Campus Life

From orientation to graduation, the Center for Student Affairs (CSA) recognizes that there are valuable venues for learning outside the walls of the classroom. Aside from the day-to-day services CSA provides, there is also a diverse selection of activities, development programs and volunteer projects in store for students who aim to optimize their UA&P experience. These combine to address the various needs of students and provide an atmosphere conducive to personal learning and growth.

Student Development

The Office of Student Development is a unit under the Center for Student Affairs (CSA) that provides opportunities for growth and development through socio-civic and cultural programs and activities. OSD has three sub-programs that handle a more specific range of activities to ensure learning and development even on activities that involve personal interest. These are Organizations and Leadership, Kultura, and Civics.

OSD’s Organizations and Leadership program focuses on the development of the student organizations and student leaders through assemblies, leadership workshops, and facilitating students’ participation in external opportunities.

  • Leadership Effectiveness and Attitude Development (LEAD) is a program for potential student leaders in their first and second years.
  • The Unitas Leaders Assembly (ULA) is an annual gathering of all student leaders which focuses on organizational development and strategic planning. Throughout the assembly, organization officers are re-familiarized with topics such as personal leadership, group dynamics, and presentation of plans.
  • Student Leaders Lounge (SLL) is a series of regular get-togethers with officers from recognized student organizations. A topic relevant to the formation of these student leaders is chosen for each session.
  • The Unitas Awards (UA) is a yearly event recognizing the accomplishments of achieving SIGs, Associations, and Guilds. The event is done in collaboration with the Office of Sports Development – which also recognizes achievements of Varsity Teams and Sports Clubs – and the University Student Government – which recognizes achievements of their Committees as well as other student groups in the university such as JNS, JMC, etc. The Unitas Awards are organized primarily to encourage more and more UA&P students to get involved in extra- and co-curricular activities, which are seen as vital in enriching their lives and completing their holistic education while they are members of the University community.

Kultura, the arts and culture program under the Office of Student Development of the Center of Student Affairs, focuses on instilling values formation and people development through its various activities, which seek to preserve and promote culture and the arts and its significant role in liberal education. It aims to be an artistic and cultural hub that champions and celebrates aspiring and emerging artists in its community. Founded in 1995, Kultura relentlessly strives to advocate the transformative values of the arts to the individual and society through its array of programs and activities that cater to UA&P as well as the surrounding community.

  • Artists of UA&P is a campaign that brings together the artistic talents of UA&P to engage in conversations about their artistic practice, as well as the current trends and issues related to the field of arts and culture.
  • The Creative Musing is an enrichment program that consists of a series of arts workshops open to the UA&P community. The program aims to complement the art appreciation classes offered at the University and provide a platform that encourages artistic discovery and development.
  • The Kultura Arts Mentorship Program is a year-long development training for the Kultura Arts Guild/s (KAG), such as the UA&P Chorale. It provide artistic talents and art managers an opportunity to explore, enhance, and exhibit skills and talents under the mentorship of professionals and practicing artists.
  • The Kultura Arts and Culture Conference is an annual conference on emerging trends, research and concepts related to art and culture. It will include plenary talks, pocket performances, and an exhibit. It is scheduled to take place every February to commemorate National Arts Month.
  • The Kultura Volunteer Program (KVP) allows students to share their passion for the arts and contribute their skills and talents to the community by co-organizing arts programs and activities, such as the ones described above.

The Civics program under the Office of Student Development focuses on socio-civic initiatives, and guides student organizations in the execution of their outreach projects. It aims to hone the UA&P students’ sense of citizenship through its activities.

  • BIGGKAS+ is the university-wide extension program of UA&P under the supervision and guidance of the Center for Social Responsibility (CSR). The project name stands for the seven (7) basic initiative clusters, namely: Basa, Isip, Gawa, Galing, Katesismo, Arte and Sports. It is an institutional outreach program that aims to kindle the spirit of generosity
    and volunteerism among UA&P students, employees and alumni, as well as promote the values of charity, solidarity, and citizenship. In the current online learning scenario, OSD-Civics will implement BIGGKAS Online, a series of online learning sessions/activities catering to its partner LGUs. These sessions will address concerns related to education, livelihood, health & wellness, etc. in relation to the current pandemic.
  • The Civitas Asia National Student Conference (civAsia) provides a venue for meaningful discourse about the Sustainable Development Goals and other related topics.
  • VolunTArYO promotes various advocacies and community involvement by featuring NGOs and volunteer opportunities, in celebration of the National Volunteers Month.
  • Salt and Light is a campaign that celebrates the value of kindness and compassion by giving recognition to outreach activities personally initiated by members of the UA&P community.
  • A.C.E.R.S., which stands for Advocates of Community Empowerment, Resilience, and Sustainability, is a volunteer program that aims to provide both students and alumni volunteers hands-on training and experience in organizing, implementing and evaluating socio-civic activities and projects under OSD-Civics, such as the ones listed above.

