and benefits of the university personnel.

Classes for the A.Y. 2023-2024 will begin in August 2023 instead of July.

This article was published in the April 2023 Issue of Atenews. Read it here: https://issuu.com/atenews/docs/atenews_2023_tabloid