Ecclesiastical Faculties

The Ecclesiastical Faculties have always been considered as the primary components of  the University of Santo Tomas, which Leo XIII proclaimed a Pontifical University  (Constitution Quae Mari Sinico, VII, 17 September 1902), and Pius XII honored with the  title of The Catholic University of the Philippines (Litt. Apost. 10 April 1947). The Faculty of  Sacred Theology is as old as the University itself since the primary purpose of the  Dominican Fathers in founding this institution of learning was to train from among the  young men who flocked to their lecture rooms worthy ministers of the altar. This Faculty, established at the same time as the Faculty of Philosophy, received official ecclesiastical  recognition in the Brief, In Supereminenti, given on 20 November 1645 in Rome under the  pontificate of Innocent X. 

In 1896, particularly as a result of the influence exerted by the Government and the special  circumstances of the times, the Faculty of Philosophy was reshaped into the Faculty of  Philosophy and Letters. However, in 1928, owing to the creation of the Inter-diocesan  (also called Central) Seminary, the old Faculty of Philosophy was revived, this time  mainly for seminarians. 

In answer to previous requests of the Dominican Fathers in the Philippines regarding the  creation of a Faculty of Canon Law, Innocent XI issued on 7 August 1681 his Brief, Inscrutabili; however, said Brief could not be implemented then due to the troubled  circumstances of the period. Its implementation was carried out on 11 November 1733.  On 23 October 1733, the King of Spain approved the project, which was confirmed by  Clement XII on 2 September 1734 in his Brief, Dudum Emanarunt. 

In view of the peculiar nature of the goal of the students enrolled in these faculties, and  in view of the ecclesiastical regulations governing the holistic formation of candidates for  the priesthood, these particular Statutes were formed to govern the three Faculties. Taking as point of departure the previous Statutes of the Ecclesiastical Faculties, these  Statutes have been drawn up in accordance with Pope Francis’ Apostolic Constitution  Veritatis Gaudium (8 December 2017), the Congregation for Catholic Education’s Norms 

of Application (27 December 2017), its decree revising the order of studies in the Faculty of  Canon Law (2 September 2002), its decree on the reform of Ecclesiastical Studies of  Philosophy (28 January 2011), and the emendations introduced by the respective Faculty  Councils, bearing in mind the Congregation’s response to the Triennial Report of the  Ecclesiastical Faculties in 2013, the issuance of the Congregation’s Handbook for  Ecclesiastical Faculties (Quality Culture), and the Qualifications Framework of the  Ecclesiastical Higher Education System of the Holy See. 

Moreover, the Faculty of Philosophy has restructured its course offerings in order to  harmonize the courses with the prevailing requirements of the Commission on Higher  Education whose curricular programs have been updated as a response to the K-12  educational reforms of the Republic of the Philippines. These reforms in the University  programs are expected to commence in AY 2018-2019 and the Faculty of Philosophy,  particularly in its civil degree program, has taken proactive steps by adjusting its  curriculum in response to such instruction. 

These Statutes are to be applied only to the Ecclesiastical Faculties, leaving therefore the  community life of the Inter-diocesan Seminary and its governance to the Statutes of said Seminary, approved by the Sacred Congregation on 26 July 1962. 

Art. 1: ECCLESIASTICAL FACULTIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS 

The Ecclesiastical Faculties of Sacred Theology, Canon Law, and Philosophy are an  integral part of the University of Santo Tomas. To these three, other Faculties may be  added in the future. Each Faculty may also establish other specialized Institutes under  the jurisdiction of the Dean of the establishing Faculty. 

