Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11088)
The Sorsogon State College (SSC) in the Province of Sorsogon is converted into a state university named Sorsogon State University.
The main campus of the Sorsogon State University shall be in Sorsogon City.
The University shall provide advance and higher professional, technical, and special instructions mainly in education and technology, engineering and architecture, public administration and management, accountancy, economics and finance, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, arts and sciences, maritime education, peace and security courses, and other related fields.
The Board of Regents is chaired by the CHED Chairperson and co-chaired by the University President. Members include the Chairpersons of relevant Senate and House Committees on Education, Regional Directors of NEDA, DOST, and DA, Presidents of the Federation of Faculty Associations, Student Councils, Alumni Associations, and two prominent citizens from the Province of Sorsogon.
They serve for two years and are appointed by the Board from at least five qualified persons recommended by a search committee constituted by the University President in consultation with the CHED Chairperson and Board members.
The Board can promulgate education policies, approve curricula, appoint University officials, fix salaries and tuition fees, receive and appropriate funds, set admission and graduation policies, establish professorial chairs, award honorary degrees, oversee research centers, and more, including delegating powers to expedite administration.
The Board shall convene regularly once every quarter and may hold up to two special meetings annually. A quorum requires a majority of members, and either the CHED Chairperson or the University President must be present.
The University President is appointed by the Board for a four-year term, renewable for another term. The incumbent SSC President may serve as the first University President if qualified.
Faculty appointments must not be influenced by political beliefs, gender preference, cultural or community affiliation, ethnic origin, or religious opinion. Faculty must not preach or recruit for any religious sect.
The fees and other income constitute a special trust fund to be deposited in a government depository bank. The funds and accrued interest are used solely for University programs and projects. Fiduciary fees must be disbursed for their specific purposes.
All assets, liabilities, personnel, and records are transferred to the University. Faculty and personnel positions and security of tenure are preserved, and government-owned land occupied by the SSC will be titled under the University.
The University shall provide scholarships and affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving students. Admission cannot be denied on the basis of sex, religion, political, cultural or community affiliation, or ethnic origin.
The conversion becomes effective only when the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) determines and declares that the institution has met the requirements for university status under CHED Memorandum Order No. 46, series of 2012.
The Administrative Council reviews and recommends policies on administration and planning, while the Academic Council reviews and recommends curricular offerings, rules of discipline, student admission and graduation requirements, and has disciplinary power over students.
Importation of economic, technical, and cultural books and publications for purposes aligned with the University's academic competence is exempt from customs duties upon certification by CHED and TESDA, in accordance with Republic Act No. 10863.