General Mandate
- Provides advanced education, technological, professional training in science, education, agriculture, fishery, industrial fields, and relevant areas.
- Undertakes research, extension services, and programs in food production, nutrition, health, and sports development.
- Provides leadership in its areas of specialization.
Academic Freedom and Autonomy
- Enjoys academic freedom and institutional autonomy pursuant to the Philippine Constitution (Article XIV, Section 5, paragraph 2).
Curricular Offerings
- Offers undergraduate and graduate studies in specialized fields according to capabilities and local/regional needs.
- May operate a laboratory school if it has an Institute of Education.
Administration and Corporate Powers
- Possesses corporate powers as set in the Corporation Code of the Philippines (Batas Pambansa Blg. 68).
- Administration and corporate powers vested in the Board of Trustees and the College President.
Governing Board Composition
- Board of Trustees includes:
- Chairperson of CHED (Chairperson).
- College President (Vice Chairperson).
- Chairpersons of Senate and House Committees on Education.
- Regional Directors of NEDA and Department of Agriculture.
- Presidents of faculty association, student council, alumni association.
- Two prominent private sector citizens appointed from qualified nominees.
- Terms for association presidents are coterminous with their respective office terms; private citizens serve two-year terms.
Board’s Powers and Duties
- Promulgates policies consistent with state education goals and CHED policies.
- Adopts rules necessary for the College's functions.
- Manages and appropriates funds including tuition fees and income; retains generated income for College use.
- Fixes tuition fees and imposes socialized tuition schemes.
- Approves construction projects, appointments, salaries (subject to compensation laws), and disciplinary rules.
- Awards honorary degrees and certificates for non-degree courses.
- Can establish branches and research centers, professorial chairs, linkages, and modern educational methods.
- Delegates powers to officers, authorizes management audits, collaborates with other institutions.
- Manages economic assets, privatizes non-academic services, and may extend the College President’s term up to age 70.
Board Meetings
- Regular meetings quarterly; special meetings with notice as necessary.
- Quorum requires majority including CHED Chairperson or College President.
- Representatives may substitute for absent board members.
- Members not salaried but reimbursed for actual expenses.
College President
- Full-time head of College appointed by Board based on search committee recommendation.
- Serves four-year term, eligible for one reappointment.
- Vacancy filled by an Officer-in-Charge appointed by Board.
- Duties include those customary to similar institutions, plus delegated powers.
- Salary subject to Revised Compensation and Position Classification System.
- Assisted by a Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Administrative Council
- Composed of President, Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors.
- Reviews and recommends policies on management and development planning to the Board.
Academic Council
- Includes President and academic staff ranking assistant professor or higher.
- Reviews curricular offerings and disciplinary rules, recommends to Board.
- Fixes student admission, graduation requirements, and exercises disciplinary power.
Secretary and Treasurer
- Board appoints Secretary who keeps records and notifies members of meetings.
- Treasurer of the Philippines serves as ex officio Treasurer of the College.
Faculty Appointment
- No inquiry into political beliefs, gender, culture, religion for appointments.
- Appointment subject to Board standards.
- Faculty prohibited from teaching for or against any religious sect.
Scholarship and Admission
- Provides scholarships and affirmative actions for poor but deserving students.
- Prohibits denial of admission based on sex, religion, or ethnicity.
Loan or Transfer of Government Apparatus/Personnel
- National government agencies may loan apparatus, equipment, or personnel upon College President’s request.
- Detailed personnel duties count as regular service.
Campus Site and Assets
- Must have not less than five hectares for campus use; three contiguous hectares minimum.
- Board recommends suitable site within Talisay City.
- Land titled to College; reverts to LGU if College abolished or land unused.
Tax Exemptions
- Duty-free importation of economic, technical, and cultural books upon CHED certification.
- Donations exempt from donor’s tax and deductible for income tax purposes.
Appropriations
- Funds necessary for the College included in subsequent General Appropriations Acts.
Development Plan and Management Audit
- Within 120 days of approval:
- Submit five-year development and budget plan to CHED for DBM recommendation.
- Undergo management audit with CHED.
- Establish organizational, administrative, and academic structures including key officials.
Reporting
- Annual detailed progress report to the Office of the President, CHED Chairperson, and Congress within 15 days after beginning of regular classes.
Supplentory Application
- Republic Act No. 8292 (Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997) applies as part of this Act’s governing charter.
Parity Clause
- Powers, functions, responsibilities of other state colleges apply to this College when appropriate.
Compliance with CHED Requirements for College Status
- College status effective only upon CHED determination of compliance after expert panel review.
- Operational requirements include:
- Level III accreditation or equivalent in specified undergraduate and graduate programs.
- Qualified faculty-to-student ratio.
- Adequate library and labs.
- Practical research output.
- Relevant linkages and outreach.
- Appropriate academic policies.
- Institution must comply by January 1, 2016, or revert to prior status.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- Board with CHED formulates guidelines to implement Act provisions.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any provision does not affect remaining parts of the Act.
Repealing Clause
- Laws or regulations inconsistent with this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- Act takes effect 15 days after publication in two newspapers of general circulation.