General Mandate
- Provides advanced education and training in sciences, arts, education, entrepreneurship, engineering, and related fields.
- Undertakes research, extension services, and leadership in its specialization areas.
Curricular Offerings
- Offers undergraduate and graduate programs in engineering, industrial technology, arts and sciences, architecture, nontraditional and relevant fields.
- Curricula tailored to needs of Camarines Sur and Bicol Region.
Administration and Corporate Powers
- Possesses general corporate powers under Corporation Code.
- Corporate powers vested in Board of Regents and University President.
Governing Board Composition
- Chaired by CHED Chairperson; co-chaired by University President.
- Members include Senate and House committee chairpersons, regional directors of NEDA, DOST, DA, TESDA, and federation presidents of faculty, students, alumni.
- Includes two distinguished private sector citizens from Camarines Sur appointed from a vetted list.
- Federation presidents' membership coterminous with their office terms.
Powers and Duties of the Board
- Policy promulgation aligned with constitutional and state policies, CHED and TESDA standards.
- Approve curricula, instructional programs, and disciplinary rules.
- Appoint key officials and personnel on President's recommendation.
- Determine salaries, leaves, and remove employees for cause with due process.
- Fix tuition and fees, create special trust funds from income including government subsidies.
- Implement a socialized tuition scheme consistent with Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
- Establish professorial chairs, scholarships, and fellowships.
- Manage receipts and appropriations for university operations.
- Set admission and graduation policies.
- Award honorary degrees and certificates for non-degree courses.
- Establish research and extension centers.
- Develop institutional partnerships and appoint consultants and visiting experts.
- Adopt innovative teaching methods such as open distance learning.
- Collaborate with regional colleges, absorb non-chartered institutions as branches or centers.
- Authorize management audits for reforms.
- Develop linkages with LGUs and other institutions for university advancement.
- Import books exempt from customs duties upon CHED certification.
- Engage in joint ventures for economic asset development.
- Receive and manage donations and legacies.
- Extend University President's term up to age 70 based on performance.
- Delegate powers for administrative efficiency.
- Ensure participative governance and transparency.
- Privatize nonacademic services where advantageous.
- Authorize construction, purchases, and promulgate necessary rules.
Board Meetings
- Regular meetings quarterly; special meetings with three days' notice.
- Quorum is majority with CHED Chairperson or University President present.
- CHED Chairperson may designate a Commissioner as Chair or representative.
- Senate and House committee chairpersons may send designated representatives.
- Board members receive no salary but are reimbursed for expenses.
University President
- Full-time position appointed by Board based on established standards.
- Initial BISCAST President serves two-year transition, eligible for four-year term afterwards.
- Search Committee formed five months before term expiration.
- Officer-in-Charge appointed in vacancies, serving unexpired term.
- President's duties include typical university executive functions.
- Salary based on Salary Standardization Law, comparable to similar institutions.
- Assisted by Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs, Administration, and Research.
Secretary of the University
- Appointed by Board to serve as secretary to Board and University.
- Responsible for record-keeping and meeting notices.
Treasurer of the University
- Treasurer of the Philippines serves ex officio.
Administrative Council
- Composed of President (Chair), Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors.
- Reviews and recommends policies on administration and development.
Academic Council
- Composed of President (Chair) and academic staff with at least assistant professor rank.
- Formulates academic policies, reviews curricula, discipline rules.
- Sets admission and graduation requirements subject to Board approval.
- Exercises disciplinary authority over students.
Faculty Appointment
- No inquiry into political belief, gender, cultural or religious affiliation allowed.
- Appointment subject to Board-set guidelines and qualifications.
- Faculty prohibited from teaching for or against any religious sect.
Academic Freedom and Autonomy
- University guaranteed academic freedom and institutional autonomy under Constitution.
Scholarship and Admission
- Implements scholarship and affirmative action for poor but deserving students.
- No denial of admission based on gender, religion, culture, disability, or origin.
Loan or Transfer of Equipment and Personnel
- National agencies authorized to loan/transfer equipment and detail employees on request.
- Detailed employees’ service time counted as regular service.
Assets, Liabilities, and Personnel
- All assets, liabilities, personnel of BISCAST transferred to University.
- Positions and tenure of personnel respected; incumbents retain status until Board otherwise provides.
- University may upgrade human resources as deemed appropriate.
- Government land occupied by BISCAST titled to University; reverts to LGU or national government if unused or upon abolition.
Tax Exemptions
- Importation of economic, technical, cultural books exempt from customs duties upon CHED certification.
- Donations and grants to University exempt from donor’s tax and are deductible from donor’s gross income.
Compliance with CHED Standards
- Conversion effective only after CHED panel certifies substantial compliance with university status requirements pursuant to CHED Memorandum Order No. 46, series 2012.
Development Plan and Audit
- Within 120 days, University shall submit 5-year development plan and budget to CHED and DBM.
- Establish organizational and academic structure.
- Undergo CHED-coordinated management audit.
Annual Report Filing
- Board to file report yearly to Office of the President, CHED, and Congress detailing progress, condition, and needs.
Governing Legal Provisions
- Republic Act No. 8292 included as part of University charter.
- Other powers and responsibilities as provided by law deemed granted.
Appropriations
- Initial funding charged against BISCAST current appropriations.
- Subsequent funding included in General Appropriations Act.
Implementing Rules
- Board to formulate implementing rules within 60 days in consultation with CHED.
Separability and Repealing Clauses
- Invalid provisions do not affect remainder of Act.
- Conflicting laws and issuances repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- Act takes effect 15 days after publication in Official Gazette or general circulation newspaper.