The future of SII and its advisory board

After multiple emails were sent out to members of the Saint Ignatius Institute (SII), urging students to consider joining the board, the results have finally arrived. A small group of eight students will be running the SII advisory board in the upcoming academic year; three seniors will be on the board along with two juniors, sophomores and freshmen.

According to Hannah Bendicksen, former SII sophomore representative, and Barbara St. Marie, Director of SII, there was a lengthier waiting period for potential Junior class representatives to step up to the plate.

In a recent SII advisory board town hall meeting, Narciso Matthew Gonzales Bernardo, a junior, took notes on what was discussed a seemingly important thing that was taken note of was “personal relationships are the priority.” The notes mostly consisted of the successful SII events that took place over the course of the year and possible improvements / enhancements to the community for the following year, such as more weekend events and creating a class council.

According to Bernardo’s notes, positive feedback was received for the SII retreat, the committed SII resident advisors (RAs), and the small intimate courses (especially symposia) that were offered this year. Since ‘personal relationships’ are very important to the SII community, there was also discussion for more inclusivity and accessibility for upperclassmen, especially for those who live off campus; Bernardo’s notes indicate that future events may potentially be scheduled to the convenience of upperclassmen so more are able to attend. 

Director of SII, Fr. Gerdenio Manuel, wrote in an end-of-year newsletter to the SII community: “The Advisory Board, [RAs], and office assistants did a great job in organizing and executing the SII programs. Thanks to all of our leaders.” He too, acknowledged the togetherness and support needed a “living-learning community” like SII to make it thrive.

In terms of the upcoming school year, St. Marie says: “I treasure the sense of strong academics and community within our SII community” and that she mostly looks forward to “finding ways to enhance and encourage this in the coming academic year.”

According to St. Marie, the new SII board members are Joshua Dela Cruz, Clarisse Bautista, Christine Abiba, Savannah Jones, Fran Carr, Katherine Garcia, Abeygail Panganivan and Soni Vera.