Central Mindanao University’s Office of Student Affairs and Services (OSAS) gathered student leaders through a capacity-building seminar on August 1, 2025, at the University Convention Center (UCC), highlighting various topics from Operation and Management Orientation to the Anti-Drug Law and Anti-Hazing Law, serving as a learning avenue to guide and enrich student governance on campus.
In collaboration with OSAS and the Supreme Student Council (SSC), several speakers from different offices of the university were invited to orient and empower student organizations, with the aim of strengthening leadership practices across student bodies and their respective constituents.
To commence the seminar, the first speaker, Ms. Jasmin Ombao of OSAS, delivered a comprehensive Operation and Management Orientation, covering topics such as classification of organizations, registration and renewal policies, and important dates for student leaders. This was followed by a representative from the Software and Development Department of College of Information Sciences and Computing (CISC), who oriented student leaders on how to use the Student Organization Management System, launching them the website, its content, and how to navigate the system.
Meanwhile, a crucial session on Anti-Drug Law Awareness was tackled by Prof. Hermie Pava, the Vice President for Administration, who cited the three important factors of drug abuse: the family, the user, and the drug’s pharmacological properties.
The afternoon session of the seminar began with Data Privacy Officer Mr. Emelio Navaja, who spoke about the Data Privacy Act of 2012, reminding the audience of the responsible use of social media and the timeless message, “Think before you click.”
The second speaker in the afternoon batch, Chief of the Intellectual Property Licensing Unit, Yuyen Tan, delved into the legal basis of Intellectual Property in the Philippines. She explained Republic Act No. 8293, defining crucial terms like patent, trade secret, and copyright.
Simultaneously, the discussion of OBM Director Ms. Louiela Joromat, clarified the difference between the CMU logo and the University Seal. She also covered information about university symbols, color schemes, wordmark, CMU seal colors and sizes, guidelines on design application, and branding in student organization materials.
The closing topic of the seminar was a vital discussion on the Anti-Hazing Law, presented by Atty. Gretel Timario, the University Legal Assistant. She emphasized the transition from the original Anti-Hazing Law of 1995 (RA 8049) to its strengthened amendment, RA 11053 of 2018, which now enforces a total ban on hazing, regardless of the victim’s consent. The scope has expanded beyond different forms of hazing—physical, psychological, and emotional harm—with penalties including reclusion perpetua and fines up to three million pesos.
Through this initiative of OSAS, the university reinforces its commitment to producing responsible, ethical, and well-informed student leaders, equipped not only with leadership skills but also with legal and operational learnings, serving as a backbone of knowledge needed to run their respective organizations as the incoming academic year begins on August 4, 2025.
Writer: Lady Michelle Barlisan
Copyreader: Roel Mamon
