Law Summary
General Mandate
- Provides advanced education, technological, professional instruction in science, education, agriculture, fishery, industrial fields.
- Undertakes research, extension services in food production, nutrition, health, sports.
- Provides progressive leadership in specialized fields.
Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy
- College enjoys academic freedom and institutional autonomy per the Philippine Constitution (Art. XIV, Sec. 5, par. 2).
Curricular Offerings
- Offers undergraduate and graduate programs within its specialization areas.
- May operate a laboratory school if it has an Institute of Education.
Administration
- Operates with corporate powers under Batas Pambansa Blg. 68 (Corporation Code).
- Administered by Board of Trustees and College President.
Governing Board Composition
- Board consists of Chair of CHED (Chairperson), College President (Vice-Chairperson), Congressional education committee chairs, regional directors of NEDA and DA, presidents of faculty, student, and alumni associations, and two prominent private citizens.
- Private citizens appointed for 2-year terms from qualified nominees.
- Terms of association representatives aligned with their respective associations.
Powers and Duties of Board of Trustees
- Policy formulation consistent with Philippine education laws and CHED policies.
- Regulatory authority for college governance.
- Manages funds, including tuition fees and government subsidies held as special trust funds.
- Can implement socialized tuition scheme for deserving poor students.
- Authority to manage property, personnel appointments, and set compensation.
- Power to award honorary degrees, certificates for non-degree courses.
- Can absorb non-chartered tertiary institutions as branches.
- Establishes research centers, professorial chairs, and scholarships.
- Delegates powers to President or officials for efficient administration.
- Can authorize management audits and reforms.
- Facilitates cooperation with other state colleges and LGUs.
- Promotes partnerships with business, industry, and other institutions.
- Adopts modern teaching modalities like open learning and distance education.
- Establishes transparent and participative decision-making.
- May privatize nonacademic services for efficiency.
- May extend President’s term up to age 70 if performance is outstanding.
Meetings of the Board
- Regular meetings quarterly; special meetings upon notice.
- Quorum is majority including CHED Chairperson or designated Commissioner.
- Congressional committee chairs may designate representatives.
- Board members receive no salaries but may be reimbursed for expenses.
College President
- Full-time position appointed by Board for 4-year term, renewable once.
- Appointment based on search committee recommendation and Board guidelines.
- Officer-in-Charge appointed by CHED Chair pending first President’s appointment.
- Powers and duties include usual executive functions and Board delegation.
- Salary fixed according to government pay scales.
- Supported by Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Administrative Council
- Composed of President (Chair), Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors, and equivalent officials.
- Reviews and recommends administrative and development policies.
Academic Council
- Includes President (Chair) and academic staff of at least assistant professor rank.
- Reviews curricular offerings, student discipline, admission, and graduation policies.
- Has disciplinary jurisdiction over students.
College Secretary and Treasurer
- Secretary appointed by Board serves both College and Board, handles records and notices.
- Treasurer of the Philippines is ex officio College treasurer.
Faculty
- Appointment free from inquiry into political beliefs, gender, culture, ethnicity, religion.
- Appointments subject to Board standards.
- Faculty prohibited from teaching biased religious doctrine.
Scholarship and Admission Policies
- Scholarship and affirmative action programs for qualified poor students.
- No admission denial based on sex, religion, culture, or ethnicity.
Authority for Loan/Transfer of Government Apparatus and Personnel
- Presidents of national agencies may loan equipment and detail employees to the College.
- Time worked by detailed employees counts as regular government service.
Campus Site and Assets
- College to have at least 5 hectares land, minimum 3 contiguous hectares for main campus.
- Land titled to College; reverts to LGU if College abolished or land no longer needed.
Tax Exemption
- Importation of educational materials exempt from customs duties upon CHED certification.
- Donations to College exempt from donor’s tax and deductible from donor’s income tax.
Appropriations
- Funds to be included in annual General Appropriations Act after enactment.
Development Plan and Management Audit
- Within 120 days post-approval, College must submit a 5-year development plan, undergo management audit, organize structure, and appoint key officials.
Reporting
- Board must file annual progress report with the President, CHED Chair, and Congress.
Incorporation of RA 8292
- Education Modernization Act provisions apply as part of the College’s Governing Charter.
Parity Clause
- Powers and responsibilities granted or imposed on other state colleges extended to this College as appropriate.
Compliance with CHED Requirements for College Status
- Effectiveness of establishment contingent on CHED certification of compliance with operational standards including accreditation, faculty qualifications, facilities, research output, linkages, and policies.
- Institution must comply by January 1, 2016, or revert to prior status.
Implementing Rules
- Board, with CHED, will formulate implementing rules and guidelines.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any part does not affect other provisions.
Repealing Clause
- Conflicting laws and regulations repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- Law takes effect 15 days after publication in two national newspapers.