Addendum 2

Rationale

In March 2021, The COVID-19 global health crisis reached the Philippines, and has since changed the country’s landscape of education. Generally, face-to-face (F2F) classes were suspended, and virtual instruction and learning have been widely adopted. Schools have been challenged to become flexible in how they operate, so that they may comply with the minimum health standards. While Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has approved the gradual reopening of classes for some programs, after a year of pandemic, fully returning to the old normal may no longer be possible.

The implementation of student activities, and operations of student organizations, too, have been affected by the pandemic. Monitoring of student behavior and safety, and implementing disciplinary procedures measures in remote or online settings have also been difficult for many schools.

Determined to move forward in the new normal, the Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) rose to the occasion by putting in place flexible delivery of instruction. True to its mission and identity, ADNU’s student affairs and services (SAS) units have creatively carried out formation programs in virtual platforms, while student organizations have remained operational for students to continue experiencing holistic education. The continuation of SAS was further reinforced by CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 8, Series of 2021.

When the pandemic situation relatively improved in the second semester of School Year 2021-2022, ADNU started implementing limited F2F classes or hybrid instructional model for selected subjects of the College of Nursing upon compliance with the requirements of Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2021-001 of CHED and the Department of Health (DOH), and securing of the Certificate of Compliance from CHED.

The ADNU extended the F2F classes to several other programs after satisfying the preconditions set by JMC No. 2021-004, which provided guidelines for higher education institutions (HEI) in areas under the new Alert Levels System. In this JMC, HEIs within Alert Levels 1, 2, and 3 are allowed to reopen all programs. The university, however, cautiously decided that its programs will only reopen in Alert Levels 1 and 2, and with 50 percent classroom capacity only. Curricular activities, especially those that support the competency-building for those with F2F classes, shall already be allowed.

Further, JMC No. 5 Series of 2021 and the latest CHED Memorandum Order No. 2 Series of 2022 provided the guidelines and requirements for the resumption of sport training of student athletes, and the resumption of collegiate athletics competitions, respectively. For its men’s basketball team’s training, ADNU’s College Athletics Office already secured clearance from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Naga City, and submitted the requirements to CHED.

All other student activities are currently permitted by the updated CMO No. 1, Series of 2022 for HEIs under Alert Level 1. The LGU of Naga City reinforces this CMO in its Executive Order No. 2022-009, which lifted venue/seating capacity restrictions in establishments and transportation, and eased restrictions on open-air setting activities.

Given all the said issuances and developments due to the improvement in the country and city’s pandemic situation, the university is taking a more cautious and gradual approach in reopening its campus to F2F classes and student activities. After all, pandemic is not over yet; in fact, the World Health Organization reported that number of detected COVID-19 cases increased globally by 8 percent. Further, the Philippines needs to get 70% of its total population vaccinated to achieve herd protection. Hence, the people still need to continue masking, physical distancing, enforcing proper ventilation, and hand hygiene.

The ADNU, on one hand, understands the benefits of student activities, and the need for some of these activities to be held face-to-face. On the other hand, it seriously exercises due diligence by subscribing to the local authorities, being aware of the COVID-19 situation in the city and region, and enforcing the minimum health standards, including those which have been eased by IATF and LGU.

The proposed revisions in the interim implementing guidelines for F2F student activities and disciplinary procedures strike a balance between allowing student activities and exercising due diligence. In doing so, the university’s transition into the expanded F2F classes, or adjustments in the interim guidelines – depending on the situation - are based on current realities, inspired by the university’s resolve to keep moving forward during and post-pandemic, and tempered by a great responsibility to keep the community members safe.

The proposed gradual implementation of the guidelines for shall allow the university, thru the implementers, to carefully observe, and especially review the effectiveness of the precautions, protocols, and facilities in ensuring the health safety of the university community. Further, in the first phase, the priority is the implementation of limited F2F activities that are organized by relevant units in the university to provide student-led activities concrete experiences and models in the delivery of F2F activities.

Objectives:

1. Provide interim rules and regulations for limited face-to-face student activities and disciplinary procedures, based on existing related guidelines of the IATF, CHED, DOH, and LGU.

