General Guidelines on Tambayans in U.P. Diliman

Generally, students of U.P. Diliman may spend the time before, between or after their classes within their colleges or in general areas around the campus. For those who wish to study, libraries and learning resource centers are open throughout the day. For those who wish to eat, there are food outlets around the campus. For those who wish to chat and relax, many areas are available around the academic oval and lobbies of colleges.

In addition to these general student areas, some spaces have been designated by university and/or college authorities as special places for members of student organizations. These are commonly called tambayans.

These general guidelines apply to all tambayans in U.P. Diliman.

1. Definitions

1. A tambayan is a space within the University, which the members of a student organization regularly occupy in order to conduct organization activities.

2. A student organization is a group of at least 15 students who have common goals and interests, embark on joint activities in pursuit of these goals, and meet regularly to form close bonds.

3. There are two (2) types of student organizations according to membership: college-based and university-based. A college-based organization has a majority of its members (50 + 1) enrolled in one college. A university-based organization has a majority of its members (50% + 1) enrolled in different colleges.

4. A recognized student organization is one that has been given permission to conduct its activities within the UP premises, to make use of University facilities, and to have/keep a tambayan.

   College-based organizations are given annual recognition by the college in which they have their tambayan. University-based organizations are given recognition by the Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs (OVCSA) through the Office of Student Activities (OSA) upon completion of specific requirements.

2. Assignment of Tambayans

1. The University, through the OVCSA, shall designate areas within the University as tambayan areas based on these general guidelines and on University rules and regulations.

2. In addition, the University, through the College Deans shall designate areas, rooms, or structures within college premises as tambayans based on these general guidelines and on University and college rules and regulations.

3. Should the designated tambayan areas be insufficient to accommodate all the student organizations, the student organizations may occupy other general areas inside the University following these guidelines.

4. Should the University reclaim an area previously designated as tambayan for academic uses, such as additional classrooms, it shall provide an alternative area for the relocation of the tambayan.

5. Generally, tambayans within the colleges are for college-based organizations. However, should there be sufficient space, university-based organizations may be given tambayans within college premises.

6. Every recognized student organization is entitled to only one tambayan within the campus.

3. Application for Tambayans

1. University-based and college-based student organizations, which have been recognized for at least one year, may apply for a tambayan.

2. For university-based organizations, a committee composed of 4-6 heads of student organizations elected by a majority of student organization heads and chaired by the OSA Coordinator shall take care of monitoring and rating all student organizations for purposes of applying/renewing applications for a tambayan.

3. Tambayans shall be awarded to organizations based on the following criteria:

   1. number of years since its establishment,
   2. number of years since its official recognition as an organization,
   3. growth: i.e., performance and number of members, compared to that of the previous year,
   4. contribution to the University,
   5. awards received,
   6. service to the community and the nation,
   7. other conditions/criteria set by the committee.

4. A number of points shall be given for each criterion, to be determined by the committee.

5. Student organizations shall be ranked according to number of points, and the ranking shall be considered in granting approval of application/renewal of tambayans.

6. Similar procedures for awarding tambayans shall be adopted by colleges for college-based organizations and university-based organizations that have tambayans within the college premises.

7. Organizations that applied for but were not given tambayans because there are no vacant slots shall be given first priority during the next application period or when a vacancy occurs.

8. A student organization may be allowed to fund the construction of its own tambayan provided that this is placed in the designated areas and conforms with the University-approved design. The organization will be allowed to stay for four years after its construction, after which the organization must apply for tambayans as the other organizations.

4. Duration of Stay in Tambayans

1. Initially, student organizations are given a one-year occupancy at their tambayans. This is renewable yearly according to these general guidelines and other pertinent University rules and regulations. Applications for renewal must be reviewed in order to give a chance for other organizations to have tambayans.

2. If a student organization is not recognized, the tambayan is automatically returned to the jurisdiction of the University on the day after the deadline for recognition. The tambayan may then be given to another student organization.

3. If occupancy at a tambayan is not renewed, the student organization should vacate the tambayan not later than 30 days from the deadline for recognition.

4. If a student organization is suspended by University officials for a period of one semester or more, it automatically loses its tambayan during the semester of suspension and the succeeding semester.

5. The OSA or the Office of the College Dean has the prerogative of transferring a student organization from one tambayan to another upon consultation with students, if such a move shall result in better and/or more peaceful relationships among organizations.

5. Regulation within Tambayans

1. Respect the peace and quiet of nearby tambayans.

2. Keep the tambayans always clean.

3. Tambayans shall not be transferred to any other place or position, nor should any part be moved or removed.

4. Tambayans shall not be shared by two (2) or more organizations except with written directive/approval of OSA/College Dean.

5. The permission of the OSA/College Dean is needed before undertaking any improvement in the tambayan, such as painting, putting a cabinet, etc.

6. Gambling, drinking alcoholic beverages, and immoral acts are prohibited in tambayans.

7. A minimum fee for the collection of trash may be collected at the start of each semester.

8. Regular inspection of tambayans shall be conducted by the university officials or their designated representatives.

9. Radios and other sound equipment may be turned on in tambayans, provided that they are kept at a normal volume. Electrical appliances are not allowed, except with the approval of University college officials, and upon payment of corresponding current charges.

6. Penalty

1. Any student organization that violates any of these regulations on the use of tambayan for the first time shall be issued a warning.

2. For the second offense, the length of occupancy of the tambayan shall be reduced by one semester.

3. For the third offense, all privileges for a tambayan shall be withdrawn for the current semester, and the student organization shall not be allowed to qualify for a tambayan for the succeeding semester.

4. Section 2 and 3 of the “Rules on Student Conduct and Discipline” of the University of the Philippines as approved by the Board of Regents upon recommendation of the U.P. Diliman University Council, shall likewise be enforced.

7. Implementation

1. These general guidelines cover all tambayans except for the offices of the Philippine Collegian and the University Student Council, which are covered by the provisions of the University Code.

2. These general guidelines shall be imposed by the Coordinator of OSA, the Student Relations Officers and/or College Secretaries, or their designated representatives.

3. All tambayans in the Diliman campus are under the management of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs. Thus all issues related to tambayans are within the scope of responsibility of the OVCSA.

8. Effectivity

1. These general guidelines take effect upon approval of the Diliman Chancellor upon recommendation of a majority of recognized university-based organizations and the University Council Committee on Student Organizations and Welfare (UCCSOAW).

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