Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9055)
The Aklan State College of Agriculture located in the Municipality of Banga, Province of Aklan is converted into a state university known as the Aklan State University.
The University shall retain its original mandate as a primarily agricultural institution, providing advanced instruction and professional training in agriculture, science and technology, education, and related fields, undertaking research and extension services, and providing progressive leadership in these areas.
The Board of Regents includes the chairman of CHED as chairman; the president of the University as vice chairman; chairmen of education-related committees of the Senate and House of Representatives; regional directors of NEDA and DA; presidents of faculty association, student council, and alumni association of the University; and two prominent citizens from Aklan chosen by a search committee.
They serve for a term of two (2) years and are chosen from a list of at least five qualified persons in the Province of Aklan.
They include enacting rules and regulations, appropriating funds, receiving legacies and donations, fixing tuition and fees, authorizing construction and property acquisition, appointing officials, fixing salaries, approving curricula, awarding degrees, establishing branches and research centers, entering joint ventures, delegating powers, and extending the term of the University president among others.
The president is appointed for a term of four (4) years, extendible for another four (4) years only.
The existing high school shall be transferred to the Department of Education, Culture and Sports but may remain and operate within the University campus until current students complete their education. The University may operate a reasonably-sized laboratory school if it has a college of education.
The Board may fix reasonable tuition and other school fees and charges, which, along with government subsidies and other incomes, will be special trust funds for the University. Income generated shall be retained and used for instruction, research, extension, or other programs, with fiduciary fees used for their specific purposes. A socialized tuition scheme shall also be adopted for poor but deserving students.
The University shall enjoy academic freedom ensuring freedom in teaching, research, and expression without undue interference.
All assets, fixed and movable, personnel, records, liabilities, and obligations are transferred to the University, with no impairment to personnel rights or positions. Existing position incumbents retain their status until the Board provides otherwise.
The academic council is chaired by the University president and includes all instructional staff with rank not lower than assistant professor. It prescribes curricular offerings (subject to Board approval), fixes admission and graduation requirements, has disciplinary power over students, and formulates academic policies and rules.
Faculty members at the tertiary level are exempt from any civil service examination as a requisite for appointment, but the Board may require other professional examinations to maintain academic standards.
On or before the 15th day of the second month after the opening of regular classes each year, the Board must file a detailed report with both Houses of Congress.
The Treasurer of the Philippines serves as the ex officio treasurer of the University.
The University shall provide scholarship and affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving students, allocating at least 20% of annual enrollees to students from families below the poverty level, without discrimination based on sex, religion, cultural or ethnic affiliations.