2. Establish precautionary measures against COVID-19 infection and spread during the implementation of limited face-to-face classes, activities, and discipline procedures.

3. Implement gradually the guidelines for limited face-to-face student activities and disciplinary procedures.

TEMPORARY REVISIONS AND SUPPLEMENTAL GUIDELINES IMPLEMENTING THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND CODE OF DISCIPLINE DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR 2021-2022

A. COVID-19 Health Safety Standards and Protocols on Campus

1. All students entering the campus are required to undergo the screening procedures at the school’s entrance gate, such as but not limited to the following:

1. Presentation of COVID-19 Vaccination Card

2. Thermal scanning

3. hand washing and sanitizing

4. E-Salvar scanning

5. filling out of Online/Onsite Health Screening Form

6. other procedures as may be required or added by the university

These screening procedures are subject to change, depending on prevailing health standards.

2. Only fully vaccinated students are allowed to enter the campus, transact business onsite, and participate in authorized student activities.

3. Those with a temperature of 37.5 C or above shall not be allowed to enter the campus. Or, they will be kept for some time at the triage area, and temperature will be re-checked. If the temperature reading is still 37.5 C and above, the concerned student’s parents/guardian shall be notified, and the student will be sent home for observation. If fever persists with other COVID-19-associated symptoms, consultation with a doctor is advised.

4. Those with visibly observed flu-like symptoms like cough and colds shall likewise be denied entry and/or advised to go home. The concerned student’s parents/guardian shall be immediately notified. If symptoms persist, consultation with a doctor is advised.

5. Whenever applicable, those residing in localities placed under Alert Level 4 or higher, or any forms of lockdown shall not be allowed to enter the campus.

6. All students are required to wear a facemask, and observe at least two-meter social distancing while on campus.

7. The directional signs for traffic flow and social distancing shall be strictly followed.

8. The safety protocols being implemented by offices and other school facilities (e.g. queueing systems, seating arrangement, etc.) shall be strictly followed by students.

B. General Student Activities

1. Official student activities, whether online or in-person/face-to-face, whether on-campus or off-campus, and whether academic or non-academic in nature, require prior approval from proper authorities.

2. The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) shall administer an online system of application for student activities.

3. In general, online activities and other safe alternatives to face-to-face or physical activities shall still be the preferred or default mode of delivering activities. Limited face-to-face classes and student activities shall be allowed, provided that Naga City is under Alert Level 1 or 2 only, and the other conditions in Letter C and Letter D are complied with.

4. On-campus transactions such as but not limited to the following shall be permitted, subject to the minimum health standards of the university, and the existing guidelines of COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and other relevant government units, such as Local Government (LGU) of Naga City and Commission on Higher Education (CHED). These transactions need not undergo the procedures and requirements of application for student activities, but have to observe the rules and regulations of the specific offices or facilities.

1. availing of onsite student services, e.g. request for/ claiming of certification, enrollment, payment of fees, etc.

2. visiting the library

3. use of Xavier Hall spaces for WiFi Hotspot, provided that the guidelines are observed

4. quick submission of subject requirements

5. participating in the Mass as choir members and altar/mass servers

5. Authorized student services which require the removal of mask, such as ID card processing and pictorial for yearbook, shall observe the following:

1. The venue is well-ventilated, or has open door and windows.

2. Physical distancing is observed.

3. The staff taking or assisting in the photoshoot is/are wearing masks.

4. The removal of the mask for picture taking shall be brief.

5. Talking shall be minimized, if not entirely avoided.

6. The photoshoot staff and the students availing of the service are all fully vaccinated.

7. The venue shall be regularly disinfected.

6. Online and face-to-face student activities shall not interfere with the participating students’ schedule of online classes, and shall not be scheduled during the four major examinations, two days before Midterms, and three days before Finals.

7. All other policies and guidelines in the Code of Conduct that are consistent with these guidelines shall continue to be effective and implementable.

8. Violation of the temporary revisions and supplemental guidelines implementing the Code of Conduct is considered as an Offense against Safety and Security (Letter C, No. 1, Letter k of the Code of Discipline). Any student who violated any of these guidelines shall be reported to OSA and concerned office/department, for proper disposition and possible disciplinary procedure, as provided for in the Code of Discipline. Education sessions shall be an important formative intervention to erring students.

