Revised Batangas State University Charter

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 11694 (Revised Batangas State University Charter)

Title and Declaration of Policy (Sections 1-2)
- Declares the Batangas State University (BatStateU) as the National Engineering University.
- Aims to promote quality and accessible education relevant to societal needs, and strengthen engineering curricula.

Purpose of BatStateU (Section 3)
- Provide world-class training in engineering and other professions.
- Offer advanced studies and specialization for engineers, scientists, and professionals.
- Strengthen engineering programs and collaborate with industries.
- Conduct research and contribute to knowledge dissemination.
- Intensify research and development in specific areas like electronics, environment, IT, materials science, and manufacturing.
- Offer undergraduate and graduate courses in various fields.
- Lead in protecting and managing the Verde Island Passage.
- Generate productive knowledge and innovation for the global economy.
- Provide academic programs in disaster risk management.
- Contribute to economic growth through the Knowledge, Innovation and Science Technology (KIST) Park.
- Provide community service and assistance to the government and private sector.
- Strengthen integrated schools for basic education in STEM fields.
- Protect the rights and welfare of personnel.
- Promote responsible citizenship, democratic values, and nationalism.
- Serve as a regional and global university through international cooperation.
- Provide democratic governance and active participation of constituents.

The University (Section 4)
- Composed of constituent campuses: Pablo Borbon, Alangilan, Apolinario R. Apacible School of Fisheries (ARASOF)-Nasugbu, JPLPC-Malvar, Lipa.
- Extension campuses: Lobo, Mabini, Balayan, Rosario, Lemery, San Juan.

Academic Freedom and Commitment to National Development (Sections 5-6)
- BatStateU shall enjoy academic freedom.
- At least 50% of total enrollment must be in engineering and technology programs.
- Discontinue new programs not allied with engineering and technology.
- Accelerate faculty development in engineering and technology.
- Lead in research, development, and knowledge application.

Social Responsibility and Democratic Access (Sections 7-8)
- Serve the Filipino nation and humanity while pursuing universal principles.
- Provide venues for volunteerism.
- Enhance access for disadvantaged students through alternative admission processes.
- No discrimination based on age, gender, nationality, religion, economic status, ethnicity, disability, or political affiliation.

Sports, Culture, Arts, and Institutional Autonomy (Sections 9-10)
- Undertake comprehensive sports programs and promote physical education.
- Strengthen culture and arts as a national resource.
- Treated with greater flexibility as the national engineering university.
- Determine teaching, research, extension thrusts, plans, policies, programs, and standards.

Administration (Section 11)
- Administration vested in the Board of Regents and the President.
- Central administration headed by the President, assisted by Vice Presidents.
- Constituent campuses administered by Chancellors, assisted by Vice Chancellors.
- Extension campuses headed by Campus Directors.

Board of Regents (Sections 12-14)
- Governing body chaired by CHED Chairperson and BatStateU President.
- Composed of representatives from Senate, House, NEDA, DOST, faculty, students, alumni, and private sector.
- Meetings require a quorum of majority members, with the CHED Chair or BatStateU President present.
- Designees allowed for certain members.

Powers and Duties of the Board (Section 15)
- Define academic thrusts and institutional goals.
- Approve academic programs, curricula, rules on student discipline, and graduation.
- Create, reorganize, merge or abolish academic and administrative units.
- Appoint faculty, officials, and employees, and set compensation and benefits.
- Fix tuition fees and other charges, which constitute special trust funds.
- Adopt a socialized tuition scheme for greater access.
- Receive appropriations and other funds.
- Award honorary degrees.
- Establish research and extension centers.
- Authorize faculty and staff to travel abroad for academic purposes.
- Provide fellowships, scholarships, and grants.
- Develop academic arrangements and consortia with other institutions.
- Enter into joint ventures or public-private partnerships.
- Receive and administer legacies, gifts, and donations.
- Extend the term of the President beyond retirement age (up to 70 years old).
- Elect the President through a democratic consultation process.
- Extend tenure of faculty beyond retirement age (up to 70 years old).
- Authorize construction, repair, and acquisition of facilities and real property.
- Delegate powers and duties to the President or other officials.
- Prescribe rules for governance and discipline.
- Privatize non-academic services management.
- Develop mechanisms for public-private partnerships.
- Promulgate necessary rules and regulations.

The President (Section 16)
- Chief academic officer, head of the university, faculty, and chief executive officer.
- Elected by the Board upon recommendation of a search committee.
- Serves a 4-year term, renewable for another term.
- Vacancy filled by an Officer-in-Charge pending appointment of a new President within 90 days.
- Powers and duties pertaining to the Office of the President and as delegated by the Board.
- Salary in accordance with the Salary Standardization Law.