Sports Development

At UA&P, participation in sports is seen not only as a mechanism for the development of students’ physical competence and fitness, but more importantly for their character formation. With each training session or competition, with each victory or loss—students imbibe the values of teamwork, self-mastery, discipline, and the practice of sportsmanship at all times.

Varsity Development Program

UA&P’s sports varsity development program, under the Center for Student Affairs – Office of Sports Development, provides students with an opportunity to hone their leadership skills, develop healthy friendships, and achieve excellence in their chosen sport. SportsDev manages the varsities’ participation in intercollegiate leagues such as the Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA), Men’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (MNCAA) and others. As such, it also contributes to the development of school spirit and a sense of UNITAS as members of the University community gather to cheer for our teams.

Recruitment for the varsity teams takes place during enrollment and the first few weeks of classes, and at the end of each school year. Our varsity teams (UA&P Dragons) are:

  • Men’s Basketball
  • Men’s Futsal
  • Firestarters (Varsity Cheer Squad)
  • Women’s Basketball
  • Women’s Futsal
  • Squadra (Dance Varsity)
  • Men’s Volleyball
  • Table Tennis
  • Wildfire (Drumline)
  • Women’s Volleyball

Sports Clubs

Recognition and supervision of student-initiated sports clubs is administrated by the CSA – Office of Sports Development.

Institutional Sports Development Program

In line with CSA’s thrust towards values formation and wholistic development, the Office of Sports Development has been entrusted with the University’s institutional sports development program. Aside from the varsity sports program, SportsDev’s projects include University-wide sportsfests and intramurals such as the Unitas Games, invitational and open tournaments, training programs for coaches and sports managers, sports clinics, grassroots sports development programs, UA&P’s athletic scholarship program, leadership formation programs for athletes (Unitas Athletes Assembly), wellness and fitness programs and other special programs for sports enthusiasts. These various projects are implemented in cooperation with the varsity teams, sports clubs, University Student Government, student volunteers, other units in the University, and external partners.

Student government is, first and foremost, a laboratory for civic education where students who demonstrate an exemplary capacity for leadership and a willingness to serve their fellow students acquire actual experience in the exercise of civic responsibility. All members of the student polity, by exercising the privileges of their membership in the student body, acquire an understanding of civic responsibility.

Furthermore, if the University charges its students with the responsibility of participating in the management of its corporate vision, it needs to provide and regulate the means by which such participation is enabled. Given that student government is an extra-classroom learning opportunity that the University needs to manage well in order to prepare students for responsible participation in civil society, facilitating the operations of the student government is a vital service that CSA provides through the Office of Student Development.

All students are highly encouraged to participate in student government by voting in student government elections, and by supporting the various projects of the elected officers. They may also take a more active role by volunteering for the different committees under each USG officer (listed below), by joining a political party, by running for office (whether under a political party or as an independent candidate), or by volunteering for the COMELEC.

Student organizations are student-initiated clubs that engage in activities aimed at your intellectual, cultural, and professional formation. While academics are the main thrust of university education, education does not occur solely within the four walls of the classroom. Your education is incomplete without your involvement in student organizations, which are a venue for more thorough personal formation. These organizations give you the opportunity to manage projects, meet and work with different kinds of people, apply things learned in the classroom, and gain friends.

Joining student organizations is an excellent way of putting into practice what you have learned while having fun. The University, therefore, encourages you to meaningfully participate in at least one extra-curricular activity. You may hesitate to join extra-curricular activities because of a perceived lack of time. Although your primary purpose for being in the University is to study, you should also recognize the proper value of non-academic activities. With proper time management, you can do well in school and still be active in student organizations.

Dulaang Rock Opera Company (Dulaang ROC)
Status: Regular
Established in 1989, Dulaang ROC (originally named Rock Opera Company) is the pioneering student theater organization of the University of Asia and the Pacific. Now on its 35th year, it continues to promote Filipino culture, language and literature by staging the works of established and emerging Filipino playwrights.

Reverb Music Productions
Status: Regular
Reverb is an organization for all the musicians and music producers of UA&P who wish to share their talents, skills and ideas, and interact in an environment that is creative, supportive and welcoming to all. It aims to be a harmonious community of musicians and producers, united to make music that echoes reality, and to orchestrate actions that will result in the betterment of society.

