General Mandate of the University
- Provides advanced education, higher technological, professional, technical, and vocational instruction and training.
- Focus areas include sciences, arts, education, entrepreneurship, engineering, and related fields.
- Undertakes research, extension services, and provides leadership in areas of specialization.
Curricular Offerings
- Offers undergraduate and graduate courses.
- Fields include engineering, industrial technology, arts and sciences, architecture, nontraditional, and relevant fields.
- Courses tailored to needs of Camarines Sur and Bicol Region.
Administration and Corporate Powers
- University has powers of a corporation per the Corporation Code of the Philippines (Batas Pambansa Blg. 68).
- Corporate powers vested in Board of Regents and University President exclusively.
Governing Board Composition
- Board of Regents chaired by CHED Chairperson; Vice chaired by University President.
- Members include Senate and House Committee Chairpersons on Education, regional directors of NEDA, DOST, Agriculture, TESDA, presidents of faculty, student, and alumni federations, and two notable private citizens.
- Private citizens appointed from a list recommended by a Search Committee.
- Faculty, student, and alumni representatives serve coterminously with their organizational terms.
Powers and Duties of the Board of Regents
- Policy formulation aligned with State, CHED, and TESDA educational mandates.
- Approves curricula, programs, and disciplinary rules.
- Appoints university officials and employees on President's recommendation.
- Fixes salaries, grants leaves, removes personnel for cause with due process.
- Determines tuition, fees, and manages university special trust funds.
- Adopts socialized tuition schemes under Universal Access Act.
- Establishes professional chairs, fellowships, scholarships.
- Receives government and private funds for university support.
- Sets student admission and graduation policies.
- Awards honorary degrees and nondegree certificates.
- Establishes research, extension centers, and international collaborations.
- Uses innovative education delivery methods including IT and distance learning.
- Coordinates with other colleges for efficiency and competitiveness.
- Absorbs other tertiary institutions as branches or extension centers.
- Authorizes external management audits and acts on results.
- Develops linkages with LGUs and other institutions.
- Permits importation of educational materials.
- Enters joint ventures with industry for asset development.
- Accepts and administers donations and legacies.
- Can extend the University President's term up to age 70 for outstanding performance.
- Delegates powers for efficient administration.
- Promotes transparency and participative decision making.
- May privatize nonacademic service management.
- Authorizes construction, repairs, acquisitions of property and supplies.
- Promulgates rules necessary for university functions.
Meetings of the Board of Regents
- Regular meetings every three months; special meetings by Chairperson.
- Quorum is a majority including CHED Chairperson or University President.
- CHED Chairperson may designate a Commissioner to represent or preside.
- Senate and House Committee Chairpersons may designate representatives.
- Board members receive no salary but are reimbursed for expenses.
University President
- Appointed by the Board, serves full-time, recommended by a Search Committee.
- Term of four years, eligible for reappointment.
- Incumbent BISCAST President to serve first two years of transition and can be reappointed for one full term.
- Board appoints Officer-in-Charge during presidential vacancy.
- President performs usual university presidential duties and those delegated by the Board.
- Salary per Salary Standardization Law and comparable to presidents of similar institutions.
- Assisted by three Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs, Administration, and Research/Development/Extension.
Secretary of the University
- Appointed by the Board to serve both Board and University.
- Keeps Board records and proceedings and serves notices.
Treasurer of the University
- Treasurer of the Philippines serves ex officio as University Treasurer.
Administrative Council
- Composed of University President (Chair), Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors.
- Reviews and recommends policies for administration, management, development planning.
Academic Council
- Composed of University President (Chair) and academic staff at assistant professor rank or higher.
- Formulates academic policies and reviews curricular offerings and discipline rules.
- Sets admission and graduation requirements subject to Board approval.
- Exercises disciplinary authority over students.
Faculty Appointment and Conduct
- No inquiry into political belief, gender preference, cultural or ethnic affiliation, or religion in faculty appointments.
- Appointments follow Board-set qualifications and standards.
- Faculty prohibited from teaching for or against any religious sect.
Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy
- University enjoys academic freedom and institutional autonomy as mandated by the Constitution.
Scholarship Programs and Admission
- Provides scholarships and affirmative actions to poor but deserving students.
- Prohibits denial of admission on grounds of gender, religion, culture, disability, or ethnicity.
Authority to Loan or Transfer Government Resources
- Government bureaus/offices authorized to loan/transfer equipment, supplies, personnel to the University.
- Detailed employees perform duties as assigned; service counts as regular service.
Transfer of Assets, Liabilities, and Personnel
- All BISCAST assets, liabilities, personnel, and records transferred to the University.
- Existing employee rights and tenure respected; personnel status maintained pending Board action.
- University empowered to upgrade human resources.
- Government-owned lands occupied by BISCAST declared University property; reverts to Government or LGU if University abolished or the lands no longer needed.
Tax Exemption on Imports and Donations
- University importation of educational materials exempt from customs duties upon CHED certification.
- Donations/grants to University exempt from donor’s tax and deductible for donors per National Internal Revenue Code.
Compliance with CHED Requirements
- Conversion effective only after CHED determination of compliance with university status requirements.
- CHED panel may recommend when BISCAST substantially complies with standards.
Development Plan and Organizational Setup
- Within 120 days post-enactment, University to submit a 5-year development plan and program budget to CHED.
- Set up organizational, administrative, academic structures and key official appointments.
- Undergo management audit in coordination with CHED.
Annual Progress Report
- Board required to file detailed progress, condition, and needs report annually to the President of the Philippines, CHED Chairperson, and Congress.
Applicability of Higher Education Modernization Act
- RA 8292 provisions supplement and form part of this Act, serving as the University’s governing charter.
Parity Clause
- Other powers, functions, privileges, responsibilities, and limitations under existing laws apply when appropriate.
Appropriations
- Funding initially charged against BISCAST allotment.
- Subsequent funds to come from annual General Appropriations Act.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- Board to formulate rules and regulations within 60 days of effectivity in consultation with CHED.
Separability Clause
- Invalid provisions do not affect validity of remaining provisions.
Repealing Clause
- Laws, decrees, orders inconsistent with this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity Clause
- Act takes effect 15 days after publication in Official Gazette or newspaper of general circulation.