Conversion of Rizal Technological Colleges into Rizal Technological University

Purpose, programs, and educational approach

The University primarily provides highly professional, scientific, technological, and special instructions in:
- engineering and technology education;
- business and entrepreneurial technology; and
- the arts and sciences.
The University promotes research, extension, and advance studies in its areas of specialization.
The University develops work-integrated learning through partnership with industry and involvement of students in civic activities.
Cooperative education is an important educational component for technical proficiency and development of human resource capital.
The existing high school continues to operate as a laboratory for the University’s teacher education programs, and its enrollment size is determined by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports.

Branches, consortia, and research property

The University may open new branches in consortium with other academic institutions only within the City of Mandaluyong and the Province of Rizal.
Partner institutions must provide funds for infrastructure and manpower needs of the branches established, in addition to funds appropriated under the University’s regular budget, until otherwise provided in the agreement.
Properties acquired for University use must be donated to and titled in the name of the University, unless legal impediments exist.
New branches must offer highly specialized courses in science and technology, based on detailed studies of local needs of business, industry, and government.
The University President appoints a committee to study feasibility of branch openings, including at least one representative from the business sector and at least one representative from the industry sector.
Within a reasonable time from approval, the University must fully develop and utilize its real property in the Municipality of Baras, Province of Rizal as a site for science and technological researches and agricultural technology projects.

Partnerships with local governments

The University may enter into agreements with local governments for support of any of its branches, provided such agreements do not impair the University’s autonomy.
Under such agreements, local governments provide funds to support University programs in addition to the University’s regular yearly national appropriation.
Local government-provided funds are dealt with under the same framework governing University funds under the Act’s provisions on the handling of University-generated and fiduciary funds.

Governing Board of Regents

The University is governed by a Board of Regents (the Board).
The Board is composed of:
- the Chairman of CHED as chairman;
- the University president as vice chairman;
- the chairmen of the Congressional Committees on Education and Culture;
- the regional director of NEDA where the main campus is located;
- the president of the federation of faculty associations;
- the president of the federation of student councils or the student representative elected by such federation;
- the president of the federation of alumni associations of the University; and
- two (2) prominent citizens who distinguished themselves in their professions or specialization, chosen from at least five (5) qualified persons in the city or province where the school is located, as recommended by a search committee constituted by the President in consultation with the CHED Chairman.
If there is no federation president or student representative elected by the federation, the University schedules one (1) week for campaign and election of a student representative.
Private sector representatives are appointed by the Board upon recommendation of the duly constituted search committee.
Faculty, alumni, and student councils in each branch organize into federations for purposes of Board membership.
The presidents of the faculty federation and alumni federation and the student councils federation sit on the Board until expiration of their terms in those capacities.
The two (2) prominent citizens serve a two (2)-year term.

