QuestionsQuestions (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1427)
It converts the Zamboanga State College into the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), with the university serving the Western Mindanao region as provided in the decree.
The presently existing academic departments and institutes, administrative and supportive units, and external units of the Zamboanga State College are included, with subsequent reorganization and renaming of academic departments and institutes as specified.
The Graduate Department becomes the Graduate School. The Institute of Arts and Sciences is reorganized and renamed into the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Forestry, and College of Social Work.
It becomes the College of Education.
It authorizes that a College of Agriculture and a College of Medicine may be organized, and also provides for external units at Zamboanga del Sur and Basilan Province; it also allows other new colleges, departments, or units to later be organized to become part of the university.
To provide leadership in professional and technical instruction in arts, sciences, and technology aligned with national and regional development goals; it offers undergraduate and graduate courses and promotes research for advancement of knowledge and socio-economic/cultural development of the region.
It states that the university has the general powers as set forth in Section Thirteen of Act No. 1459, as amended.
Exercise of corporate powers is vested exclusively in the Board of Regents and the University President, but only insofar as authorized by the Board.
It may acquire public lands and real estate for expansion and/or beneficial use, and it may purchase motor vehicles, conveyances, and other necessary facilities and equipment for university operations.
It consists of seven members: three regular members and four ex-officio members.
Secretary of Education and Culture (as Chairman), Regional Commissioner for Region IX, Executive Director of the NEDA for Region IX, and the President of the University.
They must be Filipino citizens and residents of the Philippines. Among them, one is the President of the University Alumni Association and two come from the private sector, appointed by the President of the Philippines, with one being a well-known educator belonging to a cultural minority in the region.
Regular members serve for four years. For vacancies, the President of the Philippines appoints a replacement upon recommendation of the Board of Regents to serve only for the unexpired term.
Regular members receive a per diem of One Hundred Pesos for every meeting actually attended, but in no case may the total amount exceed Two Hundred Pesos for any one month; all members may be reimbursed for actual but necessary expenses incurred in attendance or official business authorized by Board resolution.
A quorum consists of a majority of all the members holding office at the time the meeting is called.
The Board recommends the University President for appointment by the President of the Philippines (serving six years subject to reappointment with the term not extending beyond age 65). It also fixes the President’s compensation subject to applicable laws and recommends appointments of vice presidents, directors, deans, and other employees, sets compensation and conditions subject to budget/compensation laws, grants leave, and removes personnel for cause after investigation and hearing.