QuestionsQuestions (BIR REGULATIONS NO. 30-2002)
RA 11586 converts the Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT) in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur (including its satellite campus in Trento) into a state university to be known as the Agusan del Sur State University (ADSSU).
The main campus shall be in the Municipality of Bunawan, Province of Agusan del Sur.
To primarily provide advanced education, higher technological, professional and advanced instruction in specified fields (e.g., agriculture, agribusiness, science and technology, education, forestry, engineering, arts and sciences), and to undertake research, extension services, and production activities in support of regional development.
It may offer short-term technical-vocational courses, undergraduate and graduate programs within its areas of competency and specialization. It may operate a reasonably sized laboratory school only if it has a College of Education.
The Board of Regents and the President of the University, with administration and corporate powers vested exclusively in them.
The Board is chaired and co-chaired by the Chairperson of the CHED and the President of the University, respectively. Other members include: Senate Committee Chair on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education; House Committee Chair on Higher and Technical Education; Regional Director of NEDA; Regional Directors of DA and DOST; presidents of faculty/student/alumni federations; and two prominent private-sector citizens.
They are appointed by the Board from a list of at least five qualified persons in the province (Bunawan and Trento area) recommended by a Search Committee constituted by the President in consultation with CHED and other Board members. They serve a term of two years from appointment.
Examples include: promulgating policies aligned with constitutional and CHED/TESDA thrusts; approving curricula and instructional programs; appointing key university officials/faculty; setting tuition and school charges subject to consultations and forming special trust funds; adopting socialized tuition under RA 10931; establishing research/extension centers; delegating powers; and privatizing management of certain nonacademic services where advantageous.
The Board meets once every quarter; special meetings may be called with three days prior written notice (maximum of two special meetings within the year). Quorum is a majority of all members holding office at the time, but the Chairperson or the President must be present.
A duly designated CHED Commissioner representative has all rights and responsibilities of a regular member during the meeting.
The President is appointed by the Board, subject to Board guidelines, upon recommendation of a duly constituted Search Committee. Term is four years with eligibility for reappointment. For smooth transition, the incumbent ASSCAT President may serve as the first President of the new University if qualified.
Campus Directors serve full-time and are appointed/designated by the Board upon recommendation of the Search Committee and the President, subject to Board guidelines/qualifications. Upon effectivity, the incumbent Campus Directors of ASSCAT continue to serve as such.
No political belief, gender preference, cultural/community affiliation, ethnic origin, or religious opinion/affiliation shall be a matter of inquiry in appointment of faculty members, subject to Board-set standards. Also, no faculty member shall teach for or against any particular church or religious sect.
The University enjoys academic freedom and institutional autonomy pursuant to Paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution.
Even after conversion, the Act’s provisions become effective only upon CHED’s determination (based on a panel of experts) that the institution complied with requirements for university status under CHED Memorandum Order No. 46, series of 2012 (QA through outcomes-based and typology-based QA), allowing recommendation upon substantial compliance.
All assets, records, liabilities, and personnel of ASSCAT are transferred to the University. Faculty and personnel rights/security of tenure are respected; incumbents remain in the same status until otherwise provided by the Board. Government parcels of land occupied by ASSCAT become University property to be titled under its name, but revert to the concerned LGU or the Republic if the University ceases to exist or the land is no longer needed.
Importation of economic/technical/cultural books/publications for specified purposes is exempt from customs duties upon CHED certification (RA 10863). Donations/grants/bequests/endowments used actually, directly, and exclusively by the University are exempt from donor’s tax and deductible from gross income of the donor under the NIRC.
Within 120 days after approval, it must: (a) submit a five-year development plan including program budget to CHED for DBM recommendations; (b) undergo a management audit in coordination with CHED; and (c) set up organizational/administrative/academic structure, including appointment of key officials.