De La Salle Lipa College Student Handbook Preface
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College Student Handbook DE LA SALLE LIPA COLLEGE STUDENT HANDBOOK PREFACE The College started publishing a Student Handbook in school-year 1993 – 1994. Since then, numerous changes have been introduced in succeeding editions to make school policies and procedures more responsive to the needs of the school community and the challenges of the times. In case of necessary revisions, however, adjustments would be simply inserted in future editions. Revisions would come from suggestions solicited from the different offices and groups in the institution, including the student sector. Nevertheless, each member of the community is encouraged to provide suggestions towards the improvement of the handbook’s contents and its implementation. The policies and procedures contained in this handbook are not intended to limit individual freedom and aspiration. Instead, each provision seeks to guide a member of the school community towards the better performance of his or her role as a Doer, Learner, Sharer/Server and Leader. While the handbook is admittedly not perfect, it is expected that all sectors at De La Salle Lipa will do their part in the common objective of building a positive working and learning environment College Student Handbook SECTION I INTRODUCTION I. Vision and Mission To be a sign of faith as an excellent educational institution, sharing in the Lasallian mission of teaching minds, touching hearts and transforming lives. SIGN OF FAITH To be a sign of faith is for DLSL to be witness to the values of communion with God and the priority of the gospel in human life, and be committed to growth in the spirit of faith as described in the “Foundational Principles of Lasallian Formation”: The spirit of faith flows from a relationship of communion with the Triune God who wills to save all people by drawing them into a life-giving communion with Him and with one another. In the Lasallian tradition, the spirit of faith is a spirit that allows one to: a. discover God’s active presence in his Word, in men and women, in the poor, in nature, in history and in ourselves; b. judge and evaluate things in the light of the gospel; c. search for God’s will in order to carry out His saving plan; d. unite one’s actions to the ongoing saving action of God in the world; and e. trust in God’s loving presence and Providence when acting or discerning God’s will. The spirit of faith is a disposition of the mind and heart that (1) allows believers to interpret, judge and evaluate the reality in the light of the Gospel; (2) moves and motivates them to contribute actively to the fulfillment of God’s saving plan; (3) enables them to take necessary risks and act with boldness in accomplishing what is demanded by each situation, placing their trust in God’s Providence to guide, sustain and make fruitful their efforts. 1 1 Guiding Principle of the Philippines, Lasallian Family, 2005 2 College Introduction Student Handbook EXCELLENT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION An excellent educational institution is one that is dynamic, maintains quality programs, provides services beyond what is basically required, and equips its members with the virtues, knowledge and skills necessary to live productive professional and civic lives anywhere in the world. Because the institution’s excellence is anchored on Gospel values, this excellence makes DLSL a sign of faith. TEACHING MINDS Teaching minds is empowering members of the Lasallian family to become lifelong learners who are competent, creative, critical, and committed to service. It is also the act of promoting a culture of partnership, collaboration, and co-responsibility for the mission among administrators, students, faculty and staff. As a community dedicated to education and informed by the Lasallian spirit, DLSL offers educational experiences that are collaborative, contextual, dynamic and pedagogically diverse. TOUCHING HEARTS Touching hearts for DLSL is the provision of an education that expresses a genuine care and concern for students in their individuality and uniqueness, an education that invites them to be at their best and moves them to become agents for the transformation of others and of the society to which they belong. TRANSFORMING LIVES Transforming lives pertains to the act of serving as inspiration for others to live a life of faith, commitment, and service. Inspired by the charism and vision of our founder, St. John Baptist De La Salle, we become ambassadors of Christ, spreading the Good News through our actions and making a difference in the lives of people that we encounter. By creating concrete programs that serve the poor and provide the less fortunate with the chance for a better life, an equal opportunity for quality education, and a renewed relationship with God, DLSL becomes