General Mandate
- UA is mandated to provide advanced education, higher technological, professional instruction, and training.
- Focus fields include education, agriculture, forestry, fishery, maritime education, ecology, engineering, philosophy, ICT, arts and sciences, nursing, medicine, and other relevant fields.
- UA is tasked to undertake research and extension services supporting socioeconomic development in Antique.
- It shall provide progressive leadership within its specializations.
Curricular Offerings
- UA shall offer undergraduate and graduate studies in specified key fields.
- New degree programs require prior approval from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
- Existing high schools under the PSCA are transferred to the Department of Education (DepED) but may continue temporarily on campus until current students graduate.
- UA may operate a laboratory school if it has a College of Education.
Administration and Corporate Powers
- UA has general corporate powers under the Corporation Code of the Philippines (Batas Pambansa Blg. 68).
- The Board of Regents and the University President exclusively exercise governance and corporate powers.
Governing Board Composition
- The Board of Regents includes key government and university officials such as:
- Chairperson of CHED (Chairperson of the Board)
- University President (Vice Chairperson)
- Chairpersons of relevant Senate and House committees
- Regional Directors of NEDA and DOST
- Presidents of faculty, student, and alumni federations
- Two prominent private sector citizens appointed for two-year terms
- Terms for federation presidents align with their respective organizational constitutions.
Policy Formulation and Implementation
- The Board shall promulgate policies consistent with the Philippine Constitution and CHED policies, including education, agriculture, science, and technology sectors.
Specific Powers and Duties of the Board
- Promulgate necessary rules and regulations for UA functions.
- Manage and appropriate all University funds.
- Import duty-free economic, technical, and cultural books with CHED certification.
- Accept and administer donations with specified benefits and limitations.
- Fix tuition and school fees, creating special trust funds for income.
- Implement a socialized tuition scheme to aid poor but deserving students.
- Approve construction, purchase, appointments, and salaries within the University.
- Approve curricula, instructional programs, admission, graduation policies, and student discipline rules.
- Award honorary degrees and certificates for nondegree courses.
- Establish and absorb nonchartered institutions as branches or extension centers.
- Set up research and extension centers and professorial chairs.
- Delegate powers to expedite administration when necessary.
- Authorize external management audits and institute reforms.
- Collaborate with other universities and local government units (LGUs).
- Enter into joint ventures and develop economic linkages.
- Utilize modern education modes like distance learning and ICT.
- Establish transparency and participative decision-making.
- Privatize nonacademic services if advantageous.
- Extend University President’s term beyond retirement age based on performance.
Board Meetings
- Regular quarterly meetings; up to two special meetings with notice.
- Quorum requires majority of board members including the CHED Chairperson or University President.
- Provisions for designated representatives when key members are absent.
- Board members receive no salary but reimbursement for authorized expenses.
University President
- Appointed by the Board after a search committee recommendation, with a four-year term and one reappointment eligibility.
- Incumbent PSCA President may serve as first UA President if qualified.
- Presidential vacancies filled by an Officer-in-Charge for unexpired term.
- President’s duties include usual university presidential roles and delegated responsibilities.
- Salary adheres to the Revised Compensation and Position Classification System.
Campus Directors
- Full-time Campus Directors appointed by the Board upon recommendations.
- Incumbent college administrators of extension campuses serve as Directors until replaced.
Administrative Council
- Composed of University President (Chair), Vice Presidents, deans, directors, and equal-rank officials.
- Reviews and recommends administrative, management, and development policies.
Academic Council
- Composed of University President (Chair) and all academic staff ranked Assistant Professor or higher.
- Reviews and recommends curricular offerings and disciplinary rules.
- Sets admission and graduation requirements, subject to Board approval.
- Exercises disciplinary authority over students.
University Secretary
- Board-appointed secretary responsible for records and proceedings of the Board and University.
- Issues notice of Board meetings to members.
University Treasurer
- Treasurer of the Philippines serves as ex officio Treasurer of the University.
Faculty Appointment
- No discrimination based on political, gender, cultural, ethnic, or religious grounds in faculty appointments.
- Faculty shall not teach for or against any religious sect.
- Appointments subject to Board guidelines and standards.
Scholarship and Admission Policies
- Scholarship and affirmative action programs for poor but deserving students.
- No admission discrimination based on sex, religion, cultural, community affiliation, or ethnic origin.
Academic Freedom and Autonomy
- UA shall enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy as guaranteed by the Constitution.
Authority to Loan or Transfer Equipment and Personnel
- Heads of national bureaus/offices may loan/transfer apparatus, equipment, supplies, and detail employees upon UA President’s request.
- Detailed employees’ service counts as regular service time.
Transfer of Assets and Personnel
- All assets, liabilities, personnel, and records of PSCA transferred to UA.
- Faculty and personnel positions, rights, and security of tenure are preserved.
- Government land occupied by PSCA becomes UA property; reverts to LGUs if UA ceases or land no longer needed.
Appropriations
- Initial funding charged to PSCA’s current appropriations, except high school operations.
- UA funding to be included in subsequent General Appropriations Acts.
Development Plan and Management Audit
- UA to submit a five-year development plan and budget to CHED within 120 days of law approval.
- Undergo management audit with CHED cooperation.
- Establish organizational, administrative, and academic structures including key official appointments.
CHED Monitoring and Compliance
- CHED monitors and evaluates UA compliance with university status requirements.
- CHED may recommend revocation of university status to Congress if compliance lapses.
Annual Reporting
- Board shall file detailed report on UA progress, conditions, and needs annually to the Office of the President, CHED, and Congress.
Application of Higher Education Modernization Act
- Provisions of Republic Act No. 8292 apply as part of the UA Governing Charter.
Parity Clause
- UA and its officials shall hold similar powers and responsibilities granted to other state universities.
Policy Formulation
- Board, with CHED consultation, formulates rules to implement the Act’s provisions.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any part of the Act does not affect the remaining provisions.
Repealing Clause
- Inconsistent laws, decrees, orders, and regulations are repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- Act takes effect 15 days after publication in two newspapers of general circulation.