WINDS OF CHANGE are blowing over MMSU, one of the top universities in the country.

A search committee has been organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to make preliminary evaluation of candidates for the presidency after the term of Dr. Miriam E. Pascua, sixth MMSU president, ended last May 31 after 10 years at the helm of the university.

After the deadline of submission of documents for the post last May 27, five contenders emerged, four of whom are insiders. They are: Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, biology professor and former director of the Office of External Affairs and Partnerships; Dr. Carmelo J. Esteban, former dean of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development and Graduate School (GS); Atty. Ramon A. Leaño, vice president for administration and business; and Dr. Joselito L. Lolinco, dean of GS.

The lone outsider is Dr. Ricardo S. Guanzon, medical officer of the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center.

The candidates will present themselves in a public forum at the Teatro Ilocandia on June 15. Here, they will present their vision and mission for the university before a crowd of students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders of the university.

Meanwhile, Dr. Prima Fe  R. Franco, vice president for academic affairs, has assumed her designation as ad interim president through CHED Special Order No. 32 signed by Chairperson Patricia B. Licuanan during the regular meeting by the members of the Board of Regents last May 28. Her designation shall remain in effect until the appointment of a new university president by the CHED leadership which shall be based on the recommendation of the members of the search committee chaired by former University of the Philippines System president, Dr. Emerlinda R. Roman.

The BOR’s decision to recommend Dr. Franco as officer in charge of the Office of the President was based on the provision of Article VII, Section 30 of Republic Act 8292, otherwise known as the Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997, which states that the most senior vice president of the university who is not a candidate to the presidency should be appointed ad interim.

As officer in charge, Dr. Franco is directed to discharge all the “day-to-day routinary duties and responsibilities of the Office of the President and shall be entitled to allowances and other benefits allowed by law which are applicable to the said position, except the basic salary thereof.”

She is further required to give reports to the BOR on actions taken in the performance of her duties as OIC and shall try at all times to maintain the stability and regularity of academic as well as administrative operations of the university. (By Reynaldo E. Andres)