an instrument for the transformation of life. 3 Introduction College Student Handbook A. The First Brothers and La Salle Schools In April 1651, St. John Baptist De La Salle was born to a wealthy family in Rheims, France. Although raised and educated with all the privileges that accompanied his influential social standing, early on in his life, Jean Baptist De La Salle became disturbed by what he saw in society: widespread poverty and the plight of poor children who seemed “…so far from salvation” and were “…often left to themselves and badly brought-up.” De La Salle was ordained priest at the age of 27 and went on to devote himself to the Christian education of the poor. He began by recruiting young men whom he trained to become good Christian teachers, went on to found schools for poor children, and eventually renounced his personal wealth to found a community of educators which in time became the Brothers of the Christian Schools, better known in the Philippines as the La Salle Brothers. Canonized by the Catholic Church as Saint in 1900 and proclaimed Patron of Christian Teachers in 1950, St. John Baptist De La Salle is recognized as the Father of Modern Education, an educational innovator who continues to be the guiding spirit that animates every La Salle school. Today, more than three centuries after their founding, there are more than 10,000 La Salle Brothers serving the youth in schools, colleges, universities and other institutions in more than 80 countries throughout the world. B. The La Salle Brothers in the Philippines The Brothers first came to the Philippines in 1911, when they established a small school in Manila which in time grew to become De La Salle University. Having established a reputation for excellent Christian education, the Brothers expanded their efforts in the country and established the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City (1952), La Salle Academy in Iligan City (1958) La Salle Green Hills in Mandaluyong City (1959), St. Joseph’s High School in Bacolod City (1960), and De La Salle Lipa in Lipa City (1962). Other schools followed, and almost a century after their arrival in the country, the Lasallian education benefits almost 90,000 students throughout the Philippines. C. De La Salle Lipa De La Salle Lipa traces its origins to Our Lady of the Rosary Academy (OLRA), a school for boys and girls operated by the Maryknoll Sisters in the 4 College Introduction Student Handbook city of Lipa. Having decided to refocus their apostolate in the early 1960s, the Sisters arranged for the La Salle Brothers to assume responsibility for the education of the OLRA boys. In 1961, in a seven-hectare plot of land three classroom buildings, a Brothers’ residence and a covered gym area were constructed. The new school had 11 spacious classrooms, two science laboratories, a library, and four administration offices. The following year opened its doors to the OLRA Boy’s Department with 221 grade school pupils. More buildings and other facilities were built, year level offerings expanded, and in 1974, girls were admitted for the first time. A college department opened in 1985, and a graduate school in 1996. At present, De La Salle Lipa has more than 10,000 students in its primary, secondary and tertiary education divisions, and offers a broad range of basic, two-year certificate, four-year, five-year undergraduate programs and graduate degree program. D. The Seal In school year 2005-2006 and on an interim basis, De La Salle Lipa adopted a new seal to symbolize its heritage and mission of providing Lasallian education in the Southern Tagalog region of the Philippines. The seal and its elements are as follows: Star of Faith The Star of Faith, or Signum Fidei , recalls the biblical star of Bethlehem which led the Magi to the child Jesus (Mt. 2:9 – 10). It reminds every Lasallian of God’s call to be signs of faith and symbols of God’s love in the world, especially for the poor. Shield The shield, whose four quarters define a cross, represents the Lasallian’s role as a loyal defender of the Catholic faith. Broken Chevrons Johan Salla, Warrior in Chief of Atphonus the Chaste, King of Oviedo, expelled the Moors from Urgel and reestablished the Ephiscopal See in 818. The broken legs he sustained during combat as he fought side by side with his king is the origin of the broken chevrons on De La Salle’s coat of arms. 5 College Student Introduction Handbook Stallion The stallion is a symbol of Lipa City, which has been known for its fine horses. It also epitomizes strength, industry, speed and endurance-qualities expected of every Lasallian. Coconut Tree A highly versatile and useful crop that is cultivated throughout the Philippines, the coconut stands for life, versatility and resourcefulness. Fan Knife Another symbol of Batangas province, the fan knife, or balisong , represents the Batangueños’ industry and craftsmanship.