June 13 marks the official start of the tertiary classes of Xavier University for the first semester of school year 2016-2017.

Upperclassmen, transferees, and returnees brimmed at the main campus for their respective classes.

Academic vice-president Fr Rene Tacastacas SJ, in his message to all tertiary faculty members of the university, said, “Recitation of classes begins on the very first day classes and all teachers are strongly enjoined to be posted in their classrooms and punctually conduct the initial activities for their courses.”

“By Jesuit tradition, teachers may observe the “schola brevis” on the first day of class but in no way should any class be unilaterally declared a holiday,” Tacastacas continued. “Let us continue to strive together to serve our students better as we begin a new school year.”

A Latin phrase which translates to “brief school,” schola brevis refers to the preparatory days of students for the new academic year and it serves as a refresher on the school's identity, history, tradition, prayers and hymns, among others.

Based on the latest figure from the Registrar’s Office, the tertiary level of XU is composed of almost seven thousand students, from the undergraduate courses up to the professional schools. However, enrolment at Xavier is still ongoing.

Classes of the inaugural batch of Xavier Senior High School students, held at the School of Business and Management (SBM) and Agriculture buildings in the main campus, started a week earlier, on June 6.