QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 10596)
Republic Act No. 10596 converts the Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology (MINSCAT) into a state university to be known as the Mindoro State University (MinSU).
The main campus is located in the Municipality of Victoria, Province of Oriental Mindoro.
The law includes: (1) the Polytechnic College of Calapan in Calapan City, and (2) the Bongabong College of Fisheries in the Municipality of Bongabong.
The University must primarily provide advanced education, higher technological, professional instruction and training in specified fields (including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, environmental studies, IT, arts and sciences, education, business and management, health sciences), and undertake research and extension services in support of socioeconomic development of Oriental Mindoro, providing leadership in its areas of specialization.
It provides that the University enjoys academic freedom and institutional autonomy pursuant to paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution.
It may offer undergraduate and graduate courses in its areas of specialization (agriculture/forestry, fishery/environmental studies, IT, arts/sciences, education, business/management, health sciences, and related fields), based on capabilities and what the Board deems necessary.
The high school is transferred to the jurisdiction and supervision of the Department of Education (DepED). It may remain and operate within the University campus until currently enrolled students complete high school.
The University is governed by the Board of Regents; both the administration of the University and the exercise of its corporate powers are vested exclusively in the Board of Regents and the President.
Examples: (1) Chairperson of CHED (Chairperson), (2) President of the University (Vice Chairperson), (3) Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, (4) Chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, (5) Regional Director of NEDA, (6) Regional Director of DOST, (7) Regional Director of DA, (8) Presidents of faculty/student/alumni federations, and (9) two prominent private-sector citizens.
They are appointed by the Board from a list of at least five qualified persons in Oriental Mindoro recommended by a search committee constituted by the University President, in consultation with the CHED Chairperson and other Board members. Their term is two (2) years from date of appointment.
The Board meets regularly once every three (3) months. Special meetings may be called with three (3) days prior written notice, up to two (2) within the same period. Quorum is a majority of all members holding office at the time, provided the CHED Chairperson or the President of the University is present; if the CHED Chairperson is absent, the CHED Chairperson designates a CHED Commissioner as representative.
The President is appointed by the Board for a term of four (4) years, eligible for reappointment for another term. Appointment is subject to the Board’s guidelines, qualifications, and standards upon recommendation of a duly constituted search committee. The incumbent MINSCAT President serves as the first President to ensure transition.
No political beliefs, gender preference, cultural or community affiliation, ethnic origin, or religious opinion/affiliation may be a matter of inquiry in appointing faculty, subject to Board guidelines and qualifications. Faculty cannot be required to teach for or against any particular church or religious sect.
The University must provide a scholarship program and other affirmative action programs for poor but deserving students who qualify. No student shall be denied admission due to sex, religion, cultural/community affiliation, or ethnic origin.
All assets (real and personal), personnel, and records of MINSCAT, as well as liabilities/obligations, are transferred to the University. Positions, rights, and security of tenure of faculty and personnel under existing laws prior to conversion are respected.
They are declared property of the University and shall be titled under the University’s name. If the University ceases to exist/gets abolished or the land is no longer needed, the parcels revert to the Province of Oriental Mindoro.
Conversion becomes effective only upon CHED determination and declaration (based on a panel of experts’ recommendation) that the institution has complied with the requirements for university status. The law specifies operational requirements such as accreditation levels, faculty-to-student ratio, adequate library/labs, research output, linkages/outreach, and relevant academic policies.
The institution retains its prior status unless it complies with the requirements within a period not exceeding January 1, 2016.
Importation of eligible educational/economic/technical/cultural books or publications upon CHED certification is exempt from customs duties. Donations to the University are exempt from the donor’s tax and are allowable deductions from gross income under the NIRC.