Ateneo de Zamboanga University

The Jesuit University in Western Mindanao, Philippines

In Consortium with:
Office of the Ateneo de Davao University
Vice President for Higher Education Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan

VPHE Memo 2324-01

July 25, 2023

MEMORANDUM
TO : HIGHER EDUCATION UNIT FACULTY AND STUDENTS
RE : 1st WEEK OF CLASSES SCHOOLYEAR 2023-24

Welcome to the new School Year 2023-2024! We welcome, most especially, the new freshmen
comprising the first batch of Senior High School graduates who have fully emerged from the
pandemic!

This year’s opening of new classes is more significant as we begin the new period beyond the Covid19
situation. The national government has lifted the Nationwide Public Health Emergency, and schools
are now back to full face-to-face classroom instruction. With health protocols being relaxed and
threats to our health reduced to the bare minimum, let us, therefore, start this new school year with
a greater sense of positive eagerness and enthusiasm!

Our first week of classes for the college level begins on August 1, Tuesday. By Jesuit tradition,
teachers may observe the “schola brevis” on the first week and may consider discussing the course
outline, course requirements, schedule of activities, and the academic ground rules, e.g., grading
policies, attendance, academic honesty, etc. We expect that many more students will still be enrolling
during this first week as per experience in the past, and there will be movements related to opened
subjects, designated teachers, and/or assigned classrooms. Deans and Department chairpersons are
requested to help ensure that their classes have both teachers and classrooms and to prevent cases
of student disenfranchisement. While we anticipate some confusion during this first week due to
limited facilities and delayed enrollment, let us try as much as possible to settle our students into
their respective classes and start our sessions however best we can make it.

Again, let us welcome this new school year with an earnest desire to serve and form our students as
future leaders with Ignatian character. Thank you for your usual cooperation, and God bless.

(sgd) FR. RENE C. TACASTACAS, SJ

Vice President for Higher Education