• The  3-hour INTACT program  for freshies includes Safe Spaces modules, educating students on gender equality, respectful communication, and the Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313). The University Gender and Development Office (UGDO) also mandates GST for all personnel and higher education students, integrating discussions on sexual harassment policies and inclusivity challenges.

Environmental sustainability:

Additionally, through various offices, the University conducts environmental sustainability training mainly for staff, student leaders,s and student organization members.

• Student-led organizations and student leaders (Office of Student Activities)

In partnership with Ateneo Global Leadership Program delegates, the Office of Student Activities - College conducted a 3-hour  Sustainability Design Thinking Workshop Series in March 2024, engaging 181 participants from 37 student organizations. The workshops guided students through structured activities—framing sustainability challenges as opportunities ("How Might We’s"), developing solutions ("Storyboard of the Supervoted"), and anticipating challenges ("The Triptych"). The series culminated in the EcoEngage Conference, where student leaders co-authored a manifesto committing to sustainability in organizational activities, laying the foundation for a five-year sustainability development program.

• Students (Ateneo Institute of Sustainability)

The Ateneo Institute of Sustainability (AIS) led three sustainability-focused workshops during this year’s Talakayang Alay sa Bayan (TALAB) on October 15. The sessions, which engaged over 160 participants, aimed to deepen students’ understanding of sustainability in line with the theme "Integral Ecology: Caring for Our Common Home."

The workshops included "One Big Hive: Reimagining the Campus," where participants explored campus sustainability through a walk and design-thinking activities. The "BiodivLab Aquatic Insect Workshop" introduced hands-on aquatic insect collection and identification, highlighting biodiversity conservation. Lastly, "Unpacking Sustainability: Navigating Tensions in Our Common Home" provided insights into sustainability challenges through interactive discussions.

The Organization Sustainability Audit for ESG Practices

The Organization Sustainability Audit, developed by the Office of Student Activities and Ateneo GLP 2023 delegates, serves as a framework for embedding sustainability practices within student organizations, aligning with Laudato Si’ principles. This audit evaluates sustainability efforts across environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dimensions, ensuring that present initiatives do not compromise future needs.  

The framework includes key components such as assessing the current organizational state, examining sustainability practices like awareness campaigns and carbon footprint offsets. It also reviews organizational events, focusing on eco-friendly measures such as meat-free food options and waste management. The audit further explores sustainability knowledge, ranking organizations' understanding of resource use, and identifies sustainability goals for long-term improvements.  

Through this structured approach, the audit empowers student organizations to adopt practical sustainability strategies, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and ethical governance within the university community.

With experts from AIS and the Ateneo Biodiversity Research Laboratory guiding the sessions, the workshops reinforced AIS’s commitment to sustainability education, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to contribute to environmental resilience.

Encouraging Bicycle Use on Campus

Ateneo’s objective is to expand bicycle usage by revisiting 2018 bicycle guidelines, while engaging the biking community, with the aim of gathering insights that will raise awareness more students, faculty, and staff to choose cycling as their primary mode of transport around campus, and increase the average bicycle count. For SY 2023-2024, the average bicycle count was 71.

Finalizing these guidelines is the first step in establishing specific targets for bicycle use on campus.

Reducing Vehicle Numbers with a Carpool System

The average daily vehicles on campus last SY 2022-2023 was 7,932 vehicles. To decrease the number of vehicles on campus, CSMO plans to pilot a carpool system within the basic education unit, a trial initiative to test the effectiveness of carpooling as a sustainable solution for  traffic, noise pollution and vehicular congestion. The basic education unit will serve as the benchmark for expanding this initiative to include the higher education unit.  Additionally, the basic education unit on campus will also be the reference point for increasing bus ridership, further aimed at significantly reducing the number of private vehicles on campus, and its overall carbon footprint.

