THOMASIAN athletes now have every reason to go “home” after a hard day’s work.
Their new home, the GMG Active Dormitory, has gotten an upgrade, befitting top-class athletes who have made UST perennial UAAP champions.
Surveillance cameras were installed in each floor to ensure the security of the entire dormitory, which currently houses 199 athletes.
This way, the management can efficiently monitor the situation inside the premises.
Upon the University’s request, grills were also constructed around the building to prevent thieves from climbing up the walls of the dorm. There’s also an ample number of security guards.
Besides the strict security arrangements, athletes are also served three meals a day, free of charge. A new cook was hired, supervised by his predecessor, to ensure that no substandard food is served.
The dorm also has five water dispensers, and the management conducts monthly water analysis to check the water potability.
UST still pays the dormitory P6,000 monthly for every athlete for the board and lodging, the fee exclusive of electricity and waterexpenses.
Should an athlete want the luxury of having additional appliances meant for entertainment, he has to shell out some extra cash—P100 monthly for electric fan, P200 monthly for laptop, and P150 monthly for TV.
An area on the rooftop has a sub-meter for a more accurate computation of the occupants’ water consumption.
Despite these improvements, Lady Jin Jade Zafra said that the dormitory still had a lot of work to do, especially when it came to sanitation and maintenance.
“Our former dorm was more efficient and spacious. Also, the utensils in our present residence are sometimes dirty,” she said.
“We are also having some conflicts with the 10 p.m. curfew especially since most of us have training late at night.”
Another athlete, who spoke on condition of anonymity, shared the same sentiment on food sanitation.
Also reacting about the matter is an athlete who likewise preferred the meals served in their previous dorm, the Isabel Building. He said they were more “nutritious.”
House discipline is also an issue.
“We’re trying our best to impose discipline among the UST athletes,” said Josephine Danganan, administrator of Active Dormitory.
“Unfortunately, there are some who constantly break the rules.”
Properly securing a leave pass signed by the Office of Student Affairs is a major concern of the management throughout the students’ stay in the dormitory.
“There are students who just leave without filling out a leave pass,” Danganan said. “Sometimes, we cannot even identify them because not all have pictures in their IDs.”
According to Danganan, the maintenance crew was also having a hard time keeping the dorm clean and pest-free. She said some athletes often violated the rule against bringing food inside the rooms.
“Some even throw their food in front of the elevator,” she said.
Asst. Prof. Francis John Patrick Vicente, Institute of Physical Education and Athletics Moderator, preferred not to pass the blame on any specific party.
“Both sides are responsible for the matter. Both the discipline of the athletes and the facilities of the dorm should be considered,” he said.
Vicente acknowledged that there were just some athletes averse to the idea of following house rules.
“These cases, when reported to us, are relayed to the coaches,” he said.
“Before sanctioning misbehaving athletes, they first determine the gravity of the offense. If proven grave, the athlete may be kicked out of the dorm.”
In the spirit of improving the relationship of both parties, Vicente collects comments, complaints, and suggestions from the athletes every month, which will then serve as the basis of their next actions.
“Although we do this, only the reasonable demands of the athletes are granted,” he said.
