QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11980)
The short title is the “Revised Bulacan State University Charter.” It declares the State policy to promote, foster, nurture, and protect the right of all citizens to accessible quality education by strengthening BulSU, expanding curricular offerings, and improving its governance, instruction, research, and extension functions.
BulSU includes existing campuses in Malolos and San Jose del Monte City, and in the municipalities of San Rafael, Bustos, Bulakan, and Hagonoy. The main campus remains in the City of Malolos, Province of Bulacan.
BulSU primarily provides advanced education, higher technological and professional courses and training programs in specified fields such as engineering and technology, arts and sciences, education, agriculture and industrial fields, accountancy/business/public administration, medicine and allied health, hotel/restaurant management, tourism, aeronautics, artificial intelligence and robotics, law, and nontraditional research/extension and production activities—supporting socioeconomic development in Bulacan and Central Luzon.
BulSU must comply with CHED policies, standards, and guidelines for the offering of courses and for the introduction of new or revised programs.
It may open new branches or extension campuses in consortium with other academic institutions to improve access and advance innovation/research capabilities, subject to applicable arrangements and compliance with CHED policies, standards, and guidelines for such campuses.
The Board of Regents is chaired and co-chaired by the Chairperson of CHED and the President of BulSU, respectively. Members include: (a) Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education chairperson; (b) House Committee on Higher and Technical Education chairperson; (c) NEDA regional director; (d) DA regional director; (e) DOST regional director; (f) presidents of faculty, student, alumni, and nonteaching personnel federations; and (j) two prominent private sector citizens.
They are appointed by the Board from a list of at least five (5) qualified persons from Bulacan recommended by a search committee constituted by the BulSU President, in consultation with the CHED Chairperson and other Board members. Their term is two (2) years from appointment.
The Board meets regularly every three (3) months. A quorum is a majority of all members holding office at the time, but the CHED Chairperson or BulSU President (Chairperson/President) must be present. If the CHED Chairperson cannot attend, a designated CHED Commissioner attends with full rights as a regular member. During the meeting, the BulSU President (as Vice Chairperson) presides unless the CHED Chairperson designates a CHED Commissioner as regular Chairperson/presiding officer.
The President serves full-time with a term of four (4) years and may be reappointed to another term. The President is appointed by the Board based on guidelines/qualifications/standards set by the Board, upon recommendation of a duly constituted search committee. The search committee must be constituted within six (6) months before the term ends to ensure appointment/reappointment before expiration.
The Board designates an OIC pending the appointment of a new President. The OIC serves only during the unexpired portion of the term.
The Board approves curricula, instructional programs, and student discipline rules drafted by the Administrative and Academic Councils. The Academic Council formulates academic policies, including reviewing/recommending curricular offerings and rules on student discipline, subject to Board approval.
The Board fixes tuition fees and other school charges after due consultation. Funds from fees/charges, government subsidies, and other income (including interests) are retained by the University and must be used exclusively for BulSU’s mandate. Income cannot be used for payment of allowances and benefits not authorized by law. Fiduciary fees must be disbursed for their specific purpose.
The Board may authorize an external management audit financed by CHED, subject to COA rules. The audit can lead to institute reforms, including academic and structural changes, based on audit results and recommendations.
It provides that BulSU enjoys academic freedom and institutional autonomy pursuant to paragraph 2, Section 5, Article XIV of the Constitution.
Importation of specified educational-purpose books/publications/equipment/instruments made by BulSU upon CHED certification is exempt from customs duties under RA 10863. Grants, bequests, endowments, donations, and contributions used actually, directly, and exclusively for educational purposes are exempt from donor’s tax and are allowable deductions from gross income for computing taxable income under the NIRC.
Within 120 days after approval: submit a five-year development plan with program budget to CHED, set up organizational/admin/academic structure including key officials appointment, and undergo management audit in coordination with CHED. Within 90 days from effectivity: Board formulates IRR in consultation with CHED. Effectivity: 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.