Converts Ifugao State College to University

General mandate and leadership functions

The University must primarily provide advanced instruction and professional training in education, law, arts and sciences, public administration, information technology, accountant, business and industry, agriculture and forestry, engineering, indigenous knowledge, and other relevant fields of study.
The University must undertake research and extension services.
The University must provide progressive leadership in its areas of specialization.

Curriculum offerings and degree approvals

The University must offer undergraduate, graduate, and short-term technical courses within its areas of specialization and according to its capabilities.
The University must offer courses to meet the needs of the Province of Ifugao and the Cordillera Administrative and the Cagayan Valley Regions.
The University must retain its original mandate as primarily an agricultural, technological and scientific institution.
For graduate courses, the University must strengthen its masteral and doctorate degree programs in agriculture and allied courses.
The University must ensure no degree is offered without approval of the Commission on Higher Education before the Board approves the degree.
Existing high school/s must be transferred to the jurisdiction and supervision of the Department of Education (DepED).
Existing high school/s may remain and operate within the University campus until existing students complete high school education.
The University may operate a reasonably-sized laboratory school if it has a College of Education.

Corporate administration and governing board

The University has the general powers of a corporation under Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, as amended, otherwise known as the Corporation Code of the Philippines.
Administration of the University and exercise of its corporate powers are vested exclusively in the Board of Regents and the President of the University.
The University is governed by a Board of Regents composed of:
- The Chairperson of CHED as Chairperson;
- The President of the University as Vice Chairperson;
- The Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture of the Senate;
- The Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the House of Representatives;
- The Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA);
- The Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture (DA);
- The President of the federation of faculty associations of the University;
- The President of the federation of student councils of the University;
- The President of the federation of alumni associations of the University; and
- Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector with distinguished professional expertise.
The Board must appoint the two (2) prominent citizens from a list of at least five (5) qualified persons in the Province of Ifugao, as recommended by a search committee constituted by the University President, in consultation with the Chairperson of CHED and the other Board members, using normal standards and qualifications for the position.
The terms of the Presidents of faculty associations, student councils, and alumni associations are co-terminous with their respective constitution and by-laws.
The two (2) prominent citizens serve for a term of two (2) years from the date of appointment.
The Board promulgates and implements policies in line with declared State policies on education and pertinent constitutional education, agriculture, science and technology provisions, and the policies, standards, and thrusts of CHED under Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the Higher Education Act of 1994.

