AN ACT CONVERTING THE POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE OF ANTIQUE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SIBALOM INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE UNIVERSITY OF ANTIQUE

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 9746

Conversion of Polytechnic State College of Antique into University of Antique
- Section 1: Converts the Polytechnic State College of Antique (PSCA) in Sibalom, Antique, including its extension campuses in Hamtic and Tibiao, into the University of Antique (UA), with the main campus in Sibalom.

General Mandate
- Section 2: The University shall primarily provide advanced education, higher technological and professional instruction in fields like education, agriculture, forestry, fishery, maritime education, ecology, engineering, philosophy, ICT, arts and sciences, nursing, medicine, and other relevant fields. It shall undertake research and extension services to support socioeconomic development of Antique.

Curricular Offerings
- Section 3: The University shall offer undergraduate and graduate courses in its areas of specialization as approved by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Existing high schools shall be transferred to the Department of Education, but a reasonably-sized laboratory school may be operated if there is a College of Education.

Administration
- Section 4: The University shall have general corporate powers. 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 (Chair), University President (Vice Chair), Chairs of Senate and House education committees, NEDA and DOST Regional Directors, presidents of faculty, student, and alumni federations, and two prominent private sector representatives appointed by the Board for two-year terms.

Policies and Powers of the Board
- Section 6: The Board shall promulgate policies in accordance with state policies on higher education.
- Section 7: The Board shall have powers including promulgating rules, receiving funds, importing duty-free books, receiving donations (exempt from donor's tax), fixing tuition and other fees, adopting socialized schemes, authorizing construction and repairs, appointing personnel, fixing salaries, approving curricula, setting admission and graduation policies, awarding degrees, establishing branches and centers, establishing research and extension centers, providing fellowships and scholarships, delegating powers, authorizing audits, collaborating with other institutions, entering joint ventures, developing consortia, adopting innovative teaching modes, setting participative decision-making policies, and privatizing non-academic services.

Board Meetings
- Section 8: The Board shall convene at least quarterly, with provisions for special meetings, quorum, and reimbursements for expenses.

The University President
- Section 9: The University shall be headed by a President appointed by the Board for a 4-year term, renewable once. Provisions for vacancy and transition to first President.

Campus Heads
- Section 10: Campus Directors shall head the campuses and be appointed by the Board, with incumbent administrators serving initially.

Administrative and Academic Councils
- Section 11: An Administrative Council shall review and recommend policies on administration, management, and planning.
- Section 12: An Academic Council shall review and recommend curricula, rules of discipline, admission and graduation requirements.

University Secretary and Treasurer
- Section 13: The Board shall appoint a Secretary.
- Section 14: The Treasurer of the Philippines shall be the ex officio Treasurer.

Faculty and Admission
- Section 15: No discrimination in faculty appointment based on beliefs, gender, culture, or religion.
- Section 16: The University shall provide scholarships and admission without discrimination.

Academic Freedom and Autonomy
- Section 17: The University shall enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

Resource Sharing
- Section 18: Government offices may loan equipment and detail personnel to the University.

Assets, Liabilities, and Personnel
- Section 19: Assets, liabilities, personnel, and records of PSCA shall be transferred to UA. Tenured faculty rights shall be respected. Government lands occupied by PSCA shall be property of UA.

Appropriations
- Section 20: Funding shall initially come from PSCA appropriations, then included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Development Plan and Organizational Structure
- Section 21: Within 120 days, UA shall submit a 5-year development plan to CHED, undergo a management audit, and set up its organizational and academic structure.

CHED Monitoring and Reporting
- Section 22: CHED shall monitor compliance for University status and may recommend revocation.
- Section 23: The Board shall annually report to the President and Congress on the University's progress.

Other Provisions
- Section 24: The Higher Education Modernization Act shall be part of UA's charter.
- Section 25: UA shall have powers and privileges of state universities.
- Section 26: The Board shall formulate implementing rules with CHED.
- Section 27: Separability clause.
- Section 28: Repealing clause for inconsistent laws.
- Section 29: Effectivity 15 days after publication in newspapers.