QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11554)
RA 11554 converts the Basilan State College (BASSC) into a state university to be known as the Basilan State University (BASSU).
Its main campus shall be located in Barangay Sumagdang, Isabela City.
The conversion includes extension campuses in Tipo-Tipo and Maluso (municipalities) and Lamitan and Isabela (cities), all located in the Province of Basilan.
To primarily provide advanced education, higher technological and professional vocational instruction and training in specified fields, and to undertake research and extension services and production activities in support of socioeconomic development.
It shall offer short-term technical-vocational, undergraduate, and graduate courses in fields stated by the Act, and existing/future TESDA-supervised technical-vocational courses remain and continue to be offered within BASSU campuses.
BASSU is governed by a Board of Regents chaired/co-chaired by the CHED Chairperson and the BASSU President, respectively, with listed government and sectoral members and two private-sector representatives.
They are two prominent citizens from the private sector. The Board appoints them from at least five qualified persons in Basilan recommended by a search committee constituted by the BASSU President (in consultation with the CHED Chairperson and other Board members). Their term is two (2) years from appointment.
The Board may fix/adjust tuition and other school charges after due consultation; the fees and charges including government subsidies and other income constitute special trust funds deposited in authorized government depository banks, with the interests also forming part of the same funds.
Income generated by BASSU from tuition/charges and auxiliary services and land grants shall be retained by BASSU and may be disbursed by the Board for instruction, research, extension, and other programs, except that fiduciary fees must be disbursed for their specific collected purposes.
BASSU must adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and other school fees for greater access of poor but deserving students consistent with RA 10931.
The Board meets once every three months; special meetings may be called with written notice at least three days prior. Quorum is a majority of all members holding office, and the Chairperson of the Board or the BASSU President must be present. The President of BASSU acts as presiding officer when the CHED Chairperson cannot attend.
The President is appointed by the Board for a four-year term (eligible for reappointment for another term) upon recommendation of a duly constituted search committee. For smooth transition, the incumbent President of BASSC, if qualified, shall serve as the first President of BASSU.
The Board designates an Officer-in-Charge (OIC) to serve only the unexpired portion of the term pending appointment of a new President.
Conversion becomes effective only upon CHED’s determination and declaration, based on a panel of experts, that BASSC has complied with CHED requirements for university status under CHED Memorandum Order No. 46, s. 2012, at least substantially.
Full-time permanent faculty with relevant degrees and research participation; comprehensive range of degree programs from basic post-secondary to doctoral; visible research programs producing new knowledge; comprehensive learning resources and support structures with linkages; maintenance of linkages/affiliations with other research institutions globally; and outreach activities addressing social development problems.
All assets, real and personal property, personnel, records, and liabilities/obligations of BASSC are transferred to BASSU, but positions, rights, and security of tenure of faculty and personnel are respected, and incumbents remain in the same status until otherwise provided by the Board.
All parcels of land belonging to the government occupied by BASSC are declared property of BASSU and must be titled under BASSU’s name; if BASSU ceases to exist/abolished or lands are no longer needed, they revert to the concerned LGU or the Republic of the Philippines.
It takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.