Conversion of Central Luzon Polytechnic College to NEUST

Law Summary

University’s Primary Functions

Provide advanced instruction and professional training in arts, science, technology, education, and related fields.
Undertake research and extension services.
Provide progressive leadership in education and related fields.

Academic Programs and Jurisdiction Over High School

Offer undergraduate, graduate, and short-term technical courses based on specialization and capacity.
Courses are designed to meet provincial and regional needs.
The existing high school transfers under the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) but may remain on campus until current students finish.
The university may operate a laboratory school if it has a college of education.

Corporate Powers and Administration

The university has general corporate powers per the Corporation Law.
Administration and exercise of corporate powers are exclusively vested in the Board of Regents.

Composition and Appointment of the Board of Regents

Board of Regents includes: Chairman of CHED (chairman), university president (vice chairman), congressional committee chairmen on education, regional directors of NEDA and DOST, president of faculty association, student council president or elected student representative, alumni president, and two prominent private citizens.
Private citizens serve a two-year term; others serve by virtue of their office or elected term.
Board appointments follow a search committee recommendation.
University president entitled to retirement benefits under existing laws.

Policy Promulgation and Implementation

The Board promulgates policies aligned with the Philippine Constitution’s education provisions and CHED policies under R.A. 7722.

Powers and Duties of the Board of Regents

Enact rules and regulations to fulfill university purposes.
Receive and appropriate funds for university operations.
Accept and manage donations and legacies.
Fix tuition and other school charges after consultations.
Retain all income generated, except fiduciary fees strictly used for intended purposes.
Adopt socialized tuition schemes to assist poor but deserving students.
Authorize construction, repair, purchase of assets, exempt from taxes and duties.
Appoint officials and staff, fix salaries, grant leaves, and remove personnel for cause with due process.
Approve curricula, admission, graduation policies, award honorary degrees, and certificates.
Absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions within the province to promote equal access to education.
Establish research and extension centers, chairs, and provide fellowships and scholarships.
Delegate powers to university officials to expedite administration.
Authorize external management audits and institute reforms.
Collaborate with other state universities for efficiency and competitiveness.
Enter business joint ventures for university development.
Develop consortia and linkages locally and internationally.
Promote innovative knowledge transmission methods for greater access.
Establish participative decision-making and transparency.
Privatize nonacademic services if advantageous.
Extend university president’s term beyond retirement age up to 70 if unanimously recommended.

Board Meetings and Quorum

Convene at least quarterly; special meetings upon three days’ notice.
Quorum requires majority including CHED Chairman or designated commissioner and university president.
Board members receive no salary but are entitled to reimbursements for official expenses.

University Administration and Leadership

President of the University renders full-time service, appointed for a four-year term by the Board upon search committee recommendation.
Eligible for one reappointment.
Vice President for academic affairs appointed by the Board.
Officer-in-charge appointed in case of vacancy until new appointment.

Administrative Council

Composed of the president, vice presidents, deans, directors, and officials of equal rank.
Reviews and recommends policies on administration and development for Board action.

Academic Council

Composed of the president and all instructional staff of at least assistant professor rank.
Reviews and recommends curricula, rules of discipline, admission, and graduation requirements subject to Board approval.

Secretary and Treasurer

Board appoints a secretary who keeps records and notifies members of meetings.
The Treasurer of the Philippines serves as ex officio university treasurer.

Faculty Appointment and Religious Neutrality

Faculty appointment free from religious inquiry or affiliation.
Faculty prohibited from teaching for or against any church or religious sect.

Scholarship and Non-Discrimination

Scholarship and affirmative action programs for poor but deserving students.
No student admission discrimination on sex, religion, culture, or ethnic origin.

Academic Freedom

The university enjoys academic freedom.

Reporting Requirements

Board must submit an annual detailed report to Congress on progress, conditions, and needs.

Government Support and Employee Detail

National bureau heads can loan equipment and detail employees to the university upon request, counting service time as regular duty.

Affiliation and Integration of Schools

University may integrate existing national schools in the province with transfer of funds, assets, liabilities.

Transfer of Assets and Personnel

All assets, liabilities, records, personnel of Central Luzon Polytechnic College transferred to the university.
Positions and tenure rights maintained until changed by the Board.
Government lands occupied declared university property, reverting to the province if university ceases.

Appropriations and Funding

Initial funds charged to Central Luzon Polytechnic College’s appropriations except for high school operations.
Subsequent funds included in the General Appropriations Act.

Transitional Requirements within 120 Days

Submit a five-year development plan with budget to CHED and DBM.
Undergo a management audit.
Establish organizational, administrative, academic structures, and appoint key officials.
Establish at least four degree-granting units including arts and sciences and graduate-level units.

Faculty Appointment Exemption from Civil Service Exam

Faculty of tertiary level exempt from civil service examination for appointment.
Board may impose professional exams to maintain academic standards.

Integration with Higher Education Modernization Act

Provisions of R.A. 8292 (Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997) form integral part of this Act.

General Provisions on Powers and Functions

All powers, functions, privileges, responsibilities, and limitations applicable to state universities under existing laws are granted or imposed upon the university.

Repeal of Conflicting Laws

Contradictory laws, decrees, orders, rules are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Effectivity

The Act takes effect upon approval and lapsed into law accordingly.