Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9045)
The institutions integrated to form Batangas State University are: (1) Pablo Borbon Memorial Institute of Technology including its branches in several municipalities and cities in Batangas Province, (2) Jose P. Laurel Polytechnic College in Malvar, (3) Apolinario R. Apacible School of Fisheries in Nasugbu, and (4) the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Campus in Sto. Tomas.
The University shall primarily provide advanced instruction and professional training in scientific, technological and special instructions in fields such as engineering and technology education, business and economics and entrepreneurial technology, agriculture, teacher education, arts and sciences, undertake research and extension services, and provide progressive leadership in these areas.
The University is authorized to offer undergraduate, graduate, and short-term technical courses within its areas of specialization and capabilities, as deemed necessary by its Board of Regents.
The governing body is the Board of Regents, composed of the Chairman of CHED as chairman, the University president as vice chairman, certain Senate and House committee chairpersons, regional directors of NEDA and DOST, federation presidents of faculty, students, alumni, and two prominent citizens from Batangas.
The two (2) prominent citizens serve for two (2) years. The presidents of the federations of faculty, student councils, and alumni serve terms coterminous with their offices. Vacancies in the office of the University president are filled by an officer-in-charge for the unexpired term.
The Board has powers including: enacting rules and regulations; appropriating funds; receiving donations; fixing tuition and fees; adopting a socialized tuition scheme; authorizing construction and purchase of properties; appointing officials; setting curricula; awarding honorary degrees; establishing branches and research centers; and entering into joint ventures among others.
The president administers the University full-time, is appointed by the Board for a four-year term, can be reappointed once, exercises all usual presidential powers, and has salary and benefits aligned with similar educational institution heads.
Yes, Section 19 explicitly states that the University shall enjoy academic freedom.
The existing high schools of the integrative institutions are transferred to the jurisdiction and supervision of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), but they may remain on campus until students complete their high school education. The University may also operate a laboratory school if it has a college of education.
Yes, faculty members at the tertiary level are exempt from civil service examinations as a requisite for appointment, without prejudice to the Board's authority to impose other professional requirements.
All parcels of land belonging to the government and occupied by the integrated institutions are declared property of Batangas State University and shall be titled under its name. If the University ceases to exist or no longer needs the land, it shall revert to the respective provinces, municipalities, or cities.
The term can be extended beyond retirement age but not past 70 years old if the president's performance has been unanimously rated as outstanding and is unanimously recommended by the search committee.