AN ACT CONVERTING THE CAMARINES SUR STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF PILI

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 9717:

Conversion of Camarines Sur State Agricultural College into Central Bicol State University of Agriculture
• Section 1: Converts the Camarines Sur State Agricultural College into the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture.

General Mandate
• Section 2: The University shall provide advanced instruction, research, extension, and development programs in agriculture, allied technological sciences, education, arts, and related sciences, particularly for the Bicol Region.

Curricular Offerings
• Section 3: The University shall offer undergraduate and graduate courses in agriculture, environmental management, engineering, education, arts and sciences, and other degree programs as approved by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
• The existing high school shall be transferred to the Department of Education, but a laboratory school may be operated if there is a College of Education.

Administration
• Section 4: The University shall have general corporate powers, and its administration shall be vested in the Board of Regents and the President.

The Governing Board
• Section 5: The governing board shall be the Board of Regents, composed of the CHED Chairperson (Chairperson), University President (Vice Chairperson), Chairpersons of Senate and House Education Committees, NEDA Regional Director, DA Regional Director, President of Faculty Association, President of Student Council, President of Alumni Association, and two prominent citizens appointed by the Board.
• Terms of office for the members are specified.

Powers and Duties of the Board of Regents
• Section 7: The Board shall have various powers and duties, including:
- Promulgating rules and regulations (7a)
- Receiving and appropriating funds for the University (7b)
- Importing duty-free books and publications (7c)
- Receiving donations and administering them (7d)
- Fixing tuition fees and other charges (7e)
- Adopting a socialized tuition scheme (7g)
- Authorizing construction, repairs, and acquisition of property (7h)
- Appointing University officials and employees (7i)
- Fixing and adjusting salaries (7j)
- Approving curricula, programs, and rules of discipline (7k)
- Setting admission and graduation policies (7l)
- Awarding honorary degrees and certificates (7m)
- Establishing branches and centers (7n)
- Establishing research and extension centers (7o)
- Establishing professional chairs and fellowships (7p)
- Delegating powers and duties (7q)
- Authorizing external management audits (7r)
- Collaborating with other governing boards (7s)
- Entering into joint ventures (7t)
- Developing consortia and linkages (7u)
- Developing academic arrangements (7v)
- Adopting modern modes of knowledge transmission (7w)
- Establishing policy guidelines for participative decision-making (7x)
- Privatizing non-academic services (7y)
- Extending the term of the President beyond retirement age (7z)

Meetings of the Board
• Section 8: The Board shall convene at least once every quarter, with provisions for special meetings and quorum requirements.

The University President
• Section 9: The University shall be headed by a President appointed by the Board for a term of four years, renewable for another term.
• The incumbent President of the Camarines Sur State Agricultural College shall become the first President of the University.
• Provisions for vacancy and designation of an Officer-in-Charge are included.

The Administrative Council
• Section 10: There shall be an Academic Council composed of the President and academic staff with at least the rank of Assistant Professor.
• The Academic Council shall review and recommend curricular offerings, rules of discipline, admission and graduation requirements, subject to the Board's approval.

The Secretary and Treasurer of the University
• Section 12: The Board shall appoint a Secretary for record-keeping.
• Section 13: The Treasurer of the Philippines shall be the ex officio Treasurer of the University.

The Faculty
• Section 14: No discrimination shall be made in the appointment of faculty members based on political beliefs, gender preference, cultural affiliation, ethnic origin, or religious opinion or affiliation.

Scholarship Program and Admission
• Section 15: The University shall provide a scholarship program and affirmative action programs to assist deserving students.
• No student shall be denied admission based on sex, religion, cultural affiliation, or ethnic origin.

Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy
• Section 16: The University shall enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

Authority to Loan or Transfer Apparatus, Equipment, Supplies, and Detail Personnel
• Section 17: Heads of government bureaus and offices are authorized to loan or transfer apparatus, equipment, supplies, and detail employees for duty in the University.

Assets, Liabilities, and Personnel
• Section 18: All assets, liabilities, personnel, and records of the Camarines Sur State Agricultural College shall be transferred to the University.
• Positions, rights, and tenure of personnel shall be respected.
• Government lands occupied by the College shall be titled under the University's name.

Appropriations
• Section 19: The amount necessary to implement the Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the Camarines Sur State Agricultural College, except for the existing high school.
• Subsequent funding shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Development Plan, Management Audit, Organizational/Administrative/Academic Structure
• Section 20: Within 120 days, the University shall:
- Submit a 5-year development plan with program budget to CHED
- Undergo a management audit in cooperation with CHED
- Set up its organizational, administrative, and academic structure

CHED Monitoring and Evaluation
• Section 21: CHED shall conduct regular monitoring and evaluation to determine continuing compliance with University status requirements.
• If non-compliance is found, CHED may recommend revocation of University status.

Filing of Report
• Section 22: The Board shall file a detailed report on the University's progress, conditions, and needs with the Office of the President and Congress annually.

Suppletory Application and Parity Clause
• Sections 23-24: The Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997 shall be part of the University's Charter, and all powers and privileges granted to state universities shall be granted to the University.

Implementing Rules and Regulations, Separability Clause, Repealing Clause, and Effectivity
• Sections 25-28: The Board, in consultation with CHED, shall formulate implementing rules and regulations.
• A separability clause is included.
• Inconsistent laws, decrees, orders, and regulations are repealed or modified.
• The Act shall take effect 15 days after publication in two newspapers of general circulation.