Question & AnswerQ&A (PROCLAMATION NO. 450)
Republic Act No. 11859 converts the Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology (NONESCOST) into a state university named the State University of Northern Negros (SUNN) and appropriates funds for it.
The main campus of the SUNN is located in Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
SUNN shall offer short-term technical-vocational, undergraduate, and graduate programs in agriculture, arts, biology, national science, business, management, criminology, education, engineering, fisheries, food technology, healthcare, industrial technology, information and communications technology, marine sciences, and other relevant fields as deemed necessary by the Board.
The administration and exercise of corporate powers shall be vested exclusively in the Board of Regents and the President of SUNN.
The Board shall be chaired by the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and co-chaired by SUNN's President; members include the Chairpersons of relevant Senate and House Committees, Regional Directors of NEDA, DOST, and Department of Agriculture, Presidents of SUNN's federations (faculty, student, alumni), and two prominent private sector citizens appointed by the Board.
The Board promulgates policies, approves curricula, appoints officials, fixes salaries and fees, adopts socialized tuition schemes, establishes professorial chairs, manages funds, sets admission policies, awards honorary degrees, authorizes construction and acquisitions, among others detailed in the Act.
The Board shall regularly convene once every three months; special meetings may be called by the Chairperson with at least three days written notice to members.
The SUNN President is appointed by the Board after recommendation by a search committee, serves a full-time four-year term, and may be reappointed for another term. The incumbent NONESCOST President may serve as first SUNN President if qualified.
SUNN shall enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy pursuant to Section 5, Article XIV, paragraph 2 of the Philippine Constitution.
The conversion shall be effective only upon CHED's determination, based on a panel's recommendation, that NONESCOST complies with university status requirements including full-time faculty with relevant degrees, a comprehensive range of degree programs, viable research programs, learning resources, international linkages, and outreach activities.
All assets, personnel, liabilities, and records of NONESCOST are transferred to SUNN. Faculty and personnel positions, rights, and security of tenure are respected and incumbents remain in status unless changed by the Board.
SUNN is exempt from customs duties on importation of economic, technical, and cultural books with CHED certification, and all grants, donations, and contributions for educational purposes are exempt from donor's tax and deductible by the donor for income tax purposes.
The Academic Council formulates academic policies, reviews and recommends curriculum and student discipline rules, fixes admission and graduation requirements, and exercises disciplinary powers over students, subject to Board approval.
The Board fixes tuition and other school fees, may adopt a socialized scheme for greater access by poor but deserving students per Republic Act No. 10931, and income generated is retained as special trust funds for SUNN's use.
Two prominent private sector citizens are appointed by the Board from a recommended list of at least five qualified persons from Negros Occidental based on standards set by the Board, serving two-year terms.