General Mandate
- Provide advanced education, technological, professional training in various fields.
- Promote research, extension services, and leadership in specialization areas.
Academic Freedom and Autonomy
- Enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy under the 1987 Constitution.
Curricular Offerings
- Offer undergraduate and graduate courses in multiple disciplines.
- Maintain a laboratory school under the College of Education.
Administration
- University has corporate powers under the Corporation Code.
- Administration vested in Board of Regents and University President.
Governing Board Composition
- Board of Regents includes CHED Chairperson (Chair), University President (Vice Chair), Senate and House Education Committee Chairs, Regional Directors of NEDA and DOST, Federation Presidents for faculty, students, alumni, plus two prominent citizens.
- Citizens appointed for two-year terms based on qualifications.
Board Powers and Duties
- Promulgate policies in line with State and CHED regulations.
- Set rules, receive and appropriate funds, import technical books.
- Manage donations, tuition fees, and school charges with transparency.
- Socialized tuition scheme for poor students.
- Authorize construction, appointments, salary adjustments, and discipline policies.
- Approve curricula, admission, graduation rules.
- Award honorary degrees.
- Absorb tertiary institutions as branches.
- Establish research centers, professorial chairs, scholarships.
- Delegate powers to officials for efficient administration.
- Conduct external audits and institute reforms.
- Collaborate with other universities and enter joint ventures.
- Develop linkages with local government and agencies.
- Innovate academic delivery (distance education, IT).
- Privatize nonacademic services if beneficial.
- Extend President’s term beyond retirement age upon outstanding performance.
Board Meetings
- Regular meetings every three months, special meetings with notice.
- Quorum requires majority including Chairperson or University President.
- Members serve without salary but may be reimbursed for expenses.
University President
- Full-time President appointed for a 4-year term with possible reappointment.
- Incumbent Polytechnic College President serves as first University President.
- Vacancy filled by officer-in-charge within six months.
- Salary aligned with similar institutions.
- Assisted by Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs and Administration/Finance.
Campus Heads
- Campus Directors appointed to administer campuses, including incumbent College Administrators as directors.
University Secretary and Treasurer
- Secretary appointed to keep records and issue notices.
- Treasurer of the Philippines serves as ex officio Treasurer.
Administrative and Academic Councils
- Administrative Council manages administration and development planning.
- Academic Council oversees curricular offerings, admissions, graduation, discipline subject to Board approval.
Faculty Appointment
- Selection free from bias on political, gender, cultural, ethnic or religious grounds.
- Faculty prohibited from advocating for particular religious sects.
Scholarship and Admission
- Scholarship and affirmative action programs for poor deserving students.
- Admission not denied on basis of sex, religion, culture, or ethnicity.
Loan or Transfer of Government Assets and Personnel
- Other government agencies may loan equipment and detail personnel to University upon request.
Assets, Liabilities, and Personnel Transfer
- All assets, liabilities, personnel, and records transferred from Polytechnic College.
- Land properties titled to University; reverts to LGUs if University ceases to exist.
Tax Exemptions
- Importation of academic books by University exempt from customs duties.
- Donations exempt from donor’s tax and deductible for income tax purposes.
Appropriations
- Initial funding from Polytechnic College’s appropriations.
- Future funding included in annual General Appropriations Act.
Development Plan and Organizational Setup
- Submit 5-year development plan and program budget within 120 days.
- Undergo management audit.
- Establish organizational, administrative and academic structures.
Reporting
- Board must file annual detailed report on University progress to CHED, Office of the President, Congress.
Supplemental Application
- RA 8292 (Higher Education Modernization Act) applies as part of University Charter.
Parity Clause
- University and officials entitled to powers, functions, and responsibilities granted to other state universities.
Implementing Rules
- Board, with CHED, to formulate rules to implement the Act.
Compliance with CHED Requirements
- Conversion takes effect only after CHED verifies compliance with university operational requirements such as accreditation levels, faculty qualifications, facilities, research outputs, linkages, and academic policies.
- University retains previous status until compliance or January 1, 2016.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any provision does not affect remaining provisions.
Repealing Clause
- Laws inconsistent with this Act are repealed or modified.
Effectivity
- Takes effect 15 days after publication in two newspapers.