QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11399)
Republic Act No. 11399, entitled an Act converting the Camarines Norte State College (CNSC) into a state university known as the University of Camarines Norte (UCN), and appropriating funds for it.
Camarines Norte State College (CNSC) is converted into the University of Camarines Norte (UCN).
The main campus is in Daet, Camarines Norte. Regular campuses are to be established in AbaAo, Mercedes, Labo, Jose Panganiban, Etienza, and Sta. Elena, all in Camarines Norte.
It primarily provides advance education, higher technological and professional vocational instruction and training in specified fields (e.g., arts and sciences, education, agriculture/fisheries, industrial technology/engineering, IT, business/accountancy, tourism/hospitality, environmental management, forestry, criminology, maritime, medical/health sciences, legal education, nontraditional courses), and undertakes research, extension, and production in support of provincial/Regional development.
It shall offer undergraduate and graduate courses in the listed fields, including technical-vocational programs and specializations, and may offer other programs as the Board of Regents deems necessary.
Administration and corporate powers are vested exclusively in the Board of Regents and the President of the University.
The Board of Regents is chaired and co-chaired by the Chairperson of CHED and the President of the University, respectively, and includes designated congressional and agency representatives (e.g., Senate education committee chair, House higher/technical education committee chair, NEDA, DA, DOST regional directors), plus leaders from faculty/student/alumni federations, and two prominent private-sector citizens from the province.
The University President, in consultation with the CHED chairperson and other Board members, recommends from a list of at least five (5) qualified persons, based on normal standards and qualifications; the Board then appoints the two citizens. They serve for a term of two (2) years from appointment.
The Board may fix and adjust tuition and other fees after due consultation. Such fees and charges, including government subsidies and other income generated, constitute special trust funds deposited in authorized government depository banks; fiduciary fees must be disbursed only for their specific collected purposes. Income generated may be retained and disbursed for university programs, and if projects cannot be pursued, the Board may authorize use for reasonable purposes to attain university objectives.
The Board must adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and other school fees for access of poor but deserving students in accordance with RA 10931.
The Board regularly convenes once every three (3) months. Special meetings may be called as needed with written notice at least three (3) days prior. Quorum is a majority of all members holding office at the time, and the Chairperson of the Board or the President of the University must be present.
The President is appointed by the Board upon recommendation of a duly constituted search committee, serves full-time, and has a term of four (4) years with eligibility for reappointment for another term. To ensure transition, the incumbent President of the CNSC serves as the first President of the University.
The Board designates an Officer-in-Charge (OIC) pending appointment of a new President. The OIC serves only the unexpired portion of the term.
The conversion becomes effective only upon CHED’s determination and declaration (based on a panel of experts) that the institution complied with CHED requirements for university status under CHED Memorandum Order No. 46 s. 2012. The institution retains its prior status until it meets the requirements.
Within 120 days, it must: (a) submit a five-year development plan including program budget to CHED for recommendation to DBM; (b) undergo a management audit with CHED; and (c) set up organizational/administrative/academic structures, including appointment of key officials.
All assets, liabilities, personnel, and records of CNSC are transferred to the University, with respect to positions, rights, and security of tenure under existing laws. Incumbents remain in the same status until otherwise provided by the Board, and the University must include an upgrade/increase in the human resource component.
Parcels of government land occupied by the CNSC are declared property of the University and must be titled under its name. If the University ceases/abolished or parcels are no longer needed, the lands revert to the concerned LGU or to the Republic of the Philippines, as the case may be.
Importation of certain books/publications for specified purposes, certified by CHED, is exempt from customs duties under RA 10863. Donations/grants/bequests/endowments used directly and exclusively by the University are allowable deductions from the donor’s gross income under the NIRC.
Section 15 provides academic freedom and institutional autonomy pursuant to Article XIV, Section 5(2) of the Constitution.