9. The OSA, in cooperation with other relevant units, shall conduct an orientation to all student organizations and concerned units before these interim guidelines take effect. Student organizations which did not attend the orientation meeting shall not be allowed to conduct face-to-face activities.

C. Participation in Limited Face-to-Face Classes and Student Activities

Face-to-Face Classes and Curricular/Academic-Related Activities

1. Only those classes and related course offerings which are fully-compliant with the requirements of the university and CHED are allowed to be conducted face-to-face.

2. Further, the following curricular and co-curricular student activities shall be allowed, subject to the endorsement of the concerned department chairperson and college dean, and the procedures and requirements of student activity application for approval:

1. conduct of individual or small-group training sessions to enhance the competencies of students attending approved limited face-to-face classes, provided that:

i. The activity is held in a properly retrofitted and well-ventilated facility.

ii. The room capacity is observed.

iii. There is a faculty/staff-moderator present although out and the activity and overseeing the students’ safety and observance of health protocols.

2. use of laboratories or facilities in aid of class or academic requirement, provided that:

i. The laboratory is properly retrofitted and well-ventilated.

ii. There is a supervising laboratory custodian.

iii. There is a reservation system.

iv. The room capacity is observed.

v. The equipment and workstation used is properly disinfected before and after use.

vi. Only those students who are fully vaccinated are allowed to use the laboratory or facility.

3. Only the students who are enrolled in approved limited face-to-face classes, and have complied with the university’s requirements are allowed to attend the onsite classes and related course offerings (on-the-job-training, research, etc.).

4. Students attending face-to-face classes are required to observe the university’s health standards and protocols as listed in Letter A.1 of this policy. Likewise, students attending to off-campus class activities, such as Related Learning Experience (RLE) or hospital or community duties, ought to comply with the affiliating agencies’ protocols and requirements.

5. The approved face-to-face classes and related activities shall be allowed only if Naga City is classified under Alert 1 or 2. The said classes, including internship/practicum/Related Learning Experience, shall be suspended and conducted in virtual/flexible mode when Naga City is classified as Alert Level 3 or higher or due to other reasons as officially declared by the university.

6. The following are the essential requirements for attending the face-to-face classes:

1. Full COVID-19 vaccination

2. Signed waiver/informed consent

3. Attendance in all orientation sessions organized by the university and the college/ department.

7. In general, course-related off-campus student activities require the attendance of the assigned teacher or moderator or official representative. However, there are academic/curricular activities that do not require the presence of a teacher or moderator, such as but not limited to research or field study. In such cases, the parents/guardian’s permit should explicitly state that no teacher/moderator shall accompany their child/ward.

School-Sponsored Formation, Athletic, and Outreach Activities, and Student-Led Extra-Curricular Activities

7. The following limited student activities shall be allowed:

   1. Training and participation in tournaments/competitions of the athletes, provided that a Certificate of Compliance is secured from CHED, upon submission of the following requirements:

1. List of Student Athletes, Coaches, and Staff who will participate in face-to-face training activities

2. Schedule of Training Activities, including inter-school athletic programs or competitions

3. List of training venues, venue capacity vis-à-vis alert levels, and documentation of retrofitting, if applicable (Note: Indicate whether they are on or off-campus, and indoor or outdoor.)

4. Proof of full vaccination

5. Medical Certificate indicating that the student-athlete is fit to undergo training and that he/she has no COVID-19-related symptoms and no relevant travel history in the last 14 days prior to the exposure

6. Waiver/Informed Consent

7. Permit from the Local Government Unit of Naga City

8. Health guidelines and protocols, including those related to accommodation (student housing, food, etc.), transportation, health status monitoring, and interactions between students and coaches and staff, sharing of equipment and facilities, among others

9. Contingency Plan

The student athletes’ training and participation in athletic competitions shall only be allowed under Alert Levels 1 and 2 (or lower).

Further, student organization-sponsored non-contact sports activities are allowed under Alert Levels 1 and 2 (or lower). Contact sports activities, however, are only allowed under Alert Level 1 (or lower).