Secretary of the BatStateU and Board (Section 17)
- Designated by the Board to keep records of the BatStateU.

Academic Council (Sections 18-19)
- Highest academic body, chaired by the President.
- Composed of the President, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and faculty members with rank of assistant professor and higher.
- Review and propose academic policies, curricular offerings, and assessment systems.
- Recommend honorary degree awards.
- Fix admission, graduation, and honors requirements.
- Recommend matters related to student conduct, welfare, and extracurricular activities.
- Prescribe academic programs and their revision, abolition, or merger.
- Recommend graduation of students and grant of honors.
- Adopt internal rules of procedure.

Administrative Council and Research Council (Sections 20-23)
- Administrative Council reviews and recommends policies on administration, management, and development planning.
- Research Council acts as an advisory body on research directions, planning, fund sourcing, and policy formulation.

Extension Services Council (Sections 24-25)
- Acts as an advisory body on extension services direction, planning, fund sourcing, and policy review.

Chancellor of Constituent Campus (Section 26)
- Administration of each constituent campus vested in the Chancellor.
- Designated by the Board upon recommendation of the President.
- Reports to the President and performs duties delegated by the President and Board.

The Faculty (Section 27)
- Teaching staff of each college constitutes its faculty.
- Presided over by a Dean designated by the Board upon recommendation of the President.
- No discrimination based on political belief, gender, culture, ethnicity, or religion in faculty appointment.
- Subject to guidelines, qualifications, and standards set by the Board.
- No teaching for or against any particular church or religious sect.

Student Affairs (Section 28)
- Student councils established for each college, constituent campus, and a federation for BatStateU.
- Student council represents and advances the interests, welfare, and aspirations of students.
- Student publication established in every constituent campus, funded by student fees.
- Freedom of expression and autonomy in editorial and fiscal policy guaranteed.

Land Grants and Real Properties (Section 29)
- State may support BatStateU through lump sum appropriations, land grants, and donations.
- Income from land grants and real properties used to further the university's ends.
- Absolute ownership of BatStateU over landholdings confirmed.
- Board may plan and implement land leases, excluding academic core zones.
- Board may allow income from real properties as security for transactions.
- Board may approve joint ventures involving income from real properties.
- Revenue generation consistent with academic mission and orientation.
- Funds generated not meant to replace government appropriations.

Safeguards on Assets Disposition (Section 30)
- Sale of existing real property prohibited, except for donated properties with specific terms.
- Lease of assets for more than 5 years and transactions subject to conditions and procedures:
- Discussed in Board meetings.
- Based on a comprehensive development plan.
- Subject to public bidding.
- Fairness opinion report required for failed biddings and negotiated transactions.
- Contracts over P50 million require approval of 3/4 of Board members.
- Splitting of contracts prohibited.

Management of Funds (Section 31)
- Independent trust committee composed of the President and representatives from banking associations.
- Committee recommends 5 universal banks to manage funds through trust agreements.
- Committee provides direction on appropriate investments.

Tax Exemptions (Section 32)
- Revenues and assets used for educational purposes exempt from taxes.
- Grants, bequests, endowments, and donations exempt from donor's tax and considered allowable deductions.
- Importation of books, supplies, materials, and equipment exempt from customs duties.
- Academic awards exempt from taxes.

Reportorial Requirements and Auditing (Section 33)
- Annual report to Congress containing financial statements, assets, liabilities, and income sources.
- Accounts and disbursements audited by the Commission on Audit.

Rules of Construction (Section 34)
- No issuance shall diminish the powers, rights, privileges, and benefits of BatStateU unless expressly repealed or amended.
- Interpretation of provisions resolved in favor of academic freedom and fiscal autonomy.

Appropriations (Section 35)
- Implementation funded by current appropriations and internal funds of BatStateU.
- Subsequent funding included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Development Plan and Organizational Structure (Section 36)
- Within 120 days, BatStateU shall:
- Submit a 5-year development plan and program budget to CHED and DBM.
- Set up organization, academic structure, and designate key officials and personnel.
- Secure additional plantilla positions and personnel services allocation from DBM.

Transitory Provision (Section 37)
- Incumbent President serves a new term as the first President of the national engineering university.
- Subject to one reappointment following CHED guidelines.

Separability Clause (Section 38)
- If any provision is declared unconstitutional, the other provisions remain valid.

Repealing Clause (Section 39)
- Repeals Republic Act No. 9045 (Creating the Batangas State University) and its amendment, and other inconsistent laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations.

Effectivity (Section 40)
- Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.