Board powers, finance, fees, governance

The Board must promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the University’s purposes and functions.
The Board must receive and appropriate all sums for University support in the manner it determines.
The Board may import duty-free economic, technical and cultural books and/or publications only upon CHED certification that they are for economic, technical, vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical or cultural purposes in accordance with the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended.
The Board may receive in trust, and administer and dispose of, legacies, gifts, and donations of real properties for the University’s benefit, subject to donor limitations and instructions.
Donations of real properties are exempt from the donor’s tax and are considered as allowable deductions from the gross income for computing the donor’s income tax under the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended.
Donations must not be disposed of, transferred, or sold.
The Board must fix tuition fees and other necessary school charges (including matriculation fees, graduation fees and laboratory fees) after due consultation with involved sectors.
Fees and charges, including government subsidies and other income generated by the University, must constitute special trust funds deposited in any authorized government depository bank, and all interests accrue to the same funds for University use.
Income generated by the University from tuition fees and other charges, and from auxiliary services and land grants, must be retained by the University and may be disbursed by the Board for instruction, research, extension, or other programs/projects.
Fiduciary fees must be disbursed strictly for the specific purpose for which they are collected.
If the University cannot pursue a project for which funds were appropriated under an approved program of expenditures for reasons beyond its control, the Board may authorize use of those funds for any reasonable purpose necessary and urgent for attainment of objectives and goals.
The Board must adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and other school fees for greater access to poor but deserving students.
The Board may authorize construction or repair of buildings, machinery, equipment and other facilities, and purchase/acquisition of real and personal properties, including necessary supplies, materials and equipment.
The Board may appoint, upon recommendation of the President, Vice President/s, deans, directors, heads of departments, faculty members and other officials and employees.
The Board may fix and adjust salaries of faculty and administrative officials and employees, subject to the Revised Compensation and Position Classification System and other pertinent budget and compensation laws; the Board may grant leaves of absence under regulations it promulgates, notwithstanding contrary provisions of existing laws; and the Board may remove for cause in accordance with due process of law.
The Board may approve curricula, instructional programs, and rules of discipline drawn by the Administrative and Academic Councils.
The Board may set policies on admission and graduation.
The Board may award honorary degrees and may authorize awarding certificates of completion of nondegree and nontraditional courses.
The Board may establish and absorb nonchartered tertiary institutions within the Province of Ifugao as branches and extension centers in coordination with CHED and in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and may offer programs/courses to promote equal and greater access to educational opportunities mandated by the Constitution.
The Board may establish research and extension centers to promote development of the University.
The Board may establish professional chairs and provide fellowships for qualified faculty members and scholarships to deserving students.
The Board may delegate powers and duties to the President or Officer-in-Charge and/or other officials to expedite University administration.
The Board must authorize an external management audit of the University financed by CHED, subject to Commission on Audit (COA) rules and regulations, and must institute 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 within the Province of Ifugao or the Cordillera Administrative Region, under CHED supervision and in consultation with DBM, and work toward restructuring to enhance efficiency, relevance, productivity, and competitiveness.
The Board may enter into joint ventures with business and industry for profitable development and management of the University’s economic assets, with proceeds used for development and strengthening.
The Board must develop consortia and other economic linkages with LGUs, institutions, and agencies (public and private; local and foreign) to further University purposes and objectives.
The Board may develop academic arrangements for institutional capability building with appropriate institutions and agencies (public and private; local and foreign) and appoint experts/specialists as consultants, part-time or visiting or exchange professors, scholars, or researchers.
The Board may set up adoption of modern and innovative knowledge-transmission modes such as information technology, dual learning system, open learning or distance education, and community laboratory for greater access to higher education and graduate studies.
The Board may establish policy guidelines and procedures for participate decision-making and transparency within the University.
The Board may privatize, where most advantageous, management of nonacademic services such as health, food, building or grounds or property maintenance, and similar activities.
The Board may extend the term of the President beyond retirement age but not beyond seventy (70), if performance is unanimously rated outstanding using guidelines, qualifications and/or standards set by the Board, after unanimous recommendation by the search committee.

Board meetings and leadership appointments

The Board must convene at least once every quarter.
The Chairperson may call a maximum of two (2) special meetings with three (3) days’ prior written notice whenever necessary.
A quorum consists of a majority of all Board members holding office at the time of the meeting.
The Chairperson of the Board or the President of the University must be present for the meeting.
In the absence of the Chairperson of CHED, a duly designated CHED Commissioner must represent the Chairperson in the meeting with all rights and responsibilities of a regular member.
The President of the University, as Vice Chairperson, must act as presiding officer during that meeting.
The Chairperson of CHED may authorize a CHED Commissioner to act as presiding officer.
Congressional Committee Chairs on Education may designate representatives if they cannot attend; the representatives must have the same rights and responsibilities as regular members.
Board members receive no salary but are entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred for authorized official business, subject to existing laws and regulations.

University President and campus heads

The University is headed by a President who must render full-time service.
The Board appoints the President subject to its guidelines, qualifications, and/or standards upon recommendation of a duly constituted search committee.
The President’s term is four (4) years and is eligible for reappointment for another term.
To enable a smooth transition, the incumbent ISCAF President must serve as the first President of the University if qualified.
The Board must constitute the Search Committee for the Presidency (SCP) within six (6) months before the incumbent President’s term expires.
If the Office of the President becomes vacant due to death, compulsory retirement, resignation, removal for cause or incapacity, the Board must designate an Officer-in-Charge within six (6) months from the date of vacancy pending appointment of a new President.
Any successor or Officer-in-Charge serves only the unexpired portion of the term.
The President’s powers and duties include those usually pertaining to the Office of the President of similar universities and those delegated by the Board.
The President’s salary must follow the Revised Compensation and Position Classification System and must be comparable to salaries of Presidents of similar educational institutions.
The President must be assisted by Vice President/s appointed by the Board upon recommendation of the President.
Each University campus is headed by a Campus Director who must render full-time service.
Campus Directors are appointed by the Board upon recommendation of the search committee and the University President, subject to Board guidelines, qualifications and/or standards.
The incumbent extension campus administrators serve as Campus Directors of their respective campuses.