The conduct of face-to-face college-wide Intramural is subject to the planning of the Physical Education Department and the Colleges, approval of the Vice President for Higher Education and University President, and if necessary, the clearance of the Naga City LGU. It may only be allowed under Alert Level 1 (or lower).

Schedule of Gradual Implementation

Activities and Groups

Start of Effectivity

College Athletics Office-Supervised Activities of Student Athletes

Second Semester, SY 2021-2022

Department and Student Organization-Sponsored Sports Activities

Intersession, SY 2022-2023

College-wide Intramural

First Semester, SY 2022-2023

2. Formation and skills training activities, provided that:

1. The participating student is fully vaccinated. Likewise, resource speakers and limited guests should be fully vaccinated.

2. The participating student secures a Parent’s Permit/Consent for the activity.

3. There is an attending staff/faculty moderator who is fully vaccinated.

4. Venue capacity is observed, depending on the current alert level and existing guidelines.

5. If the activity is off-campus, the locality where the venue should be under Alert Level 1 (or lower). Further, travel plan and arrangements must be compliant with existing guidelines, e.g. car capacity, ventilation, etc.

6. Proper endorsements are secured, especially if the activity is proposed by a student organization.

7. The activity is not overnight.

8. All the other university and local government’s requirements, rules and regulations and health protocols are observed.

Schedule of Gradual Implementation

F2F Activities and Groups

Start of Effectivity

ADNU-organized formation and skills training activities

Intersession, SY 2022-2023

Student Organization-led formation and skills training activities

First Semester, SY 2022-2023

3. Outreach activities, provided that:

1. The locality where the activity shall be held is under Alert Level 1 or 2 (or lower).

2. Venue capacity is observed, depending on the current alert level and existing guidelines.

3. The participating student is fully vaccinated.

4. The participating student secures a Parent’s Permit/Consent.

5. Travel arrangements are compliant with existing guidelines, e.g. car capacity, ventilation.

6. There is an attending staff/faculty moderator who is fully vaccinated.

7. The activity is not overnight.

8. All the other university and local government’s requirements, rules and regulations and health protocols are observed.

Under Alert Level 2, student organization-led outreach activities are limited to brief coordination with the barangay and turnover of donation. Long hours of community/field exposure activities shall be suspended.

Schedule of Gradual Implementation

F2F Activities and Groups

Start of Effectivity

ADNU-organized outreach activities

Second semester, SY 2021-2022

Student Organization-led outreach activities

Intersession, SY 2022-2023

4. School representation in prestigious local, regional, national, and international competitions, provided that:

1. The participating student is fully vaccinated. Likewise, the attending moderator is fully vaccinated.

2. The student secures a Parent’s Consent/Waiver.

3. The locality where the event shall be held is under Alert Level 1 or 2 (or lower).

4. Travel plan and arrangements are compliant with existing guidelines, e.g. car capacity, ventilation, etc.

5. All the other university, local government, and organizer’s requirements, rules and regulations and health protocols are observed.

Schedule of Implementation

F2F Activities and Groups

Start of Effectivity

Individual City, Regional, and National Events

Second semester, SY 2021-2022

Individual/Group City, Regional, National, and International Events

First semester, SY 2022-2023

8. Face-to-face student activities are only allowed if Naga City is under Alert Levels 1 and/or 2 (or lower), depending on the nature of activities. Once the city upgrades to Alert Level 3 or up, only online student activities shall be allowed; the previously approved face-to-face activities shall be rescheduled or cancelled.

9. Student activities with longer duration (e.g. week-long event/ series/ multi-phase program, etc.) may adopt hybrid implementation or a combination of online and face-to-face activities.

10. Operational activities, although not prohibited, may be done virtually.

11. Student organization-sponsored income-generating projects (IGP) may be allowed, provided that the involved students and non-student staff are fully vaccinated. Food products should be well-packed and not exposed to the elements, and food contact surfaces should be regularly sanitized. Other food safety practices and requirements, as prescribed by the Office of Administrative Services, shall be observed.

