Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 2595)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 8448 is to separate the Iloilo State College of Fisheries extension in Sagay, Negros Occidental, from the Iloilo State College of Fisheries and convert it into an independent state college of science and technology to be known as the Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology.
The College is mandated to provide higher technological, professional, and vocational instruction and training in science, fishery, forestry, agriculture, engineering, and industrial fields, as well as short-term technical or vocational courses.
The existing high school shall be transferred to the jurisdiction and supervision of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports but may remain and operate within the campus until transferred to another location or until its students find accommodation in other public or private high schools. The College may operate a reasonably sized laboratory school if it has a college of education.
The Board consists of the CHED chairman as chairman; the College president as vice chairman; the chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Education as members; the NEDA Director-General as member; presidents of the faculty association, supreme student council, and alumni association; and at least two prominent citizens from Negros Occidental recommended by a search committee.
The Board has powers akin to a corporation's board of directors including enacting rules and regulations, appropriating funds, importing essential materials duty-free, receiving gifts and donations, fixing tuition and fees, authorizing construction, confirming appointments, fixing salaries, approving curricula, conferring degrees, and establishing branches.
The Board must meet regularly at least once every two months. A quorum requires a majority of all members holding office, provided that either the CHED chairman or the College president is present.
The president is appointed by the Board upon recommendation from a search committee and serves a term of three years, extendable once for another three years unless retired, removed for cause, or incapacitated.
Faculty members cannot be inquired about their religious beliefs for appointments and are prohibited from teaching for or against any religious sect. They are also barred from influencing students or others in the College toward ideologies that promote the overthrow of the government under penalty of dismissal.
No student shall be denied admission based on sex, nationality, religion, or political affiliation.
All assets, personnel, records, and liabilities are transferred to the Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology. The positions and tenure of personnel under existing laws are preserved and incumbents remain in status until otherwise provided by the Board.