QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 1387)
RA 1387 provides for the establishment of the University of Mindanao in Dansalan City (now Marawi City) and authorizes the appropriation of funds for its establishment.
The University primarily gives professional and technical training, and provides advanced instruction in literature, philosophy, the sciences, and the arts.
No student shall be denied admission by reason of age, sex, nationality, religious belief, or political affiliation (Sec. 3).
The Board of Regents includes: the Secretary of Education (ex officio chairman), the Chairman of the Committee on Education of the Senate, the Chairman of the Committee on Education of the House of Representatives, the President of the University, the Director of Public Schools, and seven additional members appointed by the President of the Philippines with consent of the Commission on Appointments.
After enough graduates are produced, at least four of the additional members must be selected from among the alumni, upon recommendation of the Alumni Association (Sec. 4, proviso).
No person in the employ of the University or in any other educational institution in any capacity (e.g., dean, professor, instructor, lecturer, etc.) is eligible for membership in the Board (Sec. 4).
Of the seven initially appointed additional members, one serves for 1 year, one for 2, one for 3, one for 4, one for 5, one for 6, and one for 7 years. Thereafter, successors hold office for 7 years and until their successors are appointed (Sec. 4).
Members serve without compensation, but are reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in attending meetings or on other official business authorized by Board resolution (Sec. 4).
The University has the general powers set out in Section 13 of Act No. 1459. Administration and the exercise of corporate powers are vested exclusively in the Board of Regents, and in the President to the extent authorized by the Board (Sec. 5).
The Board may establish: Colleges of Liberal Arts, College of Law, College of Social and Political Science, College of Medicine and Surgery, College of Pharmacy, College of Dentistry, College of Veterinary Science, College of Engineering, College of Agriculture, College of Education, College of Forestry, College of Nursing, School of Fine Arts, Conservatory of Music, School of Surveying, and other colleges and schools it may deem necessary (Sec. 6(b)).
Honors may be conferred only in recognition of learning, statesmanship, or eminence in literature, science, or art, and such degrees shall not be conferred in consideration of the payment of money or other valuable consideration (Sec. 6(c)).
The Council (President of the University and all instructors with ranks of professor/associate professor/assistant professor) has the power to recommend students or others to be recipients of degrees. It also has disciplinary power over students through its President or committees within limits set by rules of discipline approved by the Board of Regents (Sec. 9).
No religious test shall be applied in appointing professors or other instructors of the University, and instructors’ religious opinions or affiliations shall not be made a matter of examination or inquiry (Sec. 10).
No instructor shall inculcate sectarian tenets in any teachings or attempt to influence students or attendants for or against any particular church or religious sect; violation is punishable by dismissal by the Board of Regents (Sec. 10).
No. Professors and other regular instructors are exempt, as such, from any civil service examination or regulation as a prerequisite to appointment (Sec. 11).
The Treasurer of the Philippines is ex officio treasurer of the University; all accounts and expenses are audited by the Auditor General, and all disbursements must be made in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the Auditor General (Sec. 13).
The board of visitors attends commencement exercises and makes visits to examine property, course of study, discipline, and state of finance, inspects books/accounts, and reports to Congress with recommendations. Members are the President of the Philippines, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Sec. 15).
Section 16 authorizes the appropriation of five hundred thousand pesos, to be expended at the discretion of the Board of Regents for establishing a college or colleges authorized by the Act, prioritizing those considered more urgent.