AN ACT CONVERTING THE TIBURCIO TANCINCO MEMORIAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN CALBAYOG CITY INTO A STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE NORTHWEST SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 9719

Conversion and Integration
- The Tiburcio Tancinco Memorial Institute of Science and Technology in Calbayog City is converted into the Northwest Samar State University, integrating the Samar State College of Agriculture and Forestry (SSCAF) in San Jorge. (Section 1)
- The main campus of the University shall be in Calbayog City. (Section 1)

General Mandate
- The University shall provide advanced education, higher technological, professional instruction and training in trade, fishery, agriculture, science, education, commerce, engineering, forestry, nautical courses and other related fields. (Section 2)
- It shall undertake research and extension services, and provide progressive leadership in its areas of specialization. (Section 2)

Curricular Offerings
- The University shall offer graduate, undergraduate, ladderized courses and short term technical courses within its areas of specialization. (Section 3)
- The existing high school in San Jorge campus shall be the high school laboratory of the Bachelor of Secondary Education under the College of Teacher Education. (Section 3)
- The University may operate a reasonably-sized laboratory school to serve as feeders to college courses for campuses offering teacher education curriculum. (Section 3)

Administration
- The administration of the University and the exercise of its corporate powers shall be vested in the Board of Regents and the President of the University. (Section 4)

The Governing Board
- The governing board shall be the Board of Regents, composed of various members specified in the law. (Section 5)
- The Board shall have the power to promulgate and implement policies in accordance with the declared State policies on education and other pertinent provisions. (Section 6)
- The Board shall have specific powers and duties outlined in Section 7, including promulgating rules and regulations, receiving and appropriating funds, importing duty-free books, receiving donations, fixing tuition fees, appointing officials and employees, approving curricula, awarding degrees, establishing branches and centers, entering into joint ventures, and extending the term of the President.

The University President
- The University shall be headed by a President, who shall be appointed by the Board. (Section 9)
- The incumbent President of the Naval Institute of Technology shall serve as the first University President. (Section 9)
- The powers and duties of the President shall be those usually pertaining to the office of the president of similar universities, and those delegated by the Board. (Section 9)

Heads of University Campuses
- Campus Directors shall head the University campuses and shall be appointed by the Board. (Section 10)
- The incumbent college administrators of the extension campuses shall serve as Campus Directors of their respective campuses. (Section 10)

The Administrative Council and Academic Council
- There shall be an Administrative Council to review and recommend policies governing the administration, management and development planning of the University. (Section 11)
- There shall be an Academic Council to review and recommend curricular offerings, rules of discipline, admission and graduation requirements, and formulate academic policies. (Section 12)

Other Provisions
- The Board shall appoint a Secretary and the Treasurer of the Philippines shall be the ex officio treasurer of the University. (Sections 13-14)
- No political beliefs, gender preference, cultural or community affiliation or ethnic origin, and religious opinion or affiliation shall be a matter of inquiry in the appointment of faculty members. (Section 15)
- The University shall provide a scholarship program and other affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving students. (Section 16)
- The University shall enjoy academic freedom and institutional autonomy. (Section 17)
- Government bureaus and offices are authorized to loan or transfer apparatus, equipment or supplies, and detail employees for duty in the University. (Section 18)
- All assets, liabilities and personnel of the Naval Institute of Technology and the Biliran National Agricultural College are transferred to the University. (Section 19)
- The amount necessary for the initial implementation shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the Naval Institute of Technology and the Biliran National Agricultural College. (Section 20)
- Within 120 days, the University shall submit a 5-year development plan, undergo a management audit, and set up its organizational, administrative and academic structure. (Section 21)
- CHED shall conduct regular monitoring and evaluation to determine continuing compliance with the requirements on University status. (Section 22)
- The Board shall file an annual report on the progress, conditions and needs of the University. (Section 23)
- The provisions of the Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997 shall be an integral part of this Act. (Section 24)
- All powers, functions and privileges granted to state universities and their officials under existing laws shall be deemed granted to the University and its officials. (Section 25)
- The Board, in consultation with CHED, shall formulate the guidelines to fully implement the provisions of this Act. (Section 26)
- If any part of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts shall remain in full force and effect. (Section 27)
- All laws contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are repealed or modified accordingly. (Section 28)
- This Act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in two newspapers of general circulation. (Section 29)