It’s been over a month since Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan decided to shut down and temporarily halt operations in all of its campuses.
The XU community is left to face uncertainty due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In response to the pandemic, various changes have been implemented in Xavier Ateneo.
Transition to Work-From-Home Arrangement
In his memo, Xavier Ateneo president Fr Roberto “Bobby” Yap SJ detailed the work-from-home arrangement. Administrators, faculty, and staff are all encouraged to continue with their tasks and submit their deliverables online.
To aid employees, the minimum net pay is adjusted for the month of April. A moratorium on payables to the university was also granted for tuition/books, counterpart installments on subsidized laptops, CHED Bridge loans, and Sendong loans.
Quarantine Activity. The XU Little Strummers played their ukuleles as part of Xavier University Grade School's Project Rise.
Strengthening of Online-Learning Support
Fr Yap also calls for the strengthening of the online learning capacity of Xavier Ateneo. The teaching faculty are called to conduct classes through online learning methods. Committees were set in place to enhance online learning facilities and to help faculty moderate their classes.
Xavier Ateneo is promoting self-directed and peer learning which emphasizes independence and cooperation among students. Departments are encouraged to come up with “innovative and credible assessment processes done face-to-face.”
Postponement of University Testing Dates
Xavier Ateneo postponed university testing dates scheduled from April 15 to April 30 for SY 2020-2021 Senior High School, Higher Education, Graduate and Professional Schools. Pre-evaluation for agencies inside the XU community and admission exams to other schools are postponed as well.
Notification emails about the postponement of tests are sent to those who registered, physically or online.
Online Mass. Xavier Ateneo chaplain Fr Manases Amanence SJ celebrates the Friday Octave of Easter mass, April 17, via the Xavier University Immaculate Conception Church Facebook page.
Online Celebration of Holy Week, Easter
Following local government and CBCP directives, Archbishop Antonio Ledesma SJ of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro reminded all clergy and parishioners that there should be no public masses.
In lieu of public celebrations, the bishop encouraged “all the faithful to stay at home and be in spiritual communion with the presiders at these celebrations through TV, radio, Facebook, or any media.”
Through the official page of the Xavier University Immaculate Conception Church, Xavier Ateneo offered live online masses on announced schedules. Mass intentions were commented on the live online masses posts. Songs were also posted prior to the online masses as guides.
Institutionalized Response (#XUKontraCOVID19)
Xavier Ateneo unified its COVID-19 response under #XUKontraCOVID19. As of April 19, cash donations reached a total of P 692,000 and material donations range from PPEs for frontliners to food assistance to families in need.
In a memo, Fr Yap shares, “I am heartened by the quiet dedication, creative problem-solving, and generosity to respond that I am witnessing here at Xavier Ateneo.”
He thanks Ateneans who are “truly acting as men and women for others who care for the common good and who put themselves and their needs in second place after those whom we serve.”
In Xavier Ateneo, excellence is experienced in service to others.∎