Mandate, programs, and curriculum
- Section 2 requires the University to primarily provide advanced education, higher technological, professional instruction and training in agriculture and fishery, forestry, science and technology, education, arts and sciences, and other relevant fields of study.
- Section 2 requires the University to undertake research and extension services and provide progressive leadership in its areas of specialization.
- Section 3 requires the University to offer undergraduate and graduate courses in the fields of agriculture and fishery, forestry, science and technology, education, arts and science, and other courses within its areas of specialization and according to its capabilities as the Board of Regents may deem necessary.
- Section 3 requires degree programs to obtain Commission on Higher Education (CHED) approval before the Board of Regents approves the program.
- Section 3 transfers the existing high school to the Department of Education (DepED) jurisdiction and supervision, while allowing the high school to remain and operate within the University campus until the currently enrolled students complete high school.
- Section 3 allows the University to operate a reasonably-sized laboratory school if it has a College of Education.
University administration and governing board
- Section 4 vests the administration and exercise of corporate powers exclusively in the Board of Regents and the President of the University, with general powers of a corporation under Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, as amended (Corporation Code of the Philippines).
- Section 5 establishes the governing board as the Board of Regents with the following members:
- The Chairperson of CHED (Chairperson);
- The President of the University (Vice Chairperson);
- The Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture of the Senate (member);
- The Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the House of Representatives (member);
- The Regional Director of NEDA (member);
- The Regional Director of DOST (member);
- The Regional Director of DA (member);
- The President of the faculty association (member);
- The President of the student council (member);
- The President of the alumni association (member); and
- Two (2) prominent citizens from the private sector with distinguished professional or specialization credentials.
- Section 5 requires the Board to appoint the two prominent citizens from among a list of at least five (5) qualified persons in the Province of Romblon, based on nominations submitted after publication of at least two (2) consecutive weeks, as recommended by the search committee constituted by the University President in consultation with CHED’s Chairperson and other Board members.
- Section 5 provides that the terms of the Presidents of the faculty association, student council, and alumni association are coterminous with their respective constitution and bylaws.
- Section 5 sets the term of the two prominent citizens at two (2) years from the date of appointment.
- Section 6 requires the Board to promulgate and implement policies aligned with declared education state policies, constitutional provisions on education, agriculture, science and technology, and the CHED policies, standards, and thrusts under Republic Act No. 7722 (Higher Education Act of 1994).
Powers and duties of the Board
- Section 7 grants the Board the authority to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the University’s purposes and functions, provided they are not contrary to law.
- Section 7 authorizes the Board to receive and appropriate sums provided for University support in the manner it determines in its discretion to carry out University purposes and functions.
- Section 7 authorizes the Board to import duty-free economic, technical, and cultural books and/or publications upon CHED certification that these are for economic, technical, vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical or cultural purposes, consistent with the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended.
- Section 7 allows the Board to receive in trust legacies, gifts, and donations of real and personal properties of all kinds and administer and dispose of them for the benefit of the University, subject to donor limitations and directions.
- Section 7 provides that such donations are exempt from donor’s tax and considered allowable deductions from the donor’s gross income for income tax computation under the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended, and prohibits disposal, transfer, or sale of such donations.
- Section 7 authorizes the Board to fix tuition fees and other necessary school charges (including, but not limited to, matriculation fees, graduation fees, and laboratory fees) after due consultations with involved sectors.
- Section 7 provides that tuition fees and other charges, including government subsidies and other income generated by the University, constitute special trust funds deposited in an authorized government depository bank, with interests forming part of the same funds for University use.
- Section 7 mandates retention by the University of income generated from tuition fees and other charges, and from auxiliary services and land grants, for disbursement by the Board for instruction, research, extension, or other University programs/projects, while requiring that fiduciary fees be disbursed only for the specific purposes for which collected.
- Section 7 allows the Board, when prevented by reasons beyond its control from pursuing appropriated projects under its approved program of expenditures, to authorize use of those funds for any reasonable purpose necessary and urgent to attain University objectives and goals.
- Section 7 requires the Board to adopt and implement a socialized scheme of tuition and other school fees to expand access for poor but deserving students.
- Section 7 authorizes the Board to construct or repair University buildings, machinery, equipment, and other facilities, and to purchase or acquire real property and necessary supplies, materials, and equipment.
- Section 7 authorizes the Board to appoint, upon recommendation of the President, Vice Presidents, deans, directors, heads of departments, faculty members, and other officials and employees.
- Section 7 authorizes the Board to fix and adjust salaries of faculty and administrative officials and employees, subject to the Revised Compensation and Position Classification System and other pertinent budget compensation laws governing hours of service and other duties and conditions; to grant leaves of absence under regulations it promulgates; and to remove personnel for cause with due process.
- Section 7 empowers the Board to approve curricula, instructional programs, and rules of discipline drawn by the Administrative and Academic Councils.
- Section 7 requires the Board to set policies on admission and graduation of students.
- Section 7 authorizes the Board to award honorary degrees for outstanding contributions in education, public service, arts, science and technology, agriculture, or any academic competence field within the University, and to authorize certificates of completion of nondegree and nontraditional courses.
- Section 7 authorizes the Board to establish and absorb nonchartered tertiary institutions within the Province of Romblon as branches and centers coordinated with CHED and in consultation with DBM, and to offer programs or courses promoting equal access to educational opportunities mandated by the Constitution.
- Section 7 authorizes the Board to establish research and extension centers where these promote development of the University.
- Section 7 authorizes the Board to establish professional chairs and provide fellowships for qualified faculty and scholarships to deserving students.
- Section 7 authorizes delegation of Board powers and duties to the President and/or other officials to expedite University affairs.
- Section 7 authorizes an external management audit of the University to be financed by CHED and to be conducted subject to COA rules and regulations, including institution of reforms such as academic and structural changes based on audit results and recommendations.
- Section 7 authorizes collaboration with other governing boards within the Province of Romblon or Region [V-B] under CHED supervision and in consultation with DBM, and authorizes work toward restructuring for efficiency, relevance, productivity, and competitiveness.
- Section 7 authorizes joint ventures with business and industry for profitable development and management of University economic assets, with proceeds used for development and strengthening of the University.
- Section 7 authorizes development of consortia and other linkage forms with LGUs, institutions, and agencies (public and private, local and foreign) to further University purposes and objectives.
- Section 7 authorizes academic capability building arrangements with appropriate institutions and agencies (public or private, local or foreign) and authorizes appointment of experts/specialists as consultants or part-time/visiting/exchange professors, scholars, or researchers as the case may be.
- Section 7 authorizes setting up adoption of modern and innovative knowledge transmission modes such as information technology, dual learning system, open learning, distance education, and community laboratory to promote greater access to education.
- Section 7 authorizes policy guidelines and procedures for participative decision-making and transparency within the University.
- Section 7 authorizes privatization, where most advantageous, of management of nonacademic services such as health, food, and building or grounds/property maintenance, and similar activities.
- Section 7 authorizes extension of the President’s term beyond retirement age, but not beyond seventy (70), if unanimously rated outstanding by the Board based on Board guidelines/standards, after unanimous search committee recommendation.