Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1427)
The main purpose of the Western Mindanao State University is to provide leadership in professional and technical instruction in the arts, sciences, and technology in line with national and regional development goals, offering undergraduate and graduate courses and promoting research for the socio-economic and cultural development of the Western Mindanao region.
The Zamboanga State College is converted into the Western Mindanao State University by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1427, effective immediately upon issuance on June 10, 1978.
The University comprises academic departments and institutes reorganized as the Graduate School, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Forestry, College of Social Work, College of Education, College of Nursing, College of Engineering and Technology, and external units. Future organization may include a College of Agriculture, College of Medicine, and external units at Zamboanga del Sur and Basilan Province.
The Board of Regents governs the University and consists of seven members: three regular members appointed by the President of the Philippines (including the University Alumni Association President and a cultural minority educator), and four ex-officio members – the Secretary of Education and Culture (Chairman), the Regional Commissioner for Region IX, the Executive Director of NEDA Region IX, and the University President.
The Board of Regents has the power to fix meeting schedules, recommend the University President's appointment, set compensation, appropriate funds, establish colleges and schools, receive donations, appoint University personnel, approve courses and fees, provide scholarships and fellowships, establish academic chairs, confer honorary degrees, and file an annual progress report to the President of the Philippines.
The President of the Philippines appoints the University President for a six-year term, subject to reappointment, but the term cannot extend beyond the age of 65.
The University Council, composed of the University President and faculty members with professorial ranks, prescribes courses of study and rules of discipline (subject to Board approval), fixes admission and graduation requirements, and has disciplinary power over students.
Yes, academic freedom is guaranteed, with a prohibition on requiring religious tests or inculcating sectarian tenets; violations may lead to dismissal by the Board of Regents.
They are exempt from civil service examinations or regulations as prerequisites for appointment but are entitled to tenure, promotion, leaves, retirement benefits, and other privileges similar to government service.
The University's funds come from the transferred appropriations of the Zamboanga State College, included in the National Government’s Annual Budget as recommended by the Board of Regents, and all public works appropriations originally for the College are also transferred and allotted to the University.