Art. 2: THE GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE THREE FACULTIES 

The purposes of Ecclesiastical Faculties are: 

1. To deepen the knowledge of Christian revelation and of matters connected with  it: to enunciate systematically the truth contained therein; to consider in the light  of revelation, the problems of the times, presenting them in a manner adapted to  the local culture. Each Faculty shall cultivate and promote its own disciplines  through scientific research, by establishing or availing itself of specialized research  centers, by publishing scientific journals and collections, and by organizing  and/or participating in scientific workshops or conferences (see Veritatis Gaudium,  Art. 3, §1).  
2. The Ecclesiastical Faculties are tasked by the Church to train the students to a level  of high qualification in their own disciplines, according to Catholic doctrine, to  prepare them properly to face their tasks, and to promote the continuing  permanent education of the ministers of the Church (see Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 3,  §2). The studies in the Ecclesiastical Faculties “are called to offer opportunities and  processes for the suitable formation of priests, consecrated men and women, and  committed lay people. At the same time, they are called to be a sort of providential  cultural laboratory in which the Church carries out the performative interpretation  of the reality brought about by the Christ event and nourished by the gifts of wisdom and knowledge by which the Holy Spirit enriches the People of God in  manifold ways…” (Veritatis Gaudium, Foreword, 3).  

3. The Ecclesiastical Faculties are closely connected with the evangelizing mission of  the Church; hence, they have “to collaborate intensely, in accordance with their own nature and in close communion with the Hierarchy, with the local and the universal Church the whole work of evangelization” (see Veritatis Gaudium, Art.  3, §3). “The worldwide network of Ecclesiastical universities and faculties is called  to offer the decisive contribution of leaven, salt and light of the Gospel of Jesus  Christ and the living tradition of the Church which is ever open to new situations  and ideas” (Veritatis Gaudium, Foreword, 3).  
4. As the primary component of the University of Santo Tomas, the Catholic  University of the Philippines, the Ecclesiastical Faculties share in the University’s  responsibility to be an educative community permeated with the “spirit of liberty  and charity” (Gravissimum Educationis, no. 8); in particular, the Ecclesiastical  Faculties strive to become, in word and witness, a fraternal Christian community,  nourished by prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist. 

Art. 3: THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF THE THREE FACULTIES 

1. THE FACULTY OF SACRED THEOLOGY. The Faculty of Sacred Theology has  the aim of profoundly studying and explaining, according to the scientific method  proper to it, Catholic doctrine, derived with the greatest care from divine  revelation. It has the further aim of carefully seeking the solution to human  problems in the light of the same revelation (Veritatis Gaudium, 69), taught by the  Catholic Church and lived in union with it by the Christians in Asia, particularly  the Philippines. Its function is the formation of the clergy, the religious, and the  laity at the level required for the certification of academic degrees conferred under  the authority of the Holy See. A main objective of the Faculty is its continued close collaboration with the Hierarchy of the Church, particularly with regard to the scientific analysis of the issues and problems of the times and their theological discernment in the light of Christian faith, directed to integral Christian praxis. 
2. THE FACULTY OF CANON LAW. The Faculty of Canon Law has the aim of  cultivating and promoting the juridical disciplines in the light of the law of the  Gospel and of deeply instructing the students in these, so as to form researchers,  teachers, and others who will be trained to hold special ecclesiastical posts  (Veritatis Gaudium, 77) like teaching in Seminaries, Houses of Studies and  Ecclesiastical Faculties, professional practice in diocesan and religious curia, as  well as other ecclesiastical posts. The Faculty of Canon Law shall search with  special interest for the ways and means to harmonize the difference between the  laws of the Church and those of the State.

3. THE FACULTY OF PHILOSOPHY. The Faculty of Philosophy intends, through  the proper organization of its courses, to help students gradually acquire a solid  and consistent knowledge of man, of the world and of God based on the philosophical heritage of St. Thomas Aquinas as the best guide in this  philosophical journey (Fides et Ratio, nos. 43, 57 and 58). It also aims to make the  students conversant in the history of ideas and other human sciences (Pastores  Dabo Vobis, no. 52) as well as “of investigating philosophical problems according  to scientific methodology, basing itself on a heritage of perennially valid  philosophy” (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 81, §1). The Faculty trains its students to  search “for solutions in the light of natural reason and, furthermore… to  demonstrate their consistency with the Christian view of the world, of man, and  of God, placing in a proper light the relationship between philosophy and  theology” (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 81, §1). Training in the Faculty of Philosophy  will give the students a solid base for the study of theology and a preparation for  the life and ministry which await them, thus enabling them to enter into dialogue  with the men and women of their own time. 

