AN ACT CONVERTING THE ILOILO STATE COLLEGE OF FISHERIES IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAROTAC NUEVO

Case Overview and Summary

Summary:

Conversion of Iloilo State College of Fisheries into Iloilo State University of Science and Technology
- Section 1: Converts Iloilo State College of Fisheries and its campuses into Iloilo State University of Science and Technology, integrating Barotac Nuevo Polytechnic Institute.
- Main campus located in Barangay Ilaya Poblacion, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.

General Mandate
- Section 2: Provide advanced education, higher technological and professional instruction in fisheries technology, arts and sciences, education, industrial technology, engineering, aquaculture, seaweed farming and related fields.
- Undertake research, extension services and production activities.

Academic Freedom and Institutional Autonomy
- Section 3: The University shall enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

Curricular Offerings
- Section 4: Offer undergraduate and graduate programs in marine biology, fisheries, ICT, arts and sciences, industrial technology, teacher education, engineering and related courses.
- Operate a reasonably-sized laboratory school if it has a College of Education.

Administration
- Section 5: The University shall have general powers of a corporation.
- Administration vested in the Board of Regents and the President.

The Governing Board (Board of Regents)
- Section 6: Composition of the Board of Regents.
- Includes CHED Chairperson, University President, representatives from Senate, House of Representatives, NEDA, DOST, faculty, students, alumni, and two prominent citizens.

Powers and Duties of the Board of Regents
- Section 7: Detailed list of powers and duties of the Board, including:
• Promulgate policies and rules
• Receive and appropriate funds for the University (Section 7c)
• Import books and publications (Section 7d)
• Receive donations and administer them (Section 7e)
• Fix tuition fees and other charges (Section 7f)
• Adopt socialized tuition scheme for poor students (Section 7g)
• Authorize construction, repairs, and acquisition of property (Section 7h)
• Appoint officials and employees, fix salaries (Section 7i, 7j)
• Approve curricula and rules of discipline (Section 7k)
• Set admission and graduation policies (Section 7l)
• Award honorary degrees (Section 7m)
• Establish branches and centers (Section 7n)
• Establish research and extension centers (Section 7o)
• Establish professorial chairs and scholarships (Section 7p)
• Delegate powers to the President (Section 7q)
• Authorize external management audit (Section 7r)
• Collaborate with other state universities (Section 7s)
• Enter joint ventures (Section 7t)
• Develop consortia and linkages (Section 7u)
• Develop academic arrangements (Section 7v)
• Adopt modern modes of knowledge transmission (Section 7w)
• Set guidelines for participative decision-making (Section 7x)
• Privatize non-academic services (Section 7y)
• Extend term of outstanding University President (Section 7z)

Meetings of the Board
- Section 8: Regulations on Board meetings, quorum, and attendance.

The University President
- Section 9: The University shall be headed by a President appointed by the Board.
- Term of 4 years, eligible for reappointment.
- Incumbent ISCOF President to serve as first University President.

Other University Officials
- Section 10: Board shall appoint a Secretary.
- Section 11: Treasurer of the Philippines as ex officio Treasurer.
- Section 12: Administrative Council to review policies.
- Section 13: Academic Council to review curricula and rules.

The Faculty
- Section 14: No discrimination in faculty appointment based on beliefs, gender, culture, or religion.

Scholarship Program and Admission
- Section 15: Provide scholarship program and affirmative action for poor students.
- No denial of admission based on sex, religion, culture or ethnicity.

Authority to Loan Equipment and Detail Personnel
- Section 16: Government offices authorized to loan equipment and detail employees to the University.

Assets, Liabilities and Personnel
- Section 17: All assets, personnel, records and liabilities of converted institutions transferred to the University.
- Tenure of personnel respected.
- Government lands occupied by the institutions declared University property.

Tax Exemptions
- Section 18: Exemption from customs duties on imported books.
- Donations to the University exempt from donor's tax.

Appropriations
- Section 19: Funding from current ISCOF appropriations and annual General Appropriations Act.

Development Plan, Management Audit, Organizational Structure
- Section 20: Within 120 days, the University shall:
• Submit 5-year development plan to CHED
• Undergo management audit
• Set up organizational, administrative and academic structure

Reporting
- Section 21: Board to file annual report to the President and Congress.

Application of Other Laws
- Section 22: Provisions of Higher Education Modernization Act shall be part of the University's charter.
- Section 23: Other powers and privileges of state universities shall be granted to the University.

Compliance with CHED Requirements
- Section 24: University status effective upon CHED determination of compliance with requirements, including accreditation levels, faculty-student ratio, facilities, research output, linkages and policies.
- Requirements to be met by January 1, 2016.

Implementing Rules
- Section 25: Board to formulate implementing rules with CHED.

Separability Clause
- Section 26: If any part is declared invalid, remaining provisions remain in effect.

Repealing Clause
- Section 27: Repeals inconsistent laws, orders and rules.

Effectivity
- Section 28: Act effective 15 days after publication in newspapers.