General Mandate of the University
- Provides advanced education, higher technological and professional instruction in agriculture, environmental studies, fishery, engineering, forestry, industrial technology, education, law, medicine, health-related programs, IT, arts and sciences.
- Conducts research, extension services and leadership in specialized areas.
Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy
- The University enjoys academic freedom and institutional autonomy under the 1987 Constitution (Article XIV, Section 5, paragraph 2).
Curricular Offerings
- Offers undergraduate and graduate courses in fields mentioned above and others as determined by the Board of Regents.
- Existing high schools transferred to the Department of Education, but may operate temporarily until current students graduate.
- University may operate a laboratory school under its College of Education.
Administration and Corporate Powers
- University has corporate powers as per Batas Pambansa Blg. 68 (Corporation Code of the Philippines).
- Administration vested in the Board of Regents and the University President.
Governing Board Composition
- Board of Regents chaired by the CHED Chairperson, includes University President, Congressional committee chairpersons, regional directors (NEDA, DOST, DA), federation presidents (faculty, student, alumni), and three prominent private citizens from Surigao del Norte.
- Citizens appointed from a recommended list, serve 2-year terms.
- Federation presidents serve terms coterminous with their respective organizations.
Powers and Duties of the Board of Regents
- Promulgate policies aligned with state and constitutional educational policies and CHED standards.
- Approve rules and regulations, appropriate funds, and receive donations, including importation of books.
- Fix tuition and fees; retain generated income for university programs.
- Adopt socialized tuition schemes for poor but deserving students.
- Authorize construction, acquisition of property, staff appointments, salary fixation, and disciplinary measures.
- Approve curricula, admission and graduation policies, and award honorary degrees.
- Establish branches, research centers, professorial chairs, and provide scholarships.
- Delegate powers, conduct management audits, initiate reforms, collaborate with other universities, and enter joint ventures.
- Implement innovative teaching modes and privatize certain nonacademic services.
- Extend term of University President beyond retirement age under specific conditions.
Board Meetings
- Regular meetings every three months, special meetings allowed with notice.
- Quorum requires majority including CHED Chairperson or designate and University President.
- Board members receive no salary, only reimbursements for expenses.
University President
- Appointed by the Board with a four-year term, eligible for reappointment.
- Incumbent SSCT President serves as Officer-in-Charge during transition.
- Vacancies filled within six months by Officer-in-Charge pending appointment.
- Duties include typical university president functions plus delegated tasks.
- Salary aligned with similar educational institutions.
- Assisted by Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs and Administration.
Campus Directors
- Full-time heads of campuses, appointed by Board.
- Incumbent College Administrators continue as Campus Directors initially.
University Secretary
- Appointed by Board, keeps records and serves notices of Board meetings.
University Treasurer
- Treasurer of the Philippines serves ex officio as University Treasurer.
Administrative and Academic Councils
- Administrative Council composed of President, Vice Presidents, Deans, and Directors; reviews management policies.
- Academic Council composed of President and academic staff (assistant professor rank and above); reviews curricular offerings, disciplinary policies, admission and graduation requirements.
Faculty Appointment and Non-discrimination
- Faculty appointments not influenced by political, gender, cultural, ethnic, or religious affiliation.
- Faculty prohibited from proselytizing.
Scholarship and Admission Policy
- Scholarship and affirmative action programs for poor but deserving students.
- No denial of admission based on sex, religion, cultural or ethnic origin.
Authority to Loan or Transfer Equipment and Personnel
- National government offices authorized to loan equipment and detail employees upon University request.
- Time served by detailed personnel counts as regular service.
Asset, Liability, and Personnel Transfer
- All assets, personnel, liabilities from integrated colleges transferred to the University.
- Government land occupied by original colleges titled to the University.
- Rights, positions, and tenure of personnel respected.
- Assets revert to government if University ceases or assets unused.
Tax Exemptions
- Importation of books/publications by University exempt from customs duties with CHED certification.
- Donations to University exempt from donor’s tax, deductible for income tax purposes.
Appropriations
- Initial funds charged to appropriations of integrated colleges except for existing high school operations.
- Future funding included in General Appropriations Act.
Development Planning, Management Audit, and Organizational Set-up
- Within 120 days after approval, University must submit a five-year development plan to CHED and DBM.
- Must undergo management audit and establish organizational, administrative, and academic structures including key official appointments.
Annual Reporting
- Board must file detailed progress report annually within 15 days of second month after classes start, submitted to the President of the Philippines, CHED, and Congress.
Supplentory Provisions
- Republic Act No. 8292 (Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997) applies as part of the University's Governing Charter.
Parity Clause
- University enjoys powers, responsibilities, and limitations applicable to state universities and officials under existing laws.
Compliance with CHED University Status Requirements
- University status effective only upon CHED declaration based on expert panel recommendation.
- Operational requirements include Level III accreditation of programs, faculty qualifications, adequate facilities, research output, community linkages, and academic policies.
- Institution retains previous status until compliance or until January 1, 2016.
Implementing Rules
- Board to formulate implementing rules in consultation with CHED.
Separability and Repealing Clauses
- Invalid provisions do not affect the rest of the Act.
- Laws and regulations inconsistent with the Act are repealed or modified.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in newspapers of general circulation.