Section 7Sec./Art. 7

The Board shall have the following specific powers and duties in addition to its general powers of administration and the exercise of all the powers granted to the board of directors of a corporation under existing laws:

(a) To enact rules and regulations not contrary to law as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and functions of the University;

(b) To import duty-free essential commodities, materials and equipment for educational or technological programs as an exception to existing laws, provided such commodities, materials and equipment are not available locally;

(c) To receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal properties of all kinds and to administer and dispose the same when necessary for the benefit of the University and subject to the limitations, directions and instructions of the donor, if any. Such donations shall be exempt from all taxes and shall be considered as deductible items from the income tax of the donor;

(d) To fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges such as, but not limited to, matriculation fees, graduation fees, and laboratory fees, as the Board may deem proper to impose;

Such fees and charges, including government subsidies and other income generated by the University shall constitute special trust funds and shall be deposited in any authorized government depository bank, and all interest that shall accrue therefrom shall form part of the same funds for the use of the University.

The income generated by the University may, at the discretion of the University, be disbursed for the professional growth and development, health, welfare and other similar benefits of the faculty members and personnel for extension and student welfare expenses so that the flexibility on use of income shall be focused on faculty, personnel improvement and student welfare activities, and for expenses necessary for the attainment of its purposes under this Act.

(e) To authorize the construction or repair of its buildings, machineries, equipment and other facilities and the purchase and acquisition of real and personal properties, including necessary supplies, materials and equipment. Purchases and other transactions entered into by the University through the Board shall be exempt from all taxes and duties;

(f) To confirm appointments of vice-presidents, deans, directors, heads of departments, faculty members, and other officials and employees of the University made by the President of the University;

(g) To approve the curricula, institutional programs and rules of discipline drawn by the administrative and academic councils as herein provided;

(h) To confer degrees upon successful candidates for graduation, to award honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of outstanding contribution in the field of education, public service, arts, science and technology or in any field of specialization, and to authorize the award of certificates for completion of non-degree and non-traditional courses;

(i) To establish branches within the Province of Palawan if and when it becomes essential and necessary where there is no existing school offering similar programs or courses to promote and carry out equal access to education opportunities as mandated by the Constitution; and

(j) To establish chairs in the University and to provide fellowships for qualified faculty members and scholarships to deserving students.