Campuses and Program Expansion
- NSCA maintains and expands NOAC's expertise.
- Five new extension campuses/branches established in various barangays across Negros Occidental.
- Each campus has specialized focus areas, e.g., trade technical courses, mining, forestry, agro-fishery, marine sciences, aquaculture.
- The main campus continues its existing programs including graduate courses.
Educational Programs
- NSCA offers undergraduate, graduate degree programs, short-term technical or diploma courses, and vocational training.
- Fields include agricultural sciences and other relevant fields.
Advanced Instruction and Institutional Functions
- Provides advanced instruction and professional training in agriculture, science, technology, education.
- Emphasizes research, extension, leadership, and graduate programs, particularly in agriculture.
- Original mandate as primarily an agricultural institution retained.
- The existing high school is transferred to the Department of Education (DECS) but remains operating on campus until students graduate.
- May operate a laboratory school if it has a Department of Education.
Governance by Board of Trustees
- The Board of Trustees (Board) is the governing body.
- Composition includes CHED Chairman (Chairman), State College President (Vice Chairman), Congressional committee chairpersons, regional directors, federation presidents (faculty, students, alumni), and two prominent citizens from Negros Occidental.
- Citizens serve 2-year terms after selection by a committee.
- Board members serving federation roles have terms coterminous with those positions.
Board Policy and Authority
- Board must act in accordance with State education policies and laws including Republic Acts 7722 and 8292.
Specific Powers and Duties of the Board
- Enact rules and regulations necessary for the College.
- Approve and appropriate funds for operations.
- Accept and manage legacies, gifts, and donations with tax exemptions and donor benefits.
- Fix tuition fees and charges after stakeholder consultations.
- Manage special trust funds with generated income used for College programs.
- Socialized tuition schemes to increase accessibility for poor students.
- Authorize construction, purchase of equipment and facilities exempt from taxes and duties.
- Appoint officials and faculty, fix salaries subject to applicable laws.
- Approve curricula, institutional programs, and disciplinary rules.
- Set admission and graduation policies.
- Award honorary degrees and certificates.
- Establish new branches or absorb other tertiary institutions, coordinate with CHED and DBM.
- Establish research and extension centers.
- Establish faculty chairs, fellowships, and student scholarships.
- Delegate powers to President or officers as necessary.
- Authorize external management audits and reforms.
- Enter joint ventures for economic asset development.
- Promote modern, innovative educational modalities.
- Extend the State College president’s term beyond retirement age under specific conditions.
Board Meetings
- Convene at least quarterly.
- Special meetings may be called with proper notice.
- CHED Chairman representation rules for meetings.
College President
- Full-time president appointed by the Board upon Search Committee recommendation.
- Term of four years, extendible once for four additional years with conditions.
- Age limit for reappointment is 70 years.
- Vacancy procedures involving designation of officer-in-charge.
- Powers and duties aligned with heads of similar institutions.
- Salary comparable to presidents of similar colleges.
Administrative and Academic Councils
- Administrative Council: President, vice presidents, deans, directors to review and recommend policy.
- Academic Council: President, instructional staff (assistant professor or higher) to prescribe curricula, set admission/graduation policies, implement discipline.
- Board approval required for academic policies.
Board Secretary and Treasurer
- Board-appointed secretary keeps minutes and records, sends notices.
- Treasurer of the Philippines acts as ex officio treasurer of NSCA.
Religious Neutrality
- Religious opinions or affiliations are not grounds for faculty appointment.
- Faculty prohibited from teaching for or against any religious group.
Transition Provisions
- Incumbent NOAC superintendent, if qualified, becomes first NSCA president.
- Assets, personnel, records, liabilities from NOAC transferred to NSCA.
- Personnel rights and tenure protected.
Government Support
- National government agencies may loan equipment or detail employees to NSCA as needed.
- Time rendered counted as regular service.
Scholarship and Equal Access
- Scholarship and affirmative programs to assist poor but deserving students.
- No denial of admission based on sex, religion, culture, community, or ethnicity.
Academic Freedom
- NSCA enjoys academic freedom in its operation.
Reporting and Accountability
- Annual detailed report on NSCA progress and needs to Congress by specified deadline.
Affiliation and Integration of Schools
- May integrate national schools in Negros Occidental with alignment of assets and obligations.
Funding and Appropriations
- Initial funding added to NOAC budget; subsequent funding from General Appropriations Act.
Initial Organizational Requirements
- Within 120 days post-approval, NSCA to submit a five-year development plan.
- Undergo management audit.
- Establish organizational and academic structures.
- Establish at least four separate degree-granting units.
Faculty Appointment Exemption
- Tertiary faculty exempt from civil service exams unless the Board sets other professional requirements.
Governing Charter Provisions
- Republic Act No. 8292 applies as integral part of NSCA's charter.
Additional Powers and Compliance
- Other powers and responsibilities under existing laws apply to NSCA and its officials.
- Laws and regulations inconsistent with this Act are repealed or amended.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect upon approval.