QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 7665)
Republic Act No. 7665. It converted the Bulacan College of Arts and Trades into the Bulacan State University.
It primarily provides higher professional, technical, and special instructions for special purposes and promotes research and extension services, advanced studies, and progressive leadership in various fields (including agriculture, engineering, arts and sciences, law, medicine, public administration, and others).
It shall offer undergraduate and graduate courses in specified fields (e.g., education, agriculture, engineering, arts and sciences, commerce, law, medicine, public administration, technical and other degree courses). It may also offer short-term technical or vocational courses aligned with agro-industrial needs.
The high school is transferred under the supervision of the Department of Education. It may remain and operate within the university campus until it is transferred elsewhere or until its students are accommodated in other high schools. The university may also operate a laboratory high school if it offers a teacher training program.
RA 7665 states that the university’s administration and the exercise of its corporate powers are vested exclusively in the Board of Regents and the President of the University, insofar as authorized by the Board.
Includes: (1) the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports (or representative) as chairman; (2) the President of the University; (3) chair of the Senate Committee on Education (or voting representative); (4) chair of the House Committee on Education (or voting representative); (5) presidents of the faculty association and supreme student council; (6) the president of the alumni association; and (7) two prominent citizens from Bulacan chosen by the Board.
Ex officio members serve while holding their offices. Faculty, student (and alumni when deemed necessary) presidents serve during their respective terms of office. The two prominent citizens serve four years; succeeding appointees serve two years or until replacements are appointed and qualified.
Quorum consists of a majority of all members holding office at the time, provided the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports (as chairman) or the President (as presiding officer in the former’s absence) is among those present.
The Board convenes regularly once every two (2) months, and the chairman may call a special meeting whenever necessary.
Among others: enact rules and regulations; import duty-free essential materials/equipment (when not available locally); receive legacies/gifts/donations in trust (with conditions); fix tuition and other charges; authorize construction/repairs and purchases (tax/exemption rules for transactions); confirm certain appointments; approve curricula/programs and discipline rules; confer degrees and certificates; establish branches in Bulacan; and establish chairs and provide fellowships/scholarships.
Donations to the university are exempt from taxes and are considered deductible items from the donor’s income tax, but the Board’s authority to administer is subject to the donor’s limitations/directions. Additionally, the donation shall not be disposed, transferred, or sold.
The Board may fix tuition and necessary charges (matriculation, graduation, laboratory fees, etc.). Such fees and charges, including government subsidies and other income, constitute special trust funds to be deposited in an authorized government depository bank, with interest accruing to the same funds.
The President is elected by Board members and holds office for six years without reappointment unless retirement age, removal for cause, or incapacitation occurs. For continuity, the incumbent president of the college serves as President of the Bulacan State University in a hold-over capacity until a successor is elected within six months from approval of the Act.
Examples include: preserving academic integrity and implementing Board policies; providing leadership; submitting courses of study and academic programs/rules of discipline/degree awards as recommended; appointing officers/faculty/employees subject to Section 8; coordinating university activities and recommending actions; preparing the annual budget for Board approval; submitting annual reports; negotiating grants (subject to Board confirmation); and implementing a system for reviewing disciplinary appeals.
Section 18 guarantees that the university shall enjoy academic freedom. Section 17 states no student shall be denied admission due to sex, ethnic consideration, nationality, religion, or political affiliation.
Religious opinion or affiliation shall not be a matter of inquiry in faculty appointments. However, no faculty member may teach for or against any particular church or religious sect.
All assets (except those belonging to or used by the high school), records, and personnel are transferred to the university, subject to protection of positions and security of tenure of personnel under existing laws prior to absorption (not impaired). Government parcels of land occupied by the school become property of the university and must be titled under its name, but if the university ceases or the lands are no longer needed, they revert to the Province of Bulacan.