Councils, secretary, treasurer

The Administrative Council consists of the President of the University as Chairperson, Vice Presidents, deans, directors, and other officials of equal rank, and must review and recommend to the Board policies governing administration, management, and development for appropriate Board action.
The Academic Council consists of the President as Chairperson and all academic staff with at least the rank of assistant professor.
The Academic Council must review and recommend curricular offerings and rules of discipline for Board action.
The Academic Council must fix admission requirements, requirements for graduation and conferment of degrees, subject to Board review and/or approval through the President.
The Academic Council must have disciplinary power over students and must formulate academic policies and rules on discipline, subject to Board approval.
The Board must appoint a Secretary who serves for both the Board and the University, keeps all Board records and proceedings, and provides each Board member notice of Board meetings.
The Treasurer of the Philippines is the ex officio treasurer of the University.

Faculty appointments, religion, student access

Religious opinion or affiliation must not be inquired into in the appointment of faculty members.
Faculty appointment remains subject to the Board’s guidelines, qualifications and/or standards.
No faculty member must teach for or against any particular church or religious sect.
The University must provide a scholarship program and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving students who qualify for admission.
No student must be denied admission due to sex, religion, cultural or community affiliation, or ethnic origin.
The University enjoys academic freedom and institutional autonomy pursuant to paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.

Loaning government equipment and seconded personnel

Heads of national government bureaus and offices are authorized, upon request of the President of the University, to loan or transfer apparatus, equipment, or supplies needed by the University.
Heads may detail employees for duty when the head judges that the apparatus, equipment, supplies, or employee services can be spared without serious detriment to public service.
Detailed employees must perform duties required by the President, and the time employed counts as part of their regular service.

Transfer of assets and protection of tenure

All assets (fixed and movable), personnel, and records of ISCAF are transferred to the University, including liabilities or obligations.
Positions, rights, and security of tenure of faculty members and personnel employed under existing laws before conversion must be respected.
Government parcels of land belonging to the government and occupied by ISCAF are declared property of the University and must be titled in the University’s name.
If the University ceases to exist or is abolished, or if the parcels are no longer needed, the lands must revert to the concerned LGUs.

Appropriations and continued operations

The amount necessary to carry out the Act is charged against the current year appropriations of ISCAF, except the sums needed to continue operations of existing high school/s.
Thereafter, sums necessary for continued operation and maintenance of the University must be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Development plan and organizational setup

Within one hundred twenty (120) days after approval of the Act, the University must:
- Submit a five (5) year development plan, including its corresponding program budget to CHED for recommendation to DBM;
- Undergo a management audit in cooperation with CHED; and
- Establish its organizational, administrative, and academic structure, including appointment of key officials.

CHED monitoring and evaluation consequences

CHED conducts regular monitoring and evaluation to determine continuing compliance with the requirements for University status.
If CHED finds noncompliance, CHED must submit an appropriate recommendation for revocation of University status to the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture and the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education.

Annual report to President and Congress

On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the second (2nd) month after opening of regular classes each year, the Board must file a detailed report on the University’s progress, conditions, and needs:
- With the Office of the President of the Philippines through the Chairperson of CHED; and
- With both Houses of Congress.

Charter integration, parity, implementing rules

Republic Act No. 8292, otherwise known as the Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997, becomes an integral part of the Act and serves as part of the University’s Governing Charter.
The University and/or its officials are treated as granted or imposed with all other powers, functions, privileges, responsibilities, and limitations to state universities and/or their officials under existing laws whenever appropriate.
The Board, in consultation with CHED, must formulate guidelines to fully implement the Act.

Separability, repeal, and effectivity

If any part or provision of the Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected remain in full force and effect.
All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the Act are repealed or modified accordingly.
The Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Enactment and approval dates

The Act was approved October 14, 2009.
The Act originated in the House of Representatives and was finally passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on August 26, 2009 and August 18, 2009, respectively.