ViARE
Status: Regular
Founded in 1993, ViARE continues to propagate arts appreciation through theater in UA&P. It aims to provide its members a suitable outlet for their respective talents within the parameters of the theater experience. By enabling them to experience all facets of creating a theater production, ViARE intends to instill creativity, camaraderie, professionalism, and a deep appreciation for the liberal arts.

ALON
Status: Probationary
ALON is a student organization in the University of Asia and the Pacific that advocates environmental conservation. It aspires to contribute to the Earth’s positive change by nurturing life in all its diversity.

ASCEND
Status: Probationary
ASCEND is a student organization whose goal is to foster multi-cultural understanding and relationship bonding between the Filipino-Chinese community and the rest of the UA&P community, uniting them through various projects and events.

Catalyst of UA&P
Status: Regular
Catalyst is the outreach, advocacy, and leadership organization of the University of Asia and the Pacific. It aims to provide UA&P students with opportunities to participate in meaningful service projects that uplift the economic, moral and intellectual status of individuals, communities and sectors of Philippine society most in need. True to its name, Catalyst
encourages its members to be agents of positive change in society.

Dragon Business Club
Status: Regular
Dragon Business Club (DBC) is the entrepreneurship community in the University of Asia and the Pacific that aims to foster collaboration among schools to discuss matters relating to business and entrepreneurship. The organization aims to provide an ideal training ground and support for business-minded students so that they may rise to meet their goals and ignite the
spirit of entrepreneurship among students

Junior Philippine Society for Talent Development – UA&P Chapter
Status: Probationary
The Junior Philippine Society for Talent Development – UA&P Chapter (JPSTD-UA&P) is the first chapter established under the Philippine Society for Talent Development’s federation of universities. The chapter itself is a non-profit, socio-cultural organization that aims to connect its members with opportunities that allow them to hone their skills and equip them with real life industry knowledge through workshops and seminars. Implementing projects with the goal of preparing them to enter the workforce embodying the UNITAS spirit, JPSTD-UA&P aims to be the stepping stone to every dragon’s promising career after college.

Sabio
Status: Regular
Sabio is the official organization of UA&P scholars. Its members aspire to live the ideals of academic excellence, friendship and personal and social responsibility. Sabio, in Spanish, means “wise” or “learned”. This term describes what the University’s scholars must be: students who strive to achieve academically and to become an active part of the University by helping other students and prospective scholars in their human, cultural and professional formation. The organization’s motto is the Latin word “Possumus,” which means “We can!”

Anima
Status: Regular
Anima is a community of actively participating students. It exists to protect, maintain, and uphold an atmosphere of student initiative for the University’s well-being.

Kasangga
Status: Regular
“Kasangga” is a Filipino term translated as “partner”. The name reinforces the idea that the members of this party see themselves as representatives of the student body who will be acting on their behalf once they get elected in office. The members of this party aim to be allies in promoting students’ rights and welfare, and better student body representation in administrative affairs of the University.

Academic associations are the official organizations composed of the students from a particular school, college, institute or academic program in the University. They produce projects that are aligned with their course of study, and that will aid in the students’ professional formation. Recognition of academic associations/organizations is administrated by the CSA – Office of
Student Development, while the responsibility for supervising the activities of these organizations is shared by CSA and their respective academic units, particularly with the faculty members chosen as their moderators, as well as the Operations Committees of their schools.

Guilds are student organizations, whether arts-oriented or civic-oriented, whose primary function is to officially represent the University in external competitions.

UA&P Chorale
The University of Asia and the Pacific Chorale (est. 1995) is the University’s resident choral ensemble, which aims to continue developing a varied and progressive repertoire of sacred and secular music. Over the past years, the UA&P Chorale has produced numerous major concerts and performs regularly at University events, choral festivals, and other singing engagements. It has also competed and won in local, national and international competitions and produced a
CD album, entitled “ONE.”

Virtus
Virtus is a union of UA&P’s student competitive teams. It acts as a platform to do three things—train, compete, and serve. It carries the torch for the University and blazes a bright trail in its path. It covers a broad range of fields—from business case competitions to public policy, investment, public speaking and debate. It aims to empower students through providing
avenues to challenge the world.

The UA&P sports varsity teams, which go by the monicker UA&P Dragons, represent the University in intercollegiate leagues such as the Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA), Men’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (MNCAA), Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association (ISAA), and others. The varsity sports program is manage by the Center for Student Affairs – Office of Sports Development.

