Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 7818)
Republic Act No. 7818 is an act converting the Palawan State College in the City of Puerto Princesa, Province of Palawan, into a state university to be known as the Palawan State 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 other relevant fields, including geology and oil exploration.
The University shall offer undergraduate and graduate courses in education, arts and sciences, and other degree courses as the board of regents may deem necessary. It may also offer short-term technical or vocational courses within its specialization areas.
The administration and exercise of corporate powers of the University are vested exclusively in the Board of Regents and the President of the University as authorized by the Board.
The Board is composed of the Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education as chairman; the President of the University as vice-chairman; the chairmen or representatives of the Senate and House education committees; representative of NEDA; presidents of the faculty association and supreme student council; and additional members such as presidents of the alumni and employees associations and education committee chairmen of local councils, when deemed necessary.
Ex officio members serve in their capacity; presidents of the faculty association and student council serve for one year; the presidents of alumni and employees associations, and local education committee chairmen serve terms of four or two years as determined.
The Board may enact rules and regulations, import duty-free educational materials, receive and manage donations, fix tuition and fees, authorize construction and purchases exempt from taxes, confirm university appointments, approve curricula and confer degrees, establish branches within Palawan, and provide fellowships and scholarships.
A quorum is a majority of all members, provided that either the CHE chairman or the University president is present. The Board meets regularly once every two months, and the chairman may call special meetings.
The University President is appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the Board’s recommendation and serves a six-year term without reappointment unless retired, removed for cause, or incapacitated.
The Board may designate an officer-in-charge pending appointment of a successor, who will serve the unexpired term not exceeding six years subject to existing provisions.
The University enjoys academic freedom. No religious opinion or affiliation shall be inquired into in faculty appointments and no member shall teach for or against any church. No student shall be denied admission based on sex, nationality, religion, or political affiliation.
The Board must file a detailed annual report on the University's progress and needs with the Office of the President, Commission on Higher Education, and Congress. All accounts and expenses are audited by the Commission on Audit or its authorized representative.
All assets, records, personnel, liabilities, and obligations of Palawan State College are transferred to the University. Personnel retain their positions, rights, and security of tenure, and government-owned lands occupied by the college are declared property of the University.
The University may establish branches within Palawan when necessary, especially where no similar educational programs exist, to promote equal access to education as mandated by the Constitution.