 

 

 

Increasing Pedestrian-Friendly Walkways

In collaboration with the  Campus Facilities and Management Office, the CSMO, advocating for more pedestrian-friendly spaces, especially within the Higher Education (HE) complex. To achieve this, CSMO intends to expand its covered walkways, promoting healthier and more sustainable mode of campus transit.

Adding E-Jeepneys and Charging Stations

The university is committed to growing its fleet of electric jeepneys (e-jeepneys), adding to the current pool of 8 jeepneys, and ensuring sufficient charging infrastructure. By providing more e-jeepneys, Ateneo aims to cut down on traditional fuel-powered transportation on campus, reducing overall emissions and offering a greener option for community members.

Exploring Incentives for Electric Vehicle (EV) Users

While incentives for electric vehicle (EV) use have yet to be formalized, CSMO has counted and registered 36 EVs that enter the campus.

Ateneo de Manila University Continues Tradition of Affordable Housing for Faculty

The Ateneo de Manila University's Single Faculty Accommodation Program represents the university's continued commitment to providing reasonably priced accommodation for its staff. This annual program, which has been around since the 2000s, still provides academic staff with convenient and reasonably priced living options.

The goal of the Single Faculty accommodation program is to provide assistance to tenured faculty members who are single (or not married), live outside of Metro Manila, and find it difficult to find acceptable accommodation that is close to the university. All full-time teachers and administrators are invited to apply; selections will be based on availability, but these individuals will be given priority.

For each academic year, the university is offering 8 double-occupancy apartments at an affordable monthly rate of P6,600.00 per resident. Because it is far lower than the market prices for off-campus rentals, this pricing is highly enticing to faculty members searching for inexpensive living options. Utility and phone bills will be sent to residents separately by the university administration.

For further information or questions, please get in touch with the University Residence Halls office. Giancarlo P Tuazon, Director of University Residence Halls, is making this call to action to make sure that everyone who is interested has the chance to choose convenient and reasonably priced lodging for the forthcoming academic year.

The University's Contribution to Sustainable Cities and Communities

The findings about the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) indicate a positive trend in arts and heritage support, with moderate support in 2021 and significantly improving in 2022, reflecting a strong commitment to nurturing cultural activities and heritage preservation within sustainable urban environments, which continued into 2023. Arts and heritage expenditure demonstrated substantial financial investment in cultural activities and heritage conservation in 2021, remaining stable in subsequent years, highlighting the university's consistent financial support for such initiatives. Additionally, there was notable progress in adopting sustainable practices within SDG 11, encompassing sustainable commuting, remote work promotion, affordable housing, pedestrian-friendly campuses, and collaborative planning with local authorities, aligning to create sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities and communities.

Ateneo de Manila University has made significant strides in aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) related to sustainable cities and communities. Over the years, notable progress has been in adopting sustainable practices, emphasizing a commitment to creating environmentally friendly and resilient urban environments. Key initiatives include promoting sustainable commuting, endorsing remote work options, providing affordable housing solutions for employees and students, prioritizing pedestrian-friendly campuses, fostering collaboration with local authorities in planning and development, and maintaining high standards in construction. These efforts collectively enhance the sustainability and inclusivity of both the university campus and the surrounding communities, reflecting Ateneo's dedication to SDG 11.

Campus Bicycle Use

To promote the safety of bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists on its campus, Ateneo de Manila University created comprehensive Bicycle Use Guidelines through its Campus Safety and Mobility Office. These guidelines, which took effect on 30 May 2018, prioritize the well-being of individuals within the university premises. Bicycle safety is emphasized in the guidelines, which encourage using helmets, proper hand signals, and regular maintenance of bicycles. Specific areas for bicycle use are designated on campus, including uni-directional bicycle lanes and shared-use paths, with regulations outlining speed limits and overtaking practices. The guidelines also stipulate specific requirements for bicycle equipment during certain hours and prohibit using headphones or cell phones while biking. Additionally, the guidelines for bicycle parking ensure that pathways are organized and unobstructed, with responsibility shared between university units and service providers.

Bike Racks on Campus