  • Men’s Basketball Team
  • Women’s Basketball Team
  • Men’s Volleyball Team
  • Women’s Volleyball Team
  • Men’s Futsal Team
  • UA&P Men’s Futsal Varsity
  • Women’s Futsal Team
  • Table Tennis Team
  • Badminton Team
    The UA&P Badminton Team provides venues for its members to enhance their skills in playing the sport and gain opportunities to compete in leagues.
  • Firestarters (Varsity Cheer Squad)
    The UA&P Firestarters is the premiere varsity cheer squad of the University excelling in both cheerleading and cheerdance. As spirit leaders, we aim to lead not just the UA&P crowd but also our esteemed athletes in different events, specially during sports tournaments. As a competitive squad, we are highly trained in dance, gymnastics, and stunting. We are proud podium finishers in the recent editions of the Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA) and the Women’s Colleges Sports Association (WCSA). The team had the privilege and honor to represent Team Philippines in Cheerleading Asia International Open Championships in Tokyo, Japan, back in 2014 and 2015.
  • Squadra (Dance Varsity)
    Squadra is the official dance varsity of the University of Asia and the Pacific — a team which fosters teamwork, discipline and commitment through their shared passion for dance. All for Him: one love, one team, one family.
  • Wildfire (UA&P Drumline)
    The UA&P Drumline, also known as “Wildfire”, is all about promoting UNITAS and school spirit. This dedicated group of percussionists lifts the morale of our athletes during their games, and supports their fellow students during school events. With their roaring shouts and heart-stopping beats, they inspire everyone to be one in support of our alma mater and the students who represent it.

Budo Club
Status: Regular
The UA&P Budo Club is a multi-disciplinary martial arts club that aims to promote self-defense and physical fitness in the University through training in various martial disciplines. The club limits training to the traditional martial arts of Asia and currently offers training sessions in Aikido, Arnis, and Karate.

An intrinsic part of your liberal education—and part of the commitment of the University to the holistic development of its students—is the Student Mentoring Program, through which the University’s interdisciplinary offering of knowledge, skills, and values is reinforced on a one-to-one personal level.

The Student Mentoring Program provides you with the opportunity to avail of personal advising and assistance in different areas and at various stages of your student life. It will help you to reflect upon, assess, evaluate, and integrate your learning skills and experiences—under the guidance of your mentor—in a way that benefits the acquisition and strengthening of your intellectual skills and moral criteria. This is aimed toward the holistic formation of your personal, professional, and social life.

This system of personal formation essentially revolves around the mentoring sessions, which are regular, confidential conversations between you and your mentor about your life in the University. In principle, the sessions occur once or twice a month. However, if circumstances permit, a mentor can meet his or her mentees as often as needed.

The Student Mentoring Program is administered by the different academic units and the Center for Student Affairs – Office of Student Mentoring (CSA-OSM). For any concerns regarding mentoring, please email [email protected] or drop by the CSA-OSM office (CAS 2/F).

The CSA – Office of Guidance and Counseling (OGC) provides a comprehensive developmental program of services and activities, which are designed to reach students, parents, faculty and staff members. The programs, services, and activities are focused on prevention and intervention, and are conceptualized, designed systematically, and implemented by experienced PRC-licensed guidance counselors, guidance consultants, psychologists, and psychometricians in collaboration with other professionals.

As students grow into the University, their concerns and expectations change when they encounter personal difficulties in academics, environment, adjustment to college life, and interpersonal relationships. Counseling helps students find healthy ways to address these issues, develop positive coping strategies, and learn ways of effectively developing, maintaining, and negotiating relationships with others. 

The counseling service is a professional relationship that empowers students to overcome obstacles and personal challenges that they are facing. It is a collaborative effort between the counselor and the student in which the counselor listens and offers insights while the student actively solves his or her concerns. This relationship is built on trust, understanding and accompaniment.

Counseling can address personal, academic, career and social concerns of the student. It can also be individually done or in a group setting. Each counseling session is conducted in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, with the utmost respect
for confidentiality and privacy. Counseling can be done online using the following platforms: e-mail, text messages, phone call, Skype or Google Meet.

