These are for large and small infrastructure projects (i.e. academic buildings, rooms) equipment, furniture and fixtures. These projects are duly approved by the Board of Trustees in accordance with the strategic directions of the University.
Donors are accorded the privilege of naming the facility when the amount of the donation is at least 75% of the total cost.
Below is a list of projects Silliman University is proposing to undertake in the near term:
1. Senior High School Academic Building
The construction of a 3-storey Senior High School Academic Building is part of the University’s strategic direction of enhancing its present academic position in the advent of 21st century education. This physical development project is designed to create within the senior high school students, a sense of belongingness, identity, cohesiveness and community. It is the intent of the University to conduct all senior high school classes in one conducive learning space which makes for easier supervision and coordination and care for the safety of students and faculty alike.
The Senior High School Building will be built within the academic zone of the University, adjacent to the Romeo P. Ariniego Art Gallery in the area that used to be the archery range.
2. The Silliman Convention Center (SCC)
Silliman University, as one of the top universities in the Philippines with known experts in various fields in its roster of faculty and alumni, has the reputation and credibility to attract and host international and national conferences with notable speakers and participants. The University has played hosts to a number of conferences and lectures over the past years. These conferences are formally opened at the Luce Auditorium (that only accommodates about 750 pax), while subsequent sessions and meals are conducted in various venues, including classrooms, on campus. An ideal space for these conferences and for student learning activities is desired where all can be accommodated in one space. The SCC can also be opened to the general public when not used for University functions. Currently, there is no appropriate facility in Dumaguete City that can accommodate large conferences and events.
The Administration envisions that conferences, seminars and workshops for about 1,000 (banquet seating) to 2000 (chairs) people will be held at the SCC. It will be ideally located along Hibbard Avenue, the current site of the Silliman Village, and be a good alternative to the government-owned Negros Oriental Convention Center. Total building area is estimated at 6,700 square meters.
3. Reinventing Silliman University Library System for the 21st Century: A Modern Transformation of Services
This proposal is aimed at reinventing the SU Library system to cater to the information needs of the new generations of users using the recent and relevant technological advancements. Specifically, the proposal for the library contains specific activities, success indicators, and deliverables to achieve the following modernization strategies:
- Ensure balanced, current, relevant, and convenient access to the vast resources and services of the library;
- Establish, strengthen and sustain the teaching-learning relationship among the 21st century stakeholders and community;
- Provide current and functional technology with reliable connectivity for library customers to become knowledge-creators and innovators; and
- Provide physical and virtual spaces for exploration, creation, and collaboration among library customers.
The SU Library has been standing for more than 40 years since its inauguration in August 1979. Its renovation is expected to take at least three years. The first year is focused on the interior renovation of the existing building that consist of about 6,600 square meters, a seating capacity of 1,850 and book stacks capacity of up to 500,000 volumes.
The Uytengsu Foundation, Inc. is donating towards the establishment of transformative learning space, specifically transdisciplinary and state-of-the-art laboratories to serve Silliman University faculty, staff, and students, and the broader community. This transformative learning space shall be transformative, transdisciplinary, and holistic, will transform the University’s library services emphasizing technology, collaboration, and flexibility.
The Digital Library for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, a subset of the main proposal to modernize the Silliman University Library System has been completed. This was donated by Dr. Mariano C. Lao. It is located on the first floor of the Main Library. It has a variety of innovative learning stations of services with emphasis on the mobility of the learners and content, ease of accessibility, and collaboration and networking. It is equipped with the latest hardware and software infrastructure to provide the intended services.
The Silliman University Council of North America (SUACONA) has donated an elevator that will allow easy access to facilities in the building for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
4. The Silliman University Environmental Learning Resource Center (SUELRC)
The learning resource center is a multidisciplinary collection of environmentally relevant best practices, outputs and programs (i.e. both academic and non-academic) of the University anchored on conservation awareness and environmental sustainability. It is a designated area where these best practices are demonstrated as a benchmark for other academic institutions in the context of implementing environmentally responsive and relevant instruction, research and extension. The aspects of the learning resources may be represented by infrastructure, demonstration areas and information materials as well as programs that are showcased in the Resource Center. The center encapsulates the Silliman brand of environmentally relevant education.
The SUELRC will be ideally located at the Center for Tropical Conservation Studies (CenTrop) Palinpinon Expansion Site. The Expansion site is a 19-hectare University property situated in Barangay Palinpinon, Municipality of Valencia, Negros Oriental. The area is now utilized as the expansion and relocation site for the endemic wildlife fauna exhibit of the CenTrop. Currently, there are built structures such as the Philippine Spotted Deer enclosures and the Warty Pig pens.
The SUELRC’s framework offers options for development action areas. These four (4) development action areas vary in complexity and may be adaptable to fit the unique capabilities of the various units (i.e. academic and non-academic) as well as the alumni of the University as they highlight and showcase their respective learning resources (outputs and programs) with the Silliman brand of environment and conservation education.
The four areas are:
(a) Biodiversity Conservation and Education. Biodiversity conservation through effective education is the main thrust of the Learning Center as wildlife informative exhibits, rescue/rehabilitation, captive breeding/release, “rainforestation” simulation areas, arboretum, nature and environmental appreciation programs (e.g. nature camps/tours, volunteer services, short term certificate courses, etc.) provide a venue and medium for effective environmental education.
(b) Environmental Consumerism and Revenue Generation. Financial sustainability for the center is generated through environment-friendly enterprise development. Revenues from the Center’s souvenir shops, guided tours, user’s fees (entrance fees, use of venues, etc.), donor programs and other income generating projects become one of the sources of financial support for the learning resource center.
(c) Green Architecture & Design. The center boasts of building structures and architecture embracing “green” design aesthetic that is nature-friendly. Center facilities will be a showcase environmentally sound waste management and water use program as well as efficient alternative energy utilization (solar power).
(d) Community and Individual Stewardship. The center provides reliable and objective information on environmental stewardship by presenting socio-cultural sustainability practices that empowers the community and individual to take action and make a difference.
Currently, SU is establishing an arboretum within the CenTrop Palinpinon Expansion Site. The project, done in partnership with the Energy Development Corporation, will be a garden where various tree species are grown and preserved for scientific and educational purposes.
5. Ecological Park (Eco Park) at the Silliman Beach
Silliman University is a registered owner and a holder of a foreshore lease located at Silliman Beach, Barangay Bantayan, for educational and research purposes. The University also owns property known as the Dr. Angel C. Alcala Environment and Marine Science Laboratories, adjoining the foreshore lease area where the Institute of Environment and Marine Sciences is located. The Marine Mammal Museum, which houses the world’s second largest Bryde’s whale bone collection in the world.
It is envisioned that the area will be a self-sustaining ecological park. Silliman aims to apply and implement the concept of social fencing where members of the community police themselves, which include surveillance against the destructive influence of outsiders and result in an emergence of a sense of collective responsibility to protect the Eco Park, the natural environment in and around it, and the community as a whole.
The project includes a boardwalk, information center/Bantay Dagat Station, and some cottages. The boardwalk goes into the Mangrove Mini Forest.
Interested donors are encouraged to get in touch with the Office of the President
2nd Floor, Leopoldo Ruiz Hall, Silliman University
Tel. No. 420-1901 local 210 Email: [email protected] for inquiries.