COA-M releases Safe Spaces Declaration - mandatory compliance required for all accredited college student organizations

In a historic move aimed at fostering a culture of safety and inclusivity, the Council of the Organizations Ateneo – Manila (COA-M) has officially unveiled the much-anticipated Safe Spaces Declaration. This groundbreaking document, now a mandatory requirement, will serve as a cornerstone in the commitment of Ateneo's diverse student organizations to create environments free from sexual and gender-based violence, harassment, and any form of harm.

After a meticulous and comprehensive process spanning an entire year, the COA-M Safe Spaces Committee, under the dedicated leadership of Francis Jhio V. Camama, the Safe Spaces Coordinator, has announced the release of this exhaustive declaration. This initiative, the result of extensive consultations with lawyers, the Office of Student Discipline, the University Office of Decorum and Investigation, the University Gender Development Office, the University Gender Hub, and the Office of Student Activities, aims to bridge University policies with those of each individual organization, ensuring a unified commitment to the safety and well-being of every member of the organizational community in the Ateneo.

In a stern directive, the COA-M, in collaboration with the Office of Student Activities, emphasizes the mandatory nature of the Safe Spaces Declaration. ALL organization members are required to sign and submit the document. Failure to comply with this directive may result in appropriate action being taken by their respective organizations.

The Safe Spaces Declaration serves as both a contract and a pledge of commitment between individual members and their respective organizations. It requires a commitment to actively contribute to maintaining an environment that upholds compassion and empathy. Non-compliance with this crucial step could lead to repercussions for individual members, emphasizing how seriously Ateneo COA-M regards the commitment to ensuring the welfare of every student within its community.

Official instructions regarding the submission of the Safe Spaces Declaration will be communicated to individual organization members via email on November 23, 2023.

Stay tuned for further updates on this revolutionary development as Ateneo COA-M leads the way in prioritizing the safety and well-being of its student community.

See the memo here: COA-M Safe Spaces Memo