12. Attendance in extra-curricular or non-academic face-to-face activities is optional. Organizers may not require students to attend face-to-face activities, especially those students who are not enrolled in onsite classes, and who residing outside Naga City or Camarines Sur.

13. The university reserves its authority to disapprove or recommend revisions for any application or request for face-to-face student activities, or suspend or cancel previously approved activities due to but not limited to the following reasons and factors:

    1. Number of students with face-to-face classes and student activities during the proposed schedule

    2. Lack of available venue on campus, or unsuitable or not retrofitted venue

    3. Conflict with online and onsite classes

    4. Sudden remarkable increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the city/locality

    5. Observed major violations of health protocols in an ongoing activity

    6. Instances of misrepresentation, e.g. false information in the application document/s, forgery of signature of consenting parent or endorsing moderator, etc.

    7. Absence of attending faculty or staff moderator

    8. Conflict with institutional events

    9. Weather disturbances

Prohibited Face-to-Face Student Activities and Exemptions

14. The following activities are still prohibited until further notice:

    1. Generally, mass gatherings or activities with large crowd or audience are still prohibited until further notice. These gatherings include but are not limited to university and college-wide assemblies, festivals, concerts, conventions, movie screenings, fairs, open houses, community meriendas, parades, processions and the like with large audience/crowd. However, school-sponsored events may be allowed upon compliance with local government’s requirements and obtaining the necessary clearance, and strict observance of health safety precautions. Further, sports and culture and the arts-related activities with limited or small number of crowd or audience may be allowed.

    2. Generally, student organization-organized overnight activities are still suspended until further notice. However, limited overnight activities organized by units/offices in the university may be allowed beginning the first semester of SY 2022-2023, provided that it involves a small number of students and contingency plan is in place.

    3. The conduct of educational tours and field trips are still suspended until further notice. However, academic program-related small-group company visit/tour may be allowed.

15. The student activities of volunteer and culture and arts groups may resume, subject to the discretion of the supervising units and necessary approval process and compliance with relevant policies and requirements.

16. Students with the following circumstances are temporarily not allowed to enter the campus and attend their face-to-face classes and student activities:

1. Incidence of students with Influenza like-illness and clustering of influenza like-illness to two or more classmates.

2. Student is a suspect/probable case of COVID-19.

3. A student has direct contact or living with Locally Stranded Individual/s (LSI) or returning Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), if applicable

4. A student/s is identified as CLOSE CONTACT of a COVID-19 positive patient.

5. A student was identified to have EXPOSURE to a CLOSE CONTACT of a COVID-19 positive

patient. (Secondary Exposure)

6. A student who is tested POSITIVE for COVID-19

7. A student under other circumstances which the university, through the AHEHSO, may deem as a ground for denial of entry and attendance in face-to-face classes.

These students must inform their respective teachers/chairperson/dean and/or the AHEHSO via mail, call, or text, for proper disposition. Depending on the circumstances, the concerned students ought to comply with the local IATF/government’s protocols and requirements (e.g. community/ home quarantine, contact tracing procedures, etc.), and/or risk assessment and/or instructions of the university through the AHEHSO. They may only return to the campus and their face-to-face classes once they have complied with the said protocols and requirements, and secured clearance or “Return to Class Permit and or Medical Certification” from the AHEHSO or issued by the (LGU-BHERT, City Health Officer –CHO, or Municipal Health Officer-MHO)

The Risk Assessment of the AHEHSO shall be based on the following criteria: 1) distance/spatial exposure and interaction with the close contact, 2) time exposure, and 3) health status of the close contact.

(Note: There is a SEPARATE SET OF PROTOCOLS, RISK ASSESSMENT CRITERIA, AND RISK ASSESSMENT FORM)

7. In addition to the healthy safety standards listed in Letter A, students in approved limited face-to-face classes are required to strictly observe the following guidelines/protocols:

1. Enter the campus not earlier than thirty (30) minutes before their class schedule.

2. Leave the campus premises not later than thirty (30) minutes after their last class on campus.

3. Stay at the designated Waiting Area (Xavier Hall) before the start of their class schedule. Do not loiter on campus. Do not congregate with classmates/teachers/other students.