Board powers, funds, and institutional governance

The Board enacts rules and regulations not contrary to law to carry out the University’s purposes and functions.
The Board receives and appropriates all sums provided for University support, in the Board’s discretion, to carry out University purposes and functions.
The Board may receive in trust legacies, gifts, and donations of real and personal properties, and administer and dispose of them when necessary for the University’s benefit, subject to donor limitations, directions, and instructions (if any).
Donations are exempt from all taxes and are considered deductible items from the donor’s income tax.
The Board fixes tuition fees and other school fees and charges, including (as examples) matriculation fees, graduation fees, and laboratory fees, after due consultations with involved sectors.
Tuition fees, other charges, government subsidies, and other income generated by the University constitute special trust funds deposited in any authorized government depository bank; all interest accrues to the same fund for University use.
Income generated by the University from tuition and other charges, as well as from auxiliary services and land grants, is retained by the University and may be disbursed for instruction, research, extension, or other University programs/projects, provided fiduciary fees are disbursed for the specific purposes collected.
If the University cannot pursue approved projects for reasons beyond its control, the Board may authorize use of allocated funds for reasonable purposes necessary and urgent to attain the University’s objectives and goals.
The Board must adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and school fees for greater access to poor but deserving students.
The Board authorizes construction or repair of buildings, machineries, equipment, and other facilities and purchases/acquisitions of real and personal properties, including supplies, materials, and equipment.
Purchases and other transactions entered into by the University through the Board are exempt from all taxes and duties.
The Board may grant leaves of absence to personnel under regulations it promulgates, despite provisions of existing law to the contrary.
The Board removes faculty and administrative officials and employees for cause in accordance with due process of law.
The Board approves curricula, institutional programs, and rules of discipline drawn by the administrative and academic councils.
The Board sets policies on admission and graduation of students.
The Board awards honorary degrees to persons for outstanding contribution in education, public service, arts, science and technology, or any field within academic competence; it also authorizes certificate awards for completion of non-degree and non-traditional courses.
The Board may absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions as branches/centers/stations within the City of Mandaluyong and the Province of Rizal, in coordination with CHED and in consultation with DBM, and offer needed programs/courses to promote equal access to educational opportunities mandated by the Constitution.
The Board establishes research and extension centers, chairs, and provides fellowships for qualified faculty and scholarships for deserving students.
The Board may delegate any powers and duties to the University President and/or other officials to expedite University administration.
The Board authorizes an external management audit of the institution financed by CHED, and it institutes reforms including academic and structural changes based on audit results and recommendations.
The Board may collaborate with other governing boards of state universities and colleges in the National Capital Region and Region IV to restructure those institutions for greater efficiency, relevance, productivity, and competitiveness, under CHED supervision and in consultation with DBM.
The Board may enter into joint ventures with business and industry for profitable development and management of the University’s economic assets, using proceeds for further development and strengthening.
The Board develops consortia and other linkages with local government units, institutions and agencies (public and private, local and foreign) to further University purposes.
The Board develops academic arrangements for capability building with appropriate institutions and agencies (public or private; local or foreign) and appoints experts/specialists as consultants or visiting/exchange professors, scholars, and researchers.
The Board establishes policy guidelines for participative decision-making and transparency within the University.
The Board may privatize, where most advantageous, management of non-academic services such as health, food, building, grounds or property maintenance, and similar activities.
The Board may extend the term of the University President beyond the retirement age but not later than age seventy (70) if performance is unanimously rated as outstanding and recommended unanimously by the search committee.
The Board convenes at least once every quarter, and the chairman may call special meetings whenever necessary, with written notice at least three (3) days prior.
A quorum exists as a majority of all members holding office, provided the Chairman of CHED (chairman of the Board) or the University president is present.
If the Chairman of CHED is absent, a duly designated CHED commissioner represents him with all rights and responsibilities of a regular member; the president acts as presiding officer during such meeting.
Board members serve without compensation and are reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in attendance or official business authorized by Board resolution.

University administration structure

University administration is vested in the president of the University, who renders full-time service.
The Board appoints the president upon recommendation of a duly constituted search committee.
The president holds a four (4)-year term and is eligible for reappointment for another term.
If the presidency becomes vacant due to death, resignation, removal for cause, or incapacity, the Board designates an officer-in-charge pending appointment of a new president.
The successor president holds office for the unexpired term in case of vacancy.
The president’s powers and duties include those usually pertaining to a similar university president in addition to Board-delegated functions and those specifically provided in the Act.
The president’s salary is subject to the existing compensation and position classification system and is comparable to salaries of presidents of similar educational institutions of like standing.
The incumbent college president, if qualified, serves the unexpired portion of the term as the first president of the new university, to ensure continuity.

Administrative and academic councils

An administrative council exists, chaired by the University president and composed of vice-presidents, deans, directors, and other officials of equal rank.
The administrative council reviews and recommends to the Board policies on administration, management, and development planning.
An academic council exists, chaired by the University president and composed of all instructional staff with rank not lower than assistant professor.
The academic council reviews and recommends curricular offerings and rules of discipline for Board action.
The academic council fixes requirements for admission, graduation, and conferment of degrees, subject to Board review and/or approval.
The administrative and academic councils may create standing committees from among their members.
The President may appoint an executive committee with the vice-presidents and other members from both councils to act on matters of common concern.

