General Mandate of the University
- Provide advanced education, professional instruction, and training in fields such as agriculture, environmental studies, fishery, engineering, forestry, industrial technology, education, law, medicine, IT, arts, and sciences.
- Undertake research and extension services.
- Provide progressive leadership in specialized areas.
Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy
- The University enjoys academic freedom and institutional autonomy in accordance with the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Article XIV, Section 5(2).
Curricular Offerings and High School Jurisdiction
- Offers undergraduate and graduate courses in its specialized fields and others deemed necessary by the Board of Regents.
- Existing high schools transferred to the Department of Education (DepED) jurisdiction but may operate on university campuses until current students graduate.
- University may operate a laboratory school under its College of Education.
Administration and Corporate Powers
- University has general corporate powers per Batas Pambansa Blg. 68 (Corporation Code of the Philippines).
- Administration vested in the Board of Regents and the University President exclusively.
Composition and Appointment of the Board of Regents
- Chairperson of CHED serves as Chair;
- University President is Vice Chair;
- Includes congressional education committee chairs, regional directors from NEDA, DOST, DA, presidents of faculty, student, alumni federations, and three prominent private sector citizens.
- Private sector citizens appointed from a shortlist by a search committee.
- Terms for federation presidents are coterminous with their respective offices; private citizens serve two-year terms.
Powers and Duties of the Board of Regents
- Promulgate policies consistent with State and CHED mandates.
- Enact rules and approve university budget and expenditures.
- Receive and administer donations and legacies.
- Fix and collect tuition and fees; establish socialized tuition schemes.
- Authorize construction, acquisitions, appointments, salary fixation, and disciplinary actions.
- Approve curricula, academic policies, admissions, and graduations.
- Award honorary degrees and certificates.
- Establish research centers, professorial chairs, scholarships.
- Authorize audits and restructure operations.
- Facilitate joint ventures, collaborations, and academic partnerships.
- Implement innovative educational modes such as open/distance learning.
- Privatize nonacademic services when beneficial.
- Extend the University President’s term beyond retirement age up to 70 under conditions.
Board Meetings and Quorum
- Regular quarterly meetings; special meetings called with notice.
- Quorum is majority present including Chair or University President.
- CHED Chair may designate a Commissioner as representative or presiding officer.
- Congressional committee chairs may appoint representatives.
- Board members receive no salary but may be reimbursed for expenses.
University President: Appointment and Term
- Appointed by Board based on search committee recommendation.
- Serves a four-year term, renewable once.
- Incumbent SSCT President serves as Officer-in-Charge initially.
- Vacancies filled by Officer-in-Charge acting for unexpired term.
- President assisted by two Vice Presidents.
- Salary governed by Revised Compensation and Position Classification System.
Campus Directors
- Heads of extension campuses appointed by the Board upon recommendations.
- Incumbent college administrators continue as campus directors initially.
University Secretary and Treasurer
- Secretary appointed by Board responsible for Board records and notices.
- Treasurer of the Philippines serves as ex officio Treasurer.
Administrative and Academic Councils
- Administrative Council: President (Chair), Vice Presidents, deans, directors, advising on administration and planning.
- Academic Council: President (Chair), academic staff (assistant professors and above), recommending curricular offerings and disciplinary rules.
- Power to set admission and graduation requirements, and student discipline subject to Board approval.
Faculty Appointments
- Appointment free from discrimination on political, religious, gender, cultural, or ethnic grounds.
- Faculty prohibited from promoting any religious sect.
- Subject to Board’s guidelines and standards.
Scholarship and Admission Policies
- Scholarship and affirmative action programs for deserving poor students.
- No discrimination in admission based on sex, religion, cultural affiliation, or ethnic origin.
Authority to Loan/Transfer Equipment and Personnel
- Heads of government bureaus may loan equipment and detail employees to the University if without detriment to service.
- Time served by detailed employees counts as regular service.
Transfer of Assets, Liabilities, and Personnel
- All assets and liabilities of SSCT, SNCST, and SNCAT transferred to SNSU.
- Positions and tenure of existing employees preserved.
- Property titles transferred to SNSU.
- Reversion clause if University is abolished or land not needed.
Tax Exemptions
- Importation of educational and cultural books exempt from customs duties with CHED certification.
- Donations to the University exempt from donor’s tax and deductible from donor’s income tax.
Appropriations
- Initial funding charged against SSCT, SNCST, and SNCAT appropriations.
- Subsequent funding from General Appropriations Act.
Development Plan and Management Audit
- Within 120 days, University must:
- Submit 5-year development plan with budget.
- Undergo management audit with CHED.
- Establish organizational, administrative, and academic structures.
Annual Reporting
- Board to file an annual detailed progress report to the President, CHED Chair, and Congress by second month of classes.
Supplentory Application and Parity Clause
- Republic Act No. 8292 governing higher education modernization applies.
- University granted powers and responsibilities common to state universities under existing laws.
Compliance and Effectivity of University Status
- University status effective only after CHED confirms compliance with operational requirements via expert panel.
- Requirements include accreditation levels, faculty qualifications, facilities, research output, community programs, and policies.
- Institution retains prior status until compliance or January 1, 2016, whichever comes first.
Implementing Rules
- Board, in consultation with CHED, to issue rules and regulations to implement the Act.
Separability and Repealing Clauses
- Invalid provisions do not affect remaining parts.
- Conflicting laws, orders, and rules repealed or modified.
Effectivity
- Act takes effect 15 days after publication in two newspapers of general circulation.