8. Lunch or snack shall be taken at the designated areas, e.g. cafeteria, observing the minimum health standards.

• Bringing one’s own food or baon is highly encouraged.

• Talking while eating, and sharing of food are highly discouraged.

• Sharing of table/desk, and congregating with other students at the dining area are prohibited.

• Hand-washing and sanitizing before and after eating should be observed.

9. As part of the university’s monitoring system, all students attending face-to-face classes are required to regularly accomplish the online or onsite monitoring (COVID-19 Health Screening Tool) of the AHEHSO through iCare system.

10. Students who are coming from outside Camarines Sur or Bicol Region may consider the list of accredited housing facilities of the university. If interested, they may contact the Office of Student Affairs (OSA), via e-mail (osa@gbox.adnu.edu.ph or osastudentservices@gbox.adnu.edu.ph) or call (054 811-2368 local 2060) before coming to Naga City for quarantine and accommodation. (Disclaimer: The accredited housing facilities are not owned and controlled by the university.)

11. Students who are attending face-to-face classes and relate course offerings are highly encouraged to subscribe to a health insurance policy, which covers COVID-19-related hospitalization or treatment expenses.

D. Student Organizations

1. The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) shall administer an Online Recognition/Accreditation of Student Organizations (RASO).

2. All recognized student organizations shall faithfully follow the temporary revisions and supplemental guidelines on the conduct of Student Activities. They are also required to attend an orientation meeting by OSA for the said guidelines.

3. Online activities (e.g. video-conferencing, group chat, webinar, online IGP, etc.) and other safe alternatives to face-to-face or physical activities shall still be preferred or default mode of delivering their activities. Limited face-to-face activities shall be allowed, provided that the conditions in letter B and C are complied with.

4. Student organizations shall consider their members’ schedule of classes and other academic load in organizing online activities. They shall carefully plan and implement their activities so as not to distract them from their members’ online classes and academic requirements, and unnecessarily burden them with too much co-curricular and extra-curricular engagements.

5. Upon securing permission from OSA, one member/representative per student organization may be allowed to send one representative at a time to enter the Xavier Hall Office for cleaning and retrieval of documents, and limited operational activities and purposes only, provided that all the minimum health standards of the university, and IATF guidelines shall be followed.

6. All student organizations are highly encouraged to initiate or help in the university’s awareness, prevention, and outreach efforts relative to the COVID-19 pandemic using online platforms.

7. Violations of the temporary revisions and supplemental guidelines implementing the Code of Conduct shall be subject to investigation and adjudication, following the due process defined in the Code of Discipline.

E. Student Ethics/ Discipline

1. The Online College Student Handbook shall be issued to all students through the following:

1. myADNU application

2. www.adnu.edu.ph

Access to myADNU application requires every student to open the Online Handbook, and conform to the following:

“This is to acknowledge that I have received my online copy of the College Student Handbook – 2021/22 Edition. I promise to read and understand the provisions of the Handbook. Conscious of my rights and responsibilities as a student, I pledge to conduct myself according to the policies and guidelines of the university as prescribed in the Handbook. I commit myself to actualizing the University Mission, and actualizing the characteristics of the Profile of the Ateneo Graduate.”

2. The Online Handbook contains the Anti-Violence Policy and Pledge. All students are required to read and understand this policy, and they automatically conform to the Pledge as a requirement to their admission or re-admission to the university.

3. Complaint may be filed to the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) through the following means:

1. Personal filing at OSA; and

2. Online or electronic transmission.

4. For online filing, the complaint or incident report shall be sent to osastudentethics@gbox.adnu.edu.ph, containing the following details:

1. The subject of the e-mail shall contain this format: Complaint-Name-Date (e.g. Complaint-Juan Dela Cruz-September 14, 2021).

2. Complaint and supporting evidence, which shall be electronically transmitted, must be in Portable Document Format or PDF. Evidence that is not documentary in nature may be photographed and converted into PDF of JPEG formats.

5. Case conferences/hearings may be done virtually. As part of its administrative proceedings, the OSA shall record and keep confidential the recordings of all virtual conferences/hearings, for documentation and reference purposes. The OSA shall inform the parties involved, but shall not seek their consent for the recording as it is permitted in the Data Privacy Act.