University secretary and treasurer

A secretary of the University exists, appointed by the Board upon recommendation of the President.
The secretary keeps records and exercises powers determined by the Board.
The secretary heads the University secretariat handling recording and reporting of proceedings of the Board, administrative and academic councils, and the University’s historical events.
The Treasurer of the Philippines serves as the ex officio treasurer of the University.

Faculty, students, and freedoms

Religious opinion or affiliation is not a matter of inquiry in appointing faculty members.
No faculty member teaches for or against any particular church or religious sect.
No student is denied admission by reason of sex, nationality, religion, political affiliation, physical handicap, culture, or economic situation.
The University enjoys academic freedom.

Reporting and accountability

On or before the fifteenth day of the third month after the opening of regular classes each year, the Board files a detailed report on the University’s progress, conditions, and needs with the Chairman of CHED and to both Houses of Congress.
All assets, fixed and movable, personnel, records, and all liabilities/obligations of the Rizal Technological Colleges are transferred to the University, with personnel security of tenure protected under existing laws prior to absorption.
The Commission on Audit or its duly authorized representative audits all accounts and expenses of the University.

Transfer of assets, personnel, and land reversion

Assets, personnel, records, and liabilities/obligations of the Rizal Technological Colleges are transferred to the University.
Personnel positions, rights, and security of tenure under existing laws prior to absorption are not impaired.
Incumbent members of existing positions remain in the same status until otherwise provided by the Board.
Parcels of land belonging to the government and occupied by the Rizal Technological Colleges in the City of Mandaluyong and its branches, and those previously titled under the name of the Rizal Technological Colleges, are declared property of the Rizal Technological University and are to be titled under the University’s name.
If the University ceases to exist or is abolished, or if the land is no longer needed by the University, the parcels revert to the provinces, municipalities, or cities where they are located.

Assistance from national offices and staffing support

Heads of bureaus and offices of the national government may loan or transfer apparatus, equipment, supplies, and may detail employees to the University upon the President’s request, if such items/services can be spared without detriment to public service.
Detailed employees perform duties required by the University President.
The time detailed is counted as part of the employees’ official service.

Continuing policy on integration and affiliation

The University maintains a continuing policy to accept affiliation and/or integration of existing tertiary institutions within the City of Mandaluyong and the Province of Rizal whose programs contribute effectively to attaining University objectives.
For integration, CHED determines and approves that existing tertiary institutions integrate as part of the University.
Where integration occurs, funds, properties, and other assets as well as obligations of the integrated schools are transferred to the University.

Funding, development requirements, and institutional setup

Amounts needed to implement the Act’s provisions are charged against the current year’s appropriations of the Rizal Technological Colleges.
Thereafter, amounts necessary for continued operation and maintenance of the University are included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Within one hundred twenty (120) days after approval, the University must:
- submit a five (5)-year development plan including corresponding program budget to CHED for recommendation to DBM;
- undergo a management audit in cooperation with CHED;
- set up organizational, administrative, and academic structure including the appointment/designation of key university officials; and
- establish at least four (4) separate degree granting units, one in arts and sciences and another at the graduate level.

Civil service exemption for tertiary faculty

Faculty members of the University at the tertiary level are exempt from any civil service examination as a requisite for appointment.
The Board may still impose other professional examination requirements intended to maintain high academic standards.

Governing charter linkage and broad legal effect

The provisions of Republic Act No. 8292 (Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997) form an integral part of the Act and together govern the University.
All powers, functions, privileges, responsibilities, and limitations of state universities and their officials under existing laws are deemed granted to or imposed upon the University and/or its officials whenever appropriate.

Repeal and effectivity

Laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the Act are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
The Act takes effect upon approval.
The Act is Approved, Lapsed into law on October 11, 1997, without the signature of the President, in accordance with Article VI, Section 27 (1) of the Constitution.