Art. 4: LAWS AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE ECCLESIASTICAL FACULTIES 

1. LAWS. The Ecclesiastical Faculties are governed by the following laws: a. The common law of the Church; 
2. Apostolic Constitution Veritatis Gaudium and its Norms of Application, and other  norms laid down by the Apostolic See; 
3. The General Statutes of the University of Santo Tomas in so far as they are not  inconsistent with these particular statutes of the Ecclesiastical Faculties; d. The Statutes of the Ecclesiastical Faculties approved by the Congregation for  Catholic Education. 
4. REGULATIONS. In addition, the Faculties are governed by the following regulations: a. The norms issued by the Rector in accordance with these Statutes; b. The rules issued by the Deans with the respective Faculty Council in accordance  with these statutes; 
5. The legitimate customs related to these Faculties in so far as they are in conformity  with the laws of the Church and have been recognized by the authorities of the  Faculties. 

Art. 5: ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTION 

1. The three Ecclesiastical Faculties are organically independent of one another, each  one having its own governing body, faculty staff, and students, as well as their  particular academic courses and programs.

2. There shall be close cooperation among the three Ecclesiastical Faculties as well as  coordination with the Civil Faculties of the University. This cooperation and  coordination shall be shown in the interdisciplinary approach to common or  related subjects and problems. 
3. In the organization of courses and in the planning of research programs, due  importance shall be given to the socio-cultural and religious problems of the Asian  region, particularly of the Philippines. 

Art. 6: AUTHORITIES 

1. The Archbishop of Manila is the Honorary Patron of the Ecclesiastical Faculties. 
2. The Master of the Order of Preachers is the Chancellor, and as such is the Prelate  Ordinary of the University of Santo Tomas, of which the Ecclesiastical Faculties  are an integral part. Besides the duties and prerogatives of the Chancellor, as  described in art. 8 of the General Statutes of the University, it belongs to his  competence to confer, either acting personally or through a delegate, to those who  will teach academic subjects that deal with matters of faith and morals, after they  have made the profession of faith, the missio canonica to those who teach disciplines  concerning faith and morals and the venia docendi to those who teach other  subjects, since they will be teaching not on their own authority but by commission  received from the Church (see Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 27, § 1). Furthermore, it is  the duty of the Chancellor to transmit to the Congregation for Catholic Education  the Quinquennial Report of the Ecclesiastical Faculties (Norms of Application of the  Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 9, no. 7). 
3. The Vice-Chancellor of the University is the Prior Provincial of the Dominican  Province of the Philippines, as determined in art. 9 of the General Statutes of the  University. It pertains to him:

   a. To promote cooperation between the Ecclesiastical Faculties and the local  Church. He seeks the support of the Local Ordinary for the Faculties, and, in  agreement with him, ensures that the Faculties make an appropriate contribution to the life of the local Church. It is through the Vice-Chancellor  that the Local Ordinary normally takes any steps that he considers to be  required by the exercise of his pastoral responsibility in relation to the  Faculties;

   b. To give the missio canonica or venia docendi in the name of the Chancellor for all  appointments and promotions, except those which require the nihil obstat of the  Holy See;
   c. To receive the profession of faith of all teachers whose courses are concerned  with matters of faith and morals. 

4. The academic authorities of the Faculties are both personal and collegial. The  personal authorities are the Rector and the Vice-Rector of the University, and the  Deans of the respective Faculties. On the collegial level, each Faculty is governed  by the Faculty Council, which occasionally may include the entire Faculty Staff. 

