De La Salle University - Manila

Formation and Development (FORMDEV)

The College of Computer Studies has a special formation program called FORMDEV (Formation and Development). The goal of FORMDEV is two-pronged: introduce students to the life and values of St. John Baptist de la La Salle; assist students in relating the life and values of St. La Salle to their own lives, values, and dreams.

History

FORMDEV began as the "CLP" group in SY 1999-2000. The group's original objective was simple: to study the life of St. La Salle, with the hope that it would inspire the members to be more Christ-like, and more concerned about the poor.

The group was originally composed of faculty members, including faculty administrators, but eventually grew to include students and co-academic personnel. When the group finished Bro. Luke Salm's book, "The Work is Yours" in SY 2000-2001, the student members of the group unanimously felt that all CCS students should have the same experience of getting to know La Salle and the members of the CCS community more deeply.

In SY 2001-2002, more students were invited to be part of CLP "Batch 2." Simultaneously, preparations were made to offer FORMDEV to all CCS sophomores the next year.

FORMDEV was first offered on the first term of SY 2002-2003, with more faculty than student facilitators. On the first trimester of SY 2003-2004, FORMDEV was offered to CCS sophomores for the second time, but this time with much more student than faculty facilitators.

On the second trimester of SY 2003-2004, FORMDEV will be offered to CCS freshmen for the first time. The current pool of facilitators now include around 60 students and 15 faculty and academic service personnel.

Family

The FORMDEV family consists of volunteer faculty facilitators, student facilitators, and auxiliary staff. Together they realize FORMDEV's goal by the grace, and for the love, of God.

Each facilitator, or "faci", is assigned a group of CCS students. For one trimester, the group faci introduces, through word and deed, his or her group to St. La Salle, and assists his or her group in addressing concerns or assessing values in light of the Gospel.

Auxiliary staff, or "auxis", perform logistical and other functions that free facis to focus on building relationships with their groups.

Every member of the FORMDEV family goes through workshops, seminars, and fellowship meetings that deepen their understanding of the Lasallian and Gospel values and their friendship with one another.

The Lasallian Values

The Lasallian values, as expressed in De La Salle's Rule, are faith, zeal, and community. Moreover, St. La Salle and his Brothers have always had a special concern for the poor youth.