Law Summary
Purpose
- General objective: Prescribe procedures for creation of new SUCs and conversion/elevation of public schools to higher education institutions.
- Specific objectives:
- Establish only one state university per region.
- Establish only one state college per province.
- Avoid duplication of program offerings within provinces.
- Ensure state colleges offer programs aligned with provincial/regional development needs.
Establishment of State Universities and Colleges
- Establishment must be pursuant to law.
- Requires favorable recommendation from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
- Conditions include:
- Establishment in areas without existing higher education institutions.
- No establishment in provinces with private colleges within 50 km radius.
- Programs must meet community needs without duplicating existing course offerings.
- Minimum enrollment: 100 students per course; total enrollment of at least 2,500 for universities and 1,500 for colleges.
Plan of Action
- A proposed SUC must have a feasibility study responsive to the needs of its service area and compliant with establishment criteria.
Conversion and Elevation Requirements
Conversion from High School to College
- Institutional capability:
- Graduates must average at least 75% in National Secondary Admission Test (NSAT) for 3 years.
- School head must hold a doctorate from a Level II institution and have sufficient teaching and administrative experience.
- Department heads must hold master’s degrees preferably from Level II institutions.
- Faculty:
- At least 50% must hold master’s degrees; at least 5% doctorate degrees.
- Must comply with CHED faculty/staff regulations.
- Library:
- At least 5,000 non-duplicating book titles, editions not older than 5 years.
- Seating capacity for 25% of total institution population.
- Facilities:
- Adequate site, buildings, student and office spaces.
- Compliance with all other CHED requirements.
Conversion from College to University
- Institutional capability:
- Admission policies must be established.
- Average licensure examination passing rates must exceed national averages over 5 years.
- University head must have a doctorate from a Level III institution with relevant experience.
- College deans must have master’s degrees and administrative experience.
- Faculty:
- At least 50% master’s degree holders and 25% doctorate degree holders.
- Comply with CHED standards for faculty qualifications.
- Library:
- At least 8,000 non-duplicating book titles; 10,000 volumes total, editions within 5 years.
- Seating capacity for 30% of university population.
- Facilities:
- Adequate infrastructure for students, faculty, staff and administration.
- Adherence to all CHED orders and issuances.
Budget
- Proposed budgets must align with Commission-approved programs.
- Budgets must not exceed those of existing institutions unless justified by factors such as student population, program offerings, staffing, and infrastructure.
Networking
- Colleges and universities should develop linkages and networks with other institutions to enhance efficiency and complementarity.
Implementing Regulations
- CHED, in consultation with PASUC and other bodies, shall formulate guidelines for enforcement and implementation of these rules.
Repealing Clause
- All orders or regulations inconsistent with these rules are repealed or modified accordingly.
Separability Clause
- If any part of these rules is declared invalid, other provisions remain effective.
Effectivity Clause
- These rules take effect upon CHED approval and full publication in a newspaper of general circulation or the Official Gazette.