AN ACT CREATING THE BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY (BSU) BY INTEGRATING THE (1) PABLO BORBON MEMORIAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 9045

Creation of Batangas State University (BSU)
• Integrates (1) Pablo Borbon Memorial Institute of Technology and its branches, (2) Jose P. Laurel Polytechnic College, (3) Apolinario R. Apacible School of Fisheries, and (4) Polytechnic University of the Philippines Campus in Sto. Tomas into the Batangas State University (Section 1)

Objectives and Courses Offered
• Provide advanced instruction, professional training, research, and extension services in scientific, technological, engineering, business, economics, entrepreneurship, agriculture, teacher education, arts, sciences, and related fields (Section 2)
• Offer undergraduate, graduate, and short-term technical courses within its areas of specialization (Section 3)

Powers and Administration
• The University shall have general corporate powers, and its administration shall be vested in the Board of Regents (Section 4)
• The Board of Regents shall be the governing body, composed of representatives from various government agencies, faculty, students, alumni, and prominent citizens (Section 5)
• The Board shall have specific powers and duties, including:
- Enact rules and regulations (Section 7a)
- Receive and appropriate funds for the University (Section 7b)
- Receive donations and legacies, exempt from taxes (Section 7c)
- Fix tuition fees and other charges (Section 7d)
- Adopt a socialized tuition scheme for deserving students (Section 7e)
- Authorize construction, repairs, and purchases, exempt from taxes (Section 7f)
- Appoint officials, faculty, and employees (Section 7g)
- Fix salaries and grant leaves (Section 7h)
- Approve curricula, programs, and disciplinary rules (Section 7i)
- Set admission and graduation policies (Section 7j)
- Award honorary degrees and certificates (Section 7k)
- Establish branches and offer programs for equal access (Section 7l)
- Establish research and extension centers (Section 7m)
- Establish chairs, fellowships, and scholarships (Section 7n)
- Delegate powers and duties (Section 7o)
- Authorize external management audits (Section 7p)
- Collaborate with other state universities and colleges (Section 7q)
- Enter into joint ventures (Section 7r)
- Develop consortia and linkages (Section 7s)
- Develop academic arrangements for capability building (Section 7t)
- Adopt modern modes of knowledge transmission (Section 7u)
- Establish participative decision-making guidelines (Section 7v)
- Privatize non-academic services (Section 7w)
- Extend the president's term beyond retirement age (Section 7x)

Administration and Councils
• The administration shall be vested in the president, appointed by the Board for a 4-year term (Section 9)
• There shall be an Administrative Council and an Academic Council (Sections 10-11)

Transition and Integration
• The incumbent president of Pablo Borbon Memorial Institute of Technology shall serve as the first president of BSU (Section 15)
• All assets, personnel, records, liabilities, and land of the integrated institutions shall be transferred to BSU (Section 16)

Other Provisions
• National government agencies can loan equipment and detail employees to the University (Section 17)
• The University shall provide scholarships and affirmative action programs for deserving students (Section 18)
• The University shall enjoy academic freedom (Section 19)
• The Board shall file an annual report to Congress (Section 20)
• Funding shall come from the appropriations of the integrated institutions and the annual General Appropriations Act (Section 21)
• The University shall submit a 5-year development plan, undergo a management audit, set up its structure, and establish degree-granting units within 120 days (Section 22)
• Faculty members are exempt from civil service examinations for appointment (Section 23)
• The Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997 shall form part of the University's governing charter (Section 24)
• All powers, functions, privileges, responsibilities, and limitations of state universities shall apply to BSU (Section 25)
• Inconsistent laws, decrees, orders, and regulations are repealed or modified (Section 26)