The Commission on Higher Education has granted the University of Saint Louis, Tuguegarao City Autonomous Status for the period April 1, 2016 to May 30, 2019 as per CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 20, Series of 2016.
USL has maintained its Autonomous Status since CHED implemented the evaluation of higher education institutions (HEIs) in the entire country in 2002 when the University was still called Saint Louis College of Tuguegarao (SLCT).
USL has an unbroken record of Autonomy (2002-2019) which accounts to the University’s status along program and institutional accreditation, sterling performance in licensure examinations, presence of quality assurance mechanism, among other criteria, according to the University’s Acting President, Dr. Delailah B. Valencia, who served as USL’s Vice-President for Academics for eight (8) years and Vice-President for Planning, Development, Quality Assurance and Accreditation (VP-PDQAA) for four (4) years.
The recent grant of autonomy and deregulated status to deserving HEIs was made by CHED in view of the implementation of CMO No. 46, Series of 2012 titled “Policy-Standard to Enhance Quality Assurance (QA) in Philippine Higher Education Through an Outcomes-based and Typology-based QA.”
As per CMO No. 46, Series of 2012, vertical typology is the classification of HEIs according to three (3) elements of quality: 1) the alignment and consistency of the learning environment with the institution’s vision, mission, and goals; 2) demonstration of exceptional learning and service outcomes; and 3) the development of a culture of quality. The first element is related to the horizontal type of the HEI while the last two are related to level of program excellence and institutional quality.
Private higher education institutions (PHEIs) are classified vertically as: 1) autonomous HEIs, 2) deregulated HEIs, and 3) regulated HEIs. Public higher education institutions likewise have corresponding vertical classifications.
Vertical classification is based on the assessment of the HEI’s Commitment to Excellence and Institutional Sustainability and Enhancement. The former mainly considers program excellence while the latter is largely based on institutional quality.
As per CMO No. 19, Series of 2016, among USL’s benefits as an Autonomous University is exemption from regular monitoring and evaluation by CHED. However, CHED may motu propio conduct verification, monitoring or investigation activities in cases when there are evidences or reports of a general erosion of quality and/or gross violation of existing laws, rules and regulations, that adversely affect the good standing of the PHEI as a reputable educational institution.
Presently, USL has six Level IV programs (Accountancy, Business Administration, Civil Engineering, Liberal Arts, Elementary Teacher Education, and Secondary Teacher Education); one Level III program (Electrical Engineering); three Level II programs (Information Technology, Computer Science, and High School); and two Level I (Nursing and Elementary programs), all of which were granted by the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) through the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU).
USL also enjoys the grant of Institutional Accreditation from FAAP. Moreover, the University is Center of Development in Information Technology Education.
“All the feats bestowed to the University are the outcomes of the committed efforts of the administration, faculty, students, and non-teaching staff in their continuing quest for quality, and such efforts are duly blessed by the Divine Providence,” further said by Dr. Valencia.
Please read CMO No. 20, Series of 2016 indicating the Private Higher Education Institutions granted Autonomous and Deregulated Status.
Please read CMO No. 19, Series of 2016 specifying the Benefits and Responsibilities of Autonomous and Deregulated Private Higher Education Institutions.
