Legal Bases
- RA No. 11695 serves as the primary law for strengthening TSU including its governing board and curricular offerings.
- RA No. 7722 (Higher Education Act of 1994) provides the general framework for governance of higher education institutions.
- RA No. 8292 (Higher Education Modernization Act) governs the powers and composition of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) governing boards.
- CMO No. 7, s. 2022 revises the IRR of RA 8292.
Definition of Key Terms
- Extensive definitions are provided for terms such as:
- Act (RA No. 11695 itself);
- Auxiliary Services (non-academic services like hospital, cafeteria, janitorial);
- Chairperson and Co-Chair (CHED Chairperson or designated commissioner and TSU President respectively);
- Various types of campuses (main, extension, external);
- Flexible Learning and Distance Education modalities;
- Governing Board (Board of Regents for TSU);
- Special Trust Fund (tuition and fees held in trust);
- State Universities and Colleges (SUCs);
- University (means Tarlac State University);
- and other related educational and administrative terminologies.
Coverage, Application and Construction
- The IRR applies to all TSU campuses, including future research and extension centers.
- The provisions aim to realize TSU’s academic goals while ensuring academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
- Any ambiguities in the IRR are to be interpreted liberally in favor of the University, and with consideration to the welfare of students, faculty, and staff.
University Campuses
- The main campus is the central administrative location for TSU.
- Extension campuses presently include TSU-Villa Lucinda, TSU-San Isidro, Capas Extension, Concepcion Paz, and others within the province or region.
- The University may establish other satellite, virtual, or external campuses as approved by the Governing Board.
General Mandate and Curricular Offerings
- TSU provides advanced instruction and professional training in multiple fields including science, technology, medicine, law, business, arts, education, and public administration.
- It undertakes research, extension, production, and leadership roles aligned with its areas of specialization.
- Offers undergraduate to post-graduate programs responsive to human resource needs in Tarlac and Region III.
- Laboratory school for basic education operates under the College of Education.
Governing Board Composition
- Board of Regents functions as the Governing Board, chaired by the CHED Chairperson (or designated commissioner) and co-chaired by TSU President.
- Members include Senate and House education committee chairs (or representatives), regional directors from NEDA and DOST, federation presidents from faculty, students and alumni, representative of non-teaching personnel, and two private sector representatives.
- Private sector representatives serve a two-year term following selection from a qualified list recommended by a search committee.
Powers and Duties of the Governing Board
- Promulgate university policies consistent with state and CHED educational mandates.
- Approve curricula, academic programs, and rules of discipline.
- Appoint university officials including the President, vice presidents, deans, and faculty.
- Determine salaries, leave policies, and administer personnel actions in compliance with compensation laws.
- Fix tuition and school charges; maintain special trust funds from fees and income.
- Adopt socialized tuition schemes to aid poor but deserving students.
- Establish professional chairs, provide scholarships and fellowships.
- Receive and appropriate funds for University support.
- Set admission and graduation policies.
- Award honorary degrees and certificates for non-degree courses.
- Establish research and extension centers.
- Form academic and institutional development linkages locally and internationally.
- Promote modern and innovative knowledge transmission methods including distance and flexible learning.
- Collaborate with other SUCs for efficiency and competitiveness.
- Authorize management audits and institute reforms based on findings.
- Enter joint ventures and manage university assets.
- Accept donations and administer them according to donor conditions.
- Extend Presidential terms beyond retirement age under standards.
- Delegate powers as needed to expedite university administration.
- Establish guidelines for participative governance and transparency.
- Privatize non-academic services where advantageous.
- Authorize construction, repair, acquisition of properties, and promulgate necessary rules.
Board Meetings
- Regular meetings are held quarterly; special meetings called with at least three days’ notice.
- Quorum consists of a majority of members including either the Chairperson or the University President.
- CHED Chairperson or designated Commissioner presides; in their absence, the President of TSU serves as presiding officer.
- Members may designate written proxies from their committees in Board meetings.
- Board members receive reimbursement of expenses and may be entitled to honoraria as per DBM guidelines.
- Urgent resolutions may be approved by referendum signed by the majority of Board members.
Administration
- The University has corporate powers under RA No. 11232 and is administered exclusively by the Governing Board.
- The University President manages day-to-day operations and implements Board policies and academic objectives.
University President
- The President is appointed by the Governing Board, based on a Search Committee’s recommendation.
- Serves a four-year term, eligible for reappointment.
- Minimum qualifications include Filipino citizenship, a doctorate degree, high-level administrative experience, and clearances from justice and administrative agencies.
- The Search Committee evaluates candidates on professional competence, academic background, public presentation, and panel interview.
- In vacancy, an Officer-in-Charge with requisite qualifications is designated; a new Search Committee is constituted within six months.
- The President’s salary follows the Salary Standardization Law and includes benefits like RATA and retirement entitlements.
Other University Officials
- Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs, Administration, and Research appointed upon recommendation and qualification standards.
- Deans head academic colleges; Directors manage major functional offices.
- Duties, responsibilities, and performance oversight by the University President.
- RATA and honoraria granted subject to DBM rules and fund availability.
- Secretary appointed by the Board handles records and meeting notices.
- The Treasurer of the Philippines serves ex officio as University Treasurer.
Councils
- Administrative Council: Composed of President, Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors; reviews and recommends administrative policies.
- Academic Council: Composed of President and academic staff rank assistant professor and above; reviews curricular offerings, student policies, and discipline rules. Both councils have internal rules and quorum requirements.
Faculty
- Faculty includes professors, associate and assistant professors, and instructors.
- Appointments based on merit, qualifications, and competency, in compliance with Civil Service laws and University standards.
- Prohibits discrimination based on political, gender, cultural, ethnic, or religious grounds.
- Faculty enjoy compensation, benefits, and may receive honoraria for research, extension, and overload services.
Miscellaneous Provisions
- Scholarships and financial assistance programs for financially challenged students; non-discrimination in admissions.
- Authority to loan or transfer government apparatus, supplies, and personnel to TSU upon request.
- University assets, personnel, and liabilities remain under TSU's name; land titles are secured, reverting to government if TSU ceases.
- Importation of educational and cultural books exempt from customs duties upon CHED/TESDA certification.
- Annual report submitted to the President and Congress through CHED on University progress.
Final Provisions
- RA No. 8292 and its IRR are supplementary and integral.
- Current employees retained on effectivity; new structures to be approved by the Governing Board.
- Faculty, student, and alumni associations must federate within one year or end of term.
- Appropriations are included in the General Appropriations Act.
- Parity clause extends similar powers and responsibilities to TSU as other state universities.
- Invalid provisions do not affect the rest of the IRR.
- Repeals conflicting laws and rules.
- Effective 15 days after publication and registration with ONAR.