QuestionsQuestions (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1778)
The decree merged: (1) Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State College at Bacnotan, La Union; (2) Southern Ilocos Polytechnic State College at Agoo, La Union; and (3) the La Union School of Arts and Trades and La Union Community College, both at San Fernando, La Union. It also integrated the Sapilang Elementary School located inside the Bacnotan campus into the State University.
Section 2 provides that the present faculty and all other personnel of the merged institutions are transferred to the University.
Section 3 states that the general administration of all assets (fixed and movable), records, and properties of the merged institutions shall be transferred to the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University.
Under Section 4, it must provide advanced instruction in specified fields (arts, agriculture, fishery, engineering, natural sciences, and other technological/professional fields), promote research, and engage in extension work.
Section 5: The Board consists of the Minister of Education and Culture (Chairman), the President of the University (Vice-Chairman), the Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority, and four prominent citizens appointed by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Minister of Education and Culture.
Section 6: A majority of all Board members holding office at the time of a meeting constitutes a quorum, and the Minister of Education and Culture (or his duly appointed representative) is considered in determining quorum.
Section 7: Board members do not receive compensation but are reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses (on a commutable basis) incurred in attending meetings or other authorized official business.
Section 8 lists among others: enacting rules for governance; receiving/appropriating funds; importing duty-free commodities for educational purposes; receiving in trust gifts/donations for University benefit (with tax exemptions for donations); approving curricula and discipline rules from the Academic Council; conferring degrees and honorary degrees; appointing/confirming officials and employees; establishing chairs and scholarships; fixing tuition/charges as special trust fund; authorizing construction/repair and acquisitions; and acquiring lands needed by the University.
Section 5 provides initial staggered terms: one regent for two years, one for three years, and two for four years. Thereafter, appointees hold office for a four-year term. In case of permanent vacancy, the appointee serves only the unexpired term.
Section 9: The President is appointed by the President of the Philippines for a term of six (6) years upon recommendation of the Minister of Education and Culture after consultation with Board members.
Section 10: The seat of administration is at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State College at Bacnotan, La Union.
Section 13 creates an Administrative Council chaired by the University President with Vice-Presidents and deans as members; it implements Board-promulgated policies on personnel, financial management, and development planning. Section 14 creates an Academic Council chaired by the University President with all professors as members; it prescribes curricula and discipline rules subject to Board approval, sets admissions/graduation requirements subject to Board review, recommends degree recipients, and exercises disciplinary power within Board-approved limits.
Section 15: Faculty members are exempt from civil service examination or regulations as a requisite to appointment.
Section 15: No religious test shall be applied and religious opinions/affiliations cannot be grounds for inquiry in faculty appointments, but no faculty member may teach for or against any particular church or religious sect or advocate any ideology contrary to Filipino culture and traditions.
Section 17: No student shall be denied admission due to age, sex, religion, or political affiliation. The President, after consultation with the Academic Council, may issue rules on admission, retention, and non-readmission, but must not contradict the nondiscrimination provision.
Section 8(h): The Board may fix tuition and other charges; such fees and charges and their income constitute a special trust fund for the exclusive use of the University, notwithstanding contrary provisions of existing laws.
Section 18: The Treasurer of the Philippines is the ex-officio Treasurer of the University, and all accounts and expenses are audited by the Commission on Audit through its duly authorized representative.
Section 23 authorizes an additional appropriation of P20,000,000.00. Section 25 provides that the decree takes effect the school year 1981–82.
Section 24: Decrees/acts creating the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State College and the Southern Ilocos Polytechnic State College (including PD 1617 and PD 1437), the law establishing the La Union School of Arts and Trades, and any other laws/acts/decrees/executive orders contrary to or inconsistent with PD No. 1778 are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.