Complainants, respondents, and other parties, however, are prohibited from recording of virtual conferences/hearing, and sharing of the same materials on social media. Doing so constitutes an offense.

Face-to-face case conferences shall be conducted in a retrofitted and well-ventilated venue.

6. Students are summoned by the OSA and other authorized offices through the following:

1. School/Office/Staff’s official e-mail address

2. School/Office’s official landline or mobile phone, through call or text message

3. Other school’s official platforms/means of communication

7. The Uniform and Dress Code shall apply to those students who are attending their face-to-face classes. Students attending virtual classes and entering the campus to transact other business matters (e.g. dispense student service, submit a requirement, pay fees, etc.) should follow the Dress Code.

8. The School ID is still part of the student’s prescribed attire. Hence, all students, in entering and staying in the campus, must wear their ID at all times. The “No ID, No Entry” shall be strictly implemented by the security personnel in facilitating the student entry at the school gates.

9. Applicable offenses listed in the Code of Discipline, when committed online, shall fall within the jurisdiction of school discipline, through OSA.

10. Unethical behaviors on social media during or in relation to the conduct of the university’s online classes/ flexible learning mode of delivery shall form part of the List of Offenses in the Code of Discipline, and shall be subject to the university’s procedure for investigation and adjudication.

11. Acts of sexual harassment as stated in the Safe Spaces Act of 2019 are included in the List of Offenses Against Persons in the Code of Discipline (Chapter 7 – Letter C.2), and are considered grave offenses with corresponding penalties prescribed by the same Code (Chapter 7 – Letter G).

12. Non-compliance of the health standards and protocols is considered an Offense against Safety and Security, and shall receive appropriate sanctions and interventions.

The authorized university personnel have the right to reprimand students who violated or are in the act of violating the health standards and protocols. Students who refuse to comply with the standards and protocols may be asked to leave the campus, and shall be investigated for possible disciplinary procedures and penalties.

The following are considered as offenses:

1. Non-wearing of mask

2. Loitering on campus, especially in areas off-limits to students

3. Unauthorized conduct of student activities

4. Unauthorized small gathering or meeting on campus

5. Not following the one-way foot traffic flow on campus

6. Not adhering to social distancing rule

7. Other forms of non-compliance with the university’s health standards and protocols

The following are automatically considered grave offenses:

1. Unauthorized mass gathering

2. Repetitive violations of the health standards and protocols

3. Tampering with, vandalism, or theft or removal of safety and security facilities/equipment and materials, like physical barriers, signage, markings, posters, etc.

4. Repetitive violations of the offenses

5. Dishonesty, such as but not limited to false declaration in the health screening, and misrepresentation

6. Others actions that endanger the health safety and security of other members of the university community

The following are the sanctions or penalties for violation of the health standards and protocols:

• First Offense: Written Reminder and Warning

• Second Offense: Written Reprimand and Fine of PHP 300

• Third and Fourth Offenses: Written Reprimand and Fine of PHP 500

• The fifth offense is considered a grave offense.

For erring student organizations, the following shall be the penalties:

• First offense: Written Warning

• Second offense: Face-to face activity ban for a period of one month

• Third offense: Face-to-face activity ban for a period of one semester

For observed major and/or repetitive violations that endanger the safety and security of the students and the university community, the university has the authority to stop, suspend, or cancel the implementation of an ongoing or upcoming activity in question. The OSA shall investigate the incident/s for possible disciplinary action.

Similarly, for the grave offenses committed by individuals, the sanctions prescribed in the Code of Discipline shall be followed.

13. Due process, as defined in the Code of Discipline, shall be followed in the administration of all temporary and supplemental guidelines on student ethics/discipline.

14. The temporary revisions, and supplemental guidelines implementing the Code of Conduct and Code of Discipline shall be subject to review whenever there is any need or new or updated government regulations anytime during the semester or school year. Otherwise, the said guidelines shall be reviewed at the end of the first semester of SY 2022-2023.

The OSA should communicate any changes to the university community, especially the students, via the official e-mail system (GBox), conduct of reorientation meeting, release of social media infographics, and other forms of information dissemination.