To set an appointment for counseling:

  • Freshstart – freshman orientation that introduces new students to their new schoolmates, to the University officials, and to the University’s history and culture.
  • Freshman Development Program (FDP) – a seminar series organized for the freshman students to further help them adjust to college life.
  • Intake Interviews – get-to-know-you sessions done across year levels that determine how students are faring with their transition to University life. It also seeks to identify and address their academics, socio-emotional and personal needs and concerns.
  • Psychological Testing/Assessment – students may take any of the available standardized tests to appraise their strengths, aptitude, interests, personality and career path. The results of the tests are interpreted to students to help them gain better self-awareness.
  • Peer Facilitators Program – UA&P PEER is the official student arm of the CSA – Office of Guidance and Counseling, The group is composed of students who help other students by offering socio-emotional support and guidance on how to succeed in and adjust to university life. Mental health and wellness is one of their primary advocacies. Peers also undergo programs aimed at helping them become mature and well-adjusted individuals, able to take various roles in society. Under the supervision of CSA-OGC, they lead and organize various OGC projects that serve to enhance and develop the socio-emotional and academic climate in the university.
  • THRIVE Program – this program focuses on promoting mental health and wellbeing to enable students to realize their academic potential. This program has modules designed to improve students’ mental health by fostering wellbeing. Likewise, it will also offer a suite of self-help resources and links to access services within the University to assist students to better support their mental health.
  • Brain Break – students are provided a space where they can do activities to help them relax and cope with the stress brought by the final examination period.
  • Academic Support – this program offers a variety of resources to students to help them with their learning progress and improve their academic performance. It also provides different relaxation activities to assist students to relax and to take a break which is an essential means to achieve productivity, success and a positive outlook.
  • Synergy – this program is a networking session in which OGC facilitates relevant and timely mental health talks and or parenting seminars for UA&P parents, faculty, mentors and employees to build supportive networks for students. Synergy is also a get-together program that invites different mental health allies outside UA&P. It aims to strengthen connections and relationships to build shared responsibility in taking care of students across educational levels and professions.
  • Students with Additional Needs (SwAN) – faculty members, mentors and concerned staff undergo a series of trainings that aims to educate and equip them with the skills needed to spot, refer, and manage students with possible additional needs. SwAN also provides policies and procedures to better help faculty, staff and students to have reasonable academic
    accommodations while experiencing the unique challenges posed by these additional needs, without compromising the University’s educational principles and standards.
  • Exit Questionnaire and Exit Interviews – exit interviews conducted with graduating students are used to evaluate the academic programs and different services that the students have experienced throughout their stay in the University.
  • Research and Evaluation – OGC conducts research and evaluation to establish the effectiveness and relevance of its programs and services in addressing the demands, needs, abilities and interests of the students. This aids OGC in assuring that its programs and services are at par with the growing evidence-based practices in the guidance counseling profession.

Part of a person’s integral formation is provided by formative activities that promote a deeper understanding of religious doctrine and growth in spiritual life. The UA&P Chaplaincy encourages you to take advantage of these opportunities for spiritual direction. Appointments are made directly with the chaplains. The UA&P chaplains hold office in the Sancta Maria Stella Orientis Oratory (SMSO located at the Development Communications Building (DCB) and beside the chapel of the Administration and Library Building (ALB Oratory).

Visit the UA&P Chaplaincy page for more information.

The University houses two libraries:

Undergraduate Library
Location: 3rd Floor, Administration and Library Building (ALB 3/F)
The Undergraduate Library contains the humanities collection, books, and periodicals intended for the use of undergraduate students.

Graduate Library
Location: 4th Floor, Administration and Library Building (ALB 4/F)
The Graduate Library houses the major portion of the UA&P library collection, Multimedia Section, Technical Services Division, Acquisition Section, and the office of the University Librarian. The collections in this library are primarily for graduate students and faculty.

For more information, visit the UA&P Library website here.

Download the SY 2024-2025 Edition of the UA&P Student Handbook here or view it below.

UA&P Student Handbook

Following through on the University’s commitment to strengthen policies and procedures particularly on the effective response to the demands of the Safe Spaces Act (RA No. 11313), we have instituted the Policy on the Creation of Safe Spaces in the University.

This improved policy is a product of the learnings, experiences, and suggestions gathered by the Human Resource Management and the Center for Student Affairs in the implementation of the former Policy on the Management of Sexual Harassment Cases and Other Offenses of Sexual Nature, and the findings and recommendations of the Ad Hoc Investigative Committee convened to review complaints about past incidents.

The goal of this new and improved policy is to safeguard the values enshrined in our Educational Principles, specifically on creating a positive and serene academic environment in the University. We encourage everyone to review it and do their part in promoting an academic atmosphere that is conducive to the integral development of all members of our community.

UA&P commits itself to being a safe space for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. If you would like to report any policy violations, please complete this online form. You may also report other discipline-related concerns here.
 

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