General Mandate of the University
- Provide advanced instruction and professional training in science and technology, agriculture, fisheries, education, and other relevant fields.
- Undertake research, extension services, and provide leadership in its specialized areas.
Curricular Offerings
- Offer undergraduate and graduate courses aligned with the university's specialization and capabilities.
- Degree programs require approval from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Board of Regents.
- Existing high schools are transferred to the Department of Education but may temporarily operate within the university campus.
- The university may operate a laboratory school if it has a College of Education.
Administration and Corporate Powers
- The university has powers similar to a corporation under the Corporation Code of the Philippines.
- Administration and corporate powers are vested in the Board of Regents and the University President.
Governing Board Composition
- Board of Regents includes: Chairperson of CHED (Chairperson), University President (Vice-Chairperson), Chairpersons of Congressional Education Committees, regional directors of NEDA and DOST, presidents of the faculty, student, and alumni federations, and two prominent citizens from the private sector.
- Terms and appointment guidelines for private citizens and federation presidents are specified.
Policy Formulation and Implementation
- The Board shall align policies with constitutional education mandates and the Higher Education Act of 1994.
Powers and Duties of the Board of Regents
- Promulgate necessary rules and regulations.
- Manage funding and appropriate sums for university operations.
- Import duty-free technical and cultural books certified by CHED.
- Accept and manage legacies, gifts, and donations with tax exemptions for donors.
- Fix tuition fees and other school charges; income is to be retained for university use.
- Adopt socialized tuition schemes.
- Authorize construction, acquisition of properties, and appoint university officials.
- Set salaries, grant leaves, and remove employees for cause.
- Approve curricula, admission, graduation policies, and confer degrees or certificates.
- Establish branch campuses and research centers.
- Create professorial chairs, fellowships, and scholarships.
- Delegate powers for efficient administration.
- Authorize external management audits and institute reforms.
- Collaborate with other universities and enter joint ventures.
- Develop consortia and linkages with government and private institutions.
- Adopt innovative teaching methods for greater access.
- Privatize non-academic services where advantageous.
- Extend the President's term beyond retirement age under performance conditions.
Board Meetings
- Regular meetings held quarterly; special meetings upon 3 days’ notice.
- Quorum requires majority including CHED Chairperson or designee and University President.
- Members do not receive salary but are reimbursed for expenses.
University President
- Full-time president appointed by the Board upon a search committee’s recommendation.
- Term of 4 years, eligible for reappointment.
- Incumbent SKPSC president may serve as first university president.
- Powers and salary comparable to presidents of similar institutions.
- Assisted by appointed Vice Presidents.
Heads of University Campuses
- Campus Directors appointed by the Board with recommendation.
- Incumbent college administrators may serve as campus directors.
Administrative Council
- Composed of President, Vice Presidents, deans, and directors.
- Reviews and recommends policies on administration and development.
Academic Council
- Includes President and academic staff of assistant professor rank or higher.
- Reviews curricular offerings, admission, graduation, and student discipline.
- Formulates academic policies and rules subject to Board approval.
University Secretary
- Appointed by the Board to keep records and notify members of meetings.
University Treasurer
- Treasurer of the Philippines serves as ex officio treasurer of the University.
Faculty Appointment
- No inquiries into religious beliefs in faculty appointment.
- Faculty may not teach for or against any religion.
- Appointment subject to Board guidelines.
Scholarship and Admission
- Scholarship programs assist poor but deserving students.
- Admission is without discrimination based on sex, religion, cultural or ethnic origin.
Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy
- The University enjoys academic freedom and institutional autonomy under the Philippine Constitution.
Authority to Loan or Transfer Assets and Personnel
- Heads of government offices may loan equipment and detail employees to the university.
- Employment time counts as regular service.
Transfer of Assets, Liabilities, and Personnel
- All SKPSC assets, personnel, liabilities, and records transfer to the University.
- Rights and tenure of existing faculty and personnel are respected.
- Government land used by SKPSC becomes property of the University.
- Land reverts to local government units if the University ceases to exist or no longer needs the land.
Appropriations
- Initial funds from SKPSC appropriations, excluding high school operations.
- Subsequent funding included in annual General Appropriations Act.
Development Plan, Audit, and Structure
- Within 120 days, submit a 5-year development plan with budget to CHED and DBM.
- Undergo management audit with CHED.
- Establish organizational, administrative, and academic structures and appoint key officials.
CHED Monitoring and Evaluation
- CHED conducts regular compliance evaluations.
- Non-compliance recommendations go to Senate and House Education Committees for possible revocation of university status.
Annual Reporting
- Board files detailed progress report annually to the President of the Philippines, CHED Chairperson, and Congress.
Supplimentary Legislation
- RA No. 8292 (Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997) applies as part of the University Charter.
Parity Clause
- Powers, privileges, responsibilities applicable to other state universities and officials are granted to the University.
Rule-Making Authority
- The Board, in consultation with CHED, formulates implementing guidelines.
Separability Clause
- Invalid provisions do not affect the validity of other provisions.
Repealing Clause
- Laws, decrees, or regulations inconsistent with this Act are repealed or modified.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in two national newspapers.