General Mandate of ADSSU
- Provides advanced education, technological, professional, and advanced instruction.
- Focus areas include agriculture, agribusiness management, science and technology, education, forestry, engineering, arts and sciences, and other relevant fields.
- Engages in research, extension services, and production activities.
- Supports development in Agusan del Sur and provides leadership in specialization areas.
Curricular Offerings
- Offers short-term technical-vocational, undergraduate, and graduate programs.
- Programs focus on agriculture, agribusiness, science and technology, education, forestry, engineering, arts and sciences.
- May offer nontraditional courses as deemed necessary.
- Can operate a reasonably sized laboratory school if it has a College of Education.
Administration
- ADSSU has corporate powers as set by the Corporation Code of the Philippines.
- General administration vested in the Board of Regents and the University President.
Governing Board Composition
- Chaired by CHED Chairperson and co-chaired by University President.
- Members include Senate and House Committee Chairpersons on education, Regional Directors of NEDA, DA, DOST.
- Includes presidents of faculty, student, alumni federations and two prominent private citizens.
- Private citizens appointed for two-year terms after recommendation from a Search Committee.
- Terms of federation presidents are coterminous with their terms of office.
Powers and Duties of the Board
- Promulgate policies consistent with State and CHED guidelines.
- Approve curricula, programs, and disciplinary rules.
- Appoint University officials including vice presidents, deans, and faculty.
- Fix salaries, grant leaves, and remove officials with due process.
- Set tuition and fees, and manage special trust funds from fees and subsidies.
- Adopt socialized tuition schemes aligned with Republic Act No. 10931.
- Establish professional chairs, fellowships, and scholarships.
- Manage budgets and receive appropriations.
- Set admission and graduation policies.
- Award honorary degrees and certificates for non-degree programs.
- Establish research and extension centers.
- Develop academic partnerships and invite consultants and visiting professors.
- Use innovative educational methods like IT, open distance learning, and community labs.
- Collaborate with other SUCs for efficiency.
- Absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions as branches or extension centers.
- Authorize external management audits and implement reforms.
- Develop linkages with LGUs and institutions.
- Import economic, technical and cultural publications duty-free.
- Enter joint ventures with business and industry.
- Receive and administer donations and legacies.
- Authorize facility construction, property acquisition, and maintenance.
- Extend University President’s term beyond retirement under conditions.
- Delegate powers for efficient administration.
- Privatize nonacademic services if advantageous.
- Promulgate necessary implementing rules.
Board Meetings
- Convene quarterly regularly.
- CHED Chairperson may call up to two special meetings annually with prior notice.
- Quorum requires majority including either CHED Chairperson or University President.
- CHED Chairperson may designate a Commissioner as representative or Chair.
- Senate and House Committee Chairpersons may designate representatives.
- Members receive no salary but are reimbursed for expenses.
University President
- Full-time President appointed by the Board, recommended by a Search Committee.
- Term of four years, renewable once.
- Incumbent ASSCAT President may serve as first ADSSU President.
- Search Committee constituted six months before term expiration.
- Officer-in-Charge appointed in case of vacancy.
- President’s duties include powers usual to University Presidents and delegated powers.
- Salary set under Salary Standardization Law.
- Assisted by three Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs, Administration, and Research.
University Secretary and Treasurer
- Secretary appointed by the Board handling records and notices.
- Treasurer of the Philippines is ex officio Treasurer.
Administrative and Academic Councils
- Administrative Council headed by President includes key officials; reviews and recommends management policies.
- Academic Council comprises President and staff ranked assistant professor or higher.
- Formulates academic policies, curricular offerings, disciplinary rules.
- Sets admission and graduation requirements.
- Exercises disciplinary authority over students.
Campus Directors
- Serve as heads of University campuses, full-time service.
- Appointed or designated by the Board upon Search Committee recommendation.
- Incumbent campus directors continue upon effectivity.
Faculty Appointment
- No discrimination on political, gender, cultural, ethnic, or religious grounds.
- Appointments subject to Board’s standards and qualifications.
- Faculty prohibited from promoting particular religious sects.
Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy
- University enjoys constitutional academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
Scholarship and Admission Policies
- Scholarship and affirmative action for poor but deserving students.
- No admission denial on the basis of gender, religion, culture, disability or ethnicity.
Authority to Loan or Transfer Equipment and Personnel
- Government bureaus can loan apparatus, equipment, supplies upon University President's request.
- Personnel may be detailed to University without detriment to public service.
- Time served counted as regular service.
Transfer of Assets, Liabilities and Personnel
- All ASSCAT assets, liabilities, personnel, and records transferred to ADSSU.
- Faculty and personnel retain positions and security of tenure.
- Positions continue until Board decides otherwise.
- University may increase human resources.
- Government land occupied by ASSCAT is property of University with reversion clause.
Tax Exemptions on Importations and Donations
- Duty-free import of economic, technical, and cultural publications for University use upon CHED certification.
- Donations, grants, and contributions exempt from donor’s tax, deductible from donor’s gross income.
Compliance with CHED Requirements for University Status
- Conversion effective only upon CHED confirmation of compliance with university standards.
- Requirements include qualified faculty, comprehensive degree programs, viable research, learning resources, linkages, and outreach activities.
- CHED provides technical assistance and monitors compliance.
- Institution retains prior status until meets requirements.
Development Plan, Management Audit and Structure
- Within 120 days of Act approval, University must:
- Submit 5-year development plan with program budget.
- Undergo management audit with CHED.
- Establish organizational, administrative, academic structures and appoint officials.
Reporting Requirements
- Board must annually file progress report with President, CHED Chairperson, and Congress by the 15th day of the second month after classes start.
Supplentory Application and Parity
- Higher Education Modernization Act provisions apply supplementary.
- All powers and duties under existing laws presumed granted unless contrary.
Appropriations
- Necessary funds initially charged to ASSCAT appropriations.
- Further funding included in General Appropriations Act.
- Municipality of Trento continues support for satellite campus until full funding by national government.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- Board, with CHED, to formulate implementing rules within 60 days of Act’s effectivity.
Separability, Repealing and Effectivity Clauses
- Invalid provisions do not affect remaining provisions.
- Conflicting laws or rules repealed or modified accordingly.
- Act takes effect 15 days after publication in Official Gazette or general circulation newspaper.