Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 7910)
Republic Act No. 7910 converts the Leyte State College in the City of Tacloban into a state university to be known as the Leyte Normal University.
The university shall primarily provide higher professional and special instructions for special purposes, promote research and extension services, advanced studies, and progressive leadership in education and related fields.
The University can offer undergraduate and graduate courses in education and other related degree courses as deemed necessary by the Board of Regents.
The existing high school will be transferred to the Commission on Higher Education's supervision but may remain on campus until relocated or students are accommodated elsewhere. The University may also operate a laboratory school if it offers teacher training programs.
The administration and corporate powers are vested exclusively in the Board of Regents and the President of the University as authorized by the Board.
The Board includes the chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (chairman), the University president (vice-chairman), chairpersons of Education Committees of Senate and House or their representatives, a NEDA representative, the faculty president, supreme student council president, and optionally the alumni president and two prominent citizens.
They can enact necessary rules, import duty-free educational materials, receive donations exempt from taxes, set tuition and fees, authorize construction and purchases exempt from customs duties, confirm appointments, approve curricula, confer degrees, and establish chairs and scholarships.
The Board meets regularly once every two months. A quorum is a majority of members present that must include either the chairperson of CHED or the University president acting as presiding officer.
The University president holds office for six years without reappointment unless reaching retirement age, removed for cause, or incapacitated. Vacancies can be filled temporarily by an officer-in-charge designated by the Board.
No religious opinion or affiliation shall be inquired about in faculty appointments, and faculty members shall not teach for or against any particular religious sect.
No student shall be denied admission due to sex, nationality, religion, or political affiliation.
Section 18 of the Act explicitly states that the University shall enjoy academic freedom.
All assets, personnel, records, liabilities, and obligations of Leyte State College are transferred to the University, with positions and security of tenure retained by personnel.
The Commission on Audit or its authorized representative audits the University's accounts and expenses.
Initial funding comes from Leyte State College's current appropriations, then yearly funding is included in the General Appropriations Act. University-generated income, including fees and government subsidies, become special trust funds for specific uses.