For Edwin Reyes, Director for the Sponsored Research Administration Office (DSRA), development can mean anything to anyone. But in University parlance, it is international in scope.
Other names that identify the office are ‘Office of Development and Alumni Relations Office’ and ‘Development Office’; but the latter is officially known by the title of DSRA. It is directly under the Vice Chancellor for Lasallian Mission and Alumni Relations and is mandated to generate resources for the support of scholarship and faculty.
In further explaining the two basic functions of the office, he shares that finding funds for scholarship comes in the form of grants and endowments. The office is aimed at perpetually generating substantial funds for scholarships. Regarding faculty, he mentions the need to give incentive packages that are above their standard salaries and sponsorship for conferences and research.
The office is also geared towards the generation of resources for capital requirements. It has the authority to solicit sponsorships from individuals or groups outside the University.
The office, as Reyes explains, is different from Alumni Relations and the Alumni Association, two entirely separate entities. The former is more focused in maintaining connections and contacts with DLSU graduates, while the latter is an independent entity outside the University which may organize activities autonomously, not subject to the approval of the University.
“Our [goal] is to [instill solidarity] in the DLSU community. What’s the community? It’s the staff, faculty, students and sponsors of the school.”
Necessary changes
Reyes shares that a merger will soon take place between the DSRA and the office for Alumni Relations to ensure uniformity and successful communication between the University and the alumni. The plan is intended to take place next year. “I [received] word from Br. Ricky to work on it immediately if it’s going to do good for the University.”
On the other hand, the sponsored research, which is part and parcel of DSRA, may be moved to the Vice Chancellor for Research for palpable reasons. “[Since] we are supposed to be a research university, it (sponsored research) should be under a vice chancellor,” he explains.
Projects
The office is currently pursuing some programs, such as the Count Me In project, a fundraiser for the payment of the Centennial Hall. Reyes discloses the fact that the University has always had a stale database and that the project aims to form an up-to-date record.
“We send Abot Tanaw or 2401 to them (alumni) and we don’t even know if they ever receive it. We want them to [continue to have a sense of belonging] to the University and [part of that effort] is sending birthday letters signed by the DLSU President [himself]. We got a lot of responses,” he shares.
The project also intends to introduce DLSU Connect, an online publication where relevant news will be posted, with the updates specifically targeting alumni. Reyes mentions that sending out hardcopy magazines is relatively expensive compared to posting online.
Another project is the Lasallian Legacy Fund Campaign, which is now on its 15th year, working for the target amount for 2012 amounting to Php 5 million. Some students assist in the endeavor and solicit funds for scholarships, individually and as recommended for the beneficiary of organizational activities. However, Reyes admits that it is hardly publicized and limited only to fliers, emails and certain publications such as Rektikano and Animo.
