General Educational Mandate
- Provide advanced instruction and professional training in education, engineering, sciences, arts, technology, architecture, criminology, midwifery, accountancy, business, agriculture, forestry, and other relevant fields.
- Undertake research, extension services, and production activities supporting socioeconomic development.
- Promote preservation of Tamaraws and indigenous peoples in Occidental Mindoro and the MIMAROPA region.
Curricular Offerings
- Offer undergraduate and graduate courses in various specialization fields based on the Board of Regents' decisions.
- May operate a laboratory school for education students including senior high and elementary schools under College of Education supervision.
Administration and Corporate Powers
- OMSU has corporate powers under the Philippine Corporation Code.
- Powers are vested in the Board of Regents and the University President.
Governing Board Composition
- Board of Regents chaired by CHED Chairperson and co-chaired by OMSU President.
- Includes Senate and House Committee Chairpersons on education, regional directors from NEDA, DOST, DA, and federation presidents of faculty, students, alumni.
- Two prominent citizens appointed from Occidental Mindoro by the Board.
- Faculty and student federation presidents serve terms coterminous with their respective offices.
Board’s Powers and Duties
- Formulate and implement policies aligned with constitutional education mandates and CHED/TESDA standards.
- Approve academic curricula, appoint officials, fix salaries, grant leaves, and impose fees.
- Retain and use generated income for academic and institutional development.
- Adopt socialized tuition schemes for accessibility.
- Provide fellowships, scholarships, and establish professional chairs.
- Manage funds and receive grants/donations with fiduciary responsibilities.
- Set admission and graduation policies; confer honorary degrees.
- Establish research/extension centers and academic partnerships.
- Use modern teaching modalities for wider educational access.
- Collaborate with institutions for efficiency and competitiveness.
- Absorb other institutions as branches or extension centers.
- Authorize external audits and institute reforms based on recommendations.
- Develop linkages with LGUs, businesses, and agencies.
- Import books and publications tax-exempt, enter joint ventures, receive donations, and extend presidential term under conditions.
- Delegate powers for operational efficiency.
- Formulate transparency and participative decision-making policies.
- Privatize non-academic services when advantageous.
- Oversee construction and acquisition of facilities.
- Promulgate necessary rules and regulations.
Board Meetings and Operations
- Regular meetings every three months; special meetings as called.
- Quorum requires majority including CHED Chair or representative and OMSU President.
- Senate and House committee chairpersons’ representatives may attend.
- Board members receive no salary but are reimbursed for actual expenses.
University President
- Full-time officer appointed by the Board on recommendation of a search committee.
- Serves a four-year term, eligible for reappointment.
- Incumbent OMSC President may serve as first OMSU President if qualified.
- Board designates an Officer-in-Charge during vacancies.
- Duties include usual university presidential functions plus Board-delegated tasks.
- Salary governed by the Salary Standardization Law.
- Assisted by three Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs, Administration, and Research.
University Secretary and Treasurer
- Secretary appointed by the Board, serves both the Board and the University, handles records and notices.
- Treasurer of the Philippines acts as ex officio Treasurer of OMSU.
Administrative and Academic Councils
- Administrative Council composed of President, vice presidents, deans, and directors; reviews policies on administration and planning.
- Academic Council includes President and academic staff assistant professor rank and above; formulates academic policies, curricular offerings, admissions, graduations, and student discipline.
Campus Directors
- Serve as heads of campuses, appointed by the Board upon recommendation.
- Incumbent Campus Directors continue upon Act's effectivity.
Faculty Appointment and Rights
- No inquiry into political beliefs, gender, cultural/ethnic or religious affiliations in appointment.
- Faculty prohibited from promoting or opposing religious sects.
Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy
- OMSU enjoys academic freedom and institutional autonomy as guaranteed by the Constitution.
Scholarships and Admission Policy
- Scholarship and affirmative programs for poor but deserving students.
- Admission nondiscriminatory regarding gender, religion, culture, disability, or ethnicity.
Loan/Transfer of Government Property and Personnel
- National government offices authorized to loan or transfer apparatus, supplies, and personnel to OMSU.
- Detailed employees perform OMSU duties with credited service time.
Transfer of Assets, Liabilities, and Personnel
- All assets, personnel, records, liabilities of OMSC transferred to OMSU.
- Faculty and personnel rights, tenure respected.
- Government-owned lands titled to OMSU.
- Reversion of property if OMSU abolished or lands no longer needed.
Tax Exemptions on Importations and Donations
- Importation of books/publications for educational purposes exempt from customs duties upon CHED certification.
- Grants, donations to OMSU exempt from donor’s tax and deductible from gross income.
Compliance with CHED University Requirements
- Effectivity contingent on CHED's expert panel recommending compliance with university status requirements.
- Requirements include:
- Full-time faculty with relevant degrees and research participation.
- Offering comprehensive degree programs from post-secondary to doctoral levels.
- Viable research output and publications.
- Comprehensive learning resources and linkages.
- International research affiliations.
- Outreach activities for social development.
- CHED provides technical assistance and monitors compliance.
- OMSC retains current status until compliance certified.
Development Plan and Management Audit
- Within 120 days, submit five-year development plan and budget to CHED.
- Establish organizational and academic structure.
- Undergo management audit coordinated with CHED.
Annual Reporting
- Board must report annually on OMSU’s progress, condition, and needs to the Office of the President, CHED, and Congress.
Application of Higher Education Modernization Act
- RA 8292 provisions integrate into and govern governance aspects of OMSU.
Parity Clause
- All powers, functions, privileges, and limitations of existing laws apply to OMSU and its officials as applicable.
Appropriations
- Initial funding charged to OMSC’s current appropriations; subsequent funding from General Appropriations Act.
Rule-making and Implementation
- Board to formulate implementing rules within 60 days of effectivity in consultation with CHED.
Separability and Repealing Provisions
- Invalidity of any part does not affect remainder of the Act.
- Conflicting laws and regulations repealed or amended accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.