QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11695)
The law is titled the “Revised Tarlac State University Charter.” TSU’s general mandate is to primarily provide advance instruction and professional training in literature, philosophy, science and technology, arts, and other relevant fields; and to undertake research and extension services and provide progressive leadership in its areas of specialization.
TSU may offer undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate courses within its competency and specialization, including fields of science and technology, medicine and allied medical professions, law, business, arts and humanities, education, sports and human kinetics, public administration, public works, human services, social work, and other relevant fields.
The reasonably-sized laboratory school for early childhood, primary, junior and senior high school, and special education shall continue to operate under the supervision of the TSU College of Education to serve the in-campus requirements of TSU students.
The Board is chaired by the Chairperson of CHED and co-chaired by the President of TSU. Members include: Senate Committee Chair on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education; House Committee Chair on Higher and Technical Education; NEDA Regional Director; DOST Regional Director; presidents of faculty, student councils, and alumni federations (as applicable to TSU); representative of nonteaching personnel; and two prominent private-sector citizens.
They are appointed by the Board from a list of at least five (5) qualified persons in the Province of Tarlac recommended by a search committee constituted by the TSU President, in consultation with CHED Chairperson and other Board members. Their term is two (2) years from date of appointment.
The presidents of the faculty associations, student councils, alumni associations, and the representative of nonteaching personnel are members whose terms are coterminous with their terms of office under their respective constitutions and bylaws.
Key powers include: promulgating policies consistent with constitutional and CHED/TESDA thrusts; approving curricula and student discipline rules; appointing top officials and faculty upon recommendation of the President; fixing/adjusting salaries (subject to compensation laws) and removing for cause with due process; fixing tuition and school charges and managing income as special trust funds; adopting socialized tuition; establishing chairs/fellowships/scholarships; receiving and appropriating sums for TSU; setting admissions/graduation policies; awarding honorary degrees/certificates; establishing research/extension centers; collaborating with institutions; auditing and instituting reforms; and authorizing modernization, linkages, privatization of certain nonacademic services, and construction/repair and property acquisition.
Tuition fees and necessary school charges are treated as “special trust funds,” must be deposited in any authorized government depository bank, and the interests accrue to the same funds for TSU use.
Income generated by the University from tuition and other charges, operation of auxiliary services, and land grants is retained by TSU and may be disbursed by the Board for instruction, research, extension, or other TSU programs/projects, with fiduciary fees used for the specific purposes they were collected for. If TSU cannot pursue appropriated projects due to reasons beyond control, the Board may authorize use of funds for reasonable necessary and urgent purposes to meet TSU objectives.
The Board convenes regularly once every three (3) months. Special meetings may be called when necessary, with at least three (3) days written notice to members. Quorum is majority of all Board members holding office at the time of the meeting, and the CHED Chairperson or the President of TSU must be present.
If the CHED Chairperson cannot attend, a CHED Commissioner duly designated by the CHED Chairperson may attend with all rights and responsibilities of a regular member. During the meeting, the TSU President, as Vice Chairperson, acts as the presiding officer; however, CHED Chairperson may authorize the Commissioner as regular Chairperson, in which case the Commissioner acts as presiding officer.
The President is appointed by the Board subject to guidelines on qualifications and standards based on recommendation of a search committee. The term is four (4) years and the President may be reappointed to another term; within six months before expiration, the Board constitutes the Search Committee. The term extension beyond retirement age is allowed up to age seventy (70) if performance is rated outstanding and the search committee makes a unanimous recommendation.
Upon vacancy due to death, compulsory retirement, resignation, removal for cause, or incapacity, the Board designates an Officer-in-Charge pending appointment of a new President. The Officer-in-Charge serves only during the unexpired portion of the term.
Administrative Council: chaired by the TSU President with vice presidents, deans, directors and other officials of equal rank; it reviews and recommends policies governing administration, management, and development planning. Academic Council: chaired by the TSU President with all academic staff rank at least assistant; it reviews and recommends curricular offerings and student discipline rules (subject to Board approval), sets requirements for admission and graduation and confers degrees subject to Board review/approval, and exercises disciplinary power over students subject to Board-approved rules.
TSU enjoys academic freedom and institutional autonomy pursuant to Paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution.
No political belief, gender preference, cultural/community affiliation, ethnic origin, or religious opinion/affiliation shall be a matter of inquiry in faculty appointment, subject to Board-set guidelines, qualifications, and standards. Also, no faculty member may teach for or against any particular church or religious sect.