Conversion of Occidental Mindoro State College to University

General Mandate of OMSU

Provide advanced instruction and professional training in various fields including education, engineering, arts, technology, agriculture, forestry, etc.
Undertake research, extension services, and production activities supporting socio-economic development.
Focus on the preservation of Tamaraws and indigenous peoples within Occidental Mindoro and the MIMAROPA region.

Curricular Offerings

Offer undergraduate and graduate programs in specialized fields aligned with regional human resource needs.
Operate a laboratory school if it has a College of Education.
Continue reasonably sized senior high school and elementary school operations supervised by the College of Education.

Administration

OMSU has general corporate powers as per the Corporation Code of the Philippines.
Corporate powers are exclusively vested in the Board of Regents and the University President.

The Governing Board

Board of Regents chaired by CHED Chairperson, co-chaired by OMSU President.
Composed of legislative committee chairs, government regional directors, university federation presidents, and two private sector representatives.
Private representatives appointed for two-year terms based on qualifications.
Faculty, student, and alumni federation presidents serve during their official terms.

Powers and Duties of the Board of Regents

Establish policies aligned with constitutional and CHED mandates.
Approve curricula, instructional programs, and rules of discipline.
Appoint university officials and faculty upon recommendations.
Fix salaries and grant benefits in accordance with applicable laws.
Set tuition and fees; income forms special trust funds for OMSU benefit.
Implement socialized tuition schemes per RA 10931.
Establish professional chairs, scholarships, and fellowships.
Manage university funds, assets, and authorize expenditures.
Grant honorary degrees and certificates.
Create research and extension centers.
Foster academic links, adopt innovative teaching methods.
Collaborate in restructuring with other institutions.
Absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions as extensions.
Authorize management audits and institute reforms.
Develop linkages with LGUs and institutions.
Enter into joint ventures; receive and manage donations.
Extend university president's term for outstanding performance.
Delegate powers to expedite administration.
Ensure transparency and adopt privatization of nonacademic services.
Authorize construction, maintenance, and acquisition of property.
Promulgate necessary rules and regulations.

Meetings of the Board

Regular meetings every three months; special meetings as needed.
Quorum requires majority including Chairperson or President.
CHED Chairperson may authorize a Commissioner as representative.
Legislative committee chairs may send representatives.
Board members receive no salary but are entitled to reimbursements for expenses.

The University President

Full-time appointed official with a 4-year term, eligible for reappointment.
Incumbent OMSC President may serve as first OMSU President if qualified.
Vacancies filled by Officer-in-Charge for unexpired term.
Duties include usual presidential responsibilities and Board delegation.
Salary aligned with Salary Standardization Law.
Assisted by Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs; Administration; Research, Development and Extension.

The Secretary of the University

Board-appointed Secretary serves both OMSU and Board.
Maintains records and issues meeting notices.

University Treasurer

Treasurer of the Philippines acts ex officio as OMSU Treasurer.

The Administrative Council

Composed of President, vice presidents, deans, directors and officials.
Reviews and recommends administrative policies.

The Academic Council

Composed of President and academic staff with at least assistant professor rank.
Formulates academic policies; recommends curricula and discipline rules.
Establishes admission and graduation requirements, confers degrees.
Exercises disciplinary power over students.

Heads of University Campuses

Campus Directors serve as heads of individual campuses with full-time service.
Appointed by Board upon recommendation.
Incumbent Campus Directors continue upon effectivity of the law.

Faculty Appointment

No inquiry into political belief, gender preference, cultural or ethnic origin, or religion in appointments.
Appointments subject to Board-set guidelines and standards.
Faculty shall not teach for or against religious sects.

Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy

OMSU enjoys academic freedom and institutional autonomy pursuant to the Constitution.

Scholarship Programs and Admission

Scholarship and affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving students.
Admission not denied based on gender, religion, cultural or ethnic origin, physical disability.

Authority to Loan or Transfer Apparatus, Equipment, and Personnel

Heads of government bureaus/offices may loan apparatus, equipment or detail employees to OMSU.
Employees detailed shall have service counted as regular service.

Assets, Liabilities, and Personnel

All OMSC assets, personnel, records, liabilities transferred to OMSU.
Existing rights and tenure of employees respected.
Positions retained until changed by Board.
Land titled to OMSU; reverts to LGU or government if unused or upon abolition.

Tax Exemptions

Importation of economic, technical, cultural books/publications exempt from customs duties upon CHED certification.
Grants, donations to OMSU exempt from donor’s tax and deductible by donors.

Compliance with CHED University Requirements

Effectiveness contingent on CHED determination based on compliance with CHED Memorandum Order No. 46, 2012.
Requirements include qualified full-time faculty, diverse degree offerings, research programs, resources, linkages, outreach.
CHED provides technical assistance and monitors compliance.
OMSC retains prior status until compliance achieved.

Development Plan, Audit, and Structure

Within 120 days of enactment: submit five-year development plan and budget to CHED and DBM.
Establish organizational, administrative and academic structure.
Undergo management audit with CHED.

Annual Reporting

Board to file annual progress report to the President, CHED, and both Houses of Congress.

Legal Integration and Parity

RA 8292 (Higher Education Modernization Act) applies as supplementary to this Act.
All other appropriate powers and responsibilities under existing laws apply to OMSU.

Appropriations

Initial funds charged to OMSC current appropriations.
Subsequent funding included in the General Appropriations Act annually.

Rules and Regulations

Board to formulate implementing rules and regulations within 60 days, in consultation with CHED.

Separability, Repealing and Effectivity Clauses

Invalid provisions do not affect remaining law.
Conflicting laws and rules repealed or amended.
Act takes effect 15 days after publication in Official Gazette or widely circulated newspaper.