Art. 7: THE DEAN 

1. The Deans of the Ecclesiastical Faculties shall be elected by secret ballot by the  Dominican professors affiliated to each Faculty. Being affiliated to a Faculty means  that one has an active appointment of at least the rank of an Instructor and has  taught in the Faculty within the past two academic Terms. 
2. Only Dominican professors with a rank of at least an associate professor in the  respective Faculties are considered candidates for election. Otherwise, any  Dominican professor below the rank of an associate professor will need a  postulation. 
3. To be elected as Dean, the eligible candidate must gather a majority vote (1 vote  more than half the number of the present voters) within the first two scrutinies. If  no winner is declared after two scrutinies, only those two candidates with the  highest votes will be considered for the third scrutiny. On the third ballot, the  person free from any impediment who obtained a relative majority would be  elected. 
4. A postulation is needed if the candidate does not possess the appropriate rank or  if the candidate is the incumbent Dean who has served the Office for two  consecutive Terms. Only a Dominican friar may be postulated for the Office of the  Dean.  
5. In the case of postulation, the following shall be observed: a) a postulated  candidate must obtain a number of votes, that is, at least two-thirds of the total  number of voters, and b) in the third scrutiny, an eligible candidate with a relative  majority vote wins the election. A candidate for postulation who reaches the third  ballot shall automatically be excluded if he does not obtain two-thirds of the  number of votes. 
6. The elected Dean shall be appointed by the Rector after approval of the Council of  Regents. The Deans’ term of office shall last for a period of three (3) years.  However, they may be reelected for another consecutive term of three (3) years  only.

7. The appointment of the Dean, including the succeeding Terms, requires the  Confirmation of the Congregation for Catholic Education (Veritatis Gaudium, Art.  18).  
8. It belongs to the Dean:
   a. To direct, promote and coordinate all activities of the Faculty, especially those  connected with studies;
   b. To promote teaching efficiency in the Faculty;
   c. To ensure that in their teaching function, professors follow faithfully the  approved courses of study;
   d. To convoke and preside at the official meetings of the Faculty and the Faculty  Council;
   e. To present to the Faculty Council important problems for discussion and, if  necessary, for approval;
   f. To admit to or exclude students from the Faculty;
   g. To distribute the teaching load to the professors and to prepare the timetable  of classes and examinations;
   h. To designate the members of the tribunals for academic degrees;
   i. To preside at the tribunals of examination for degrees;
   j. To appoint advisers of students in the preparation of their theses; k. To see to it that laws and norms affecting the Faculty are observed. 

Art. 8: THE FACULTY COUNCIL 

1. Normally, the Council of the Faculty is composed of the Dean, as Chair, four professors and two representatives from each of the other ranks of the teaching  staff (cf. art. 11, infra). These representatives are elected by the members of the  respective ranks, and confirmed by the Rector of the University for a term of three  (3) years. In addition, at least one (1) representative of the Student Body shall be  included whenever matters concerning students are discussed. The Secretary of  the Ecclesiastical Faculties shall serve as the Secretary of the Faculty Council. In  some cases, the Faculty Council is composed of the entire Faculty staff. 
2. The concurrence of a majority of the Faculty Council acting as a body shall be  required:
   a. To propose to the Rector for approval any major changes in the curriculum;
   b. To plan and formulate concrete special courses, seminars, symposia, etc. to  be undertaken by the respective Faculties during the school year;
   c. To propose to the Rector the appointment and promotion of faculty  members who meet the prescribed requirements;
   d. To propose to the Rector the removal of members of the Faculty for cause  and after due process as stated in the Faculty Code of the University;
   e. To propose to the Rector candidates for graduation;
   f. To ascertain the convenience of extending teaching function of professors after reaching the age of seventy (70), in accordance with art. 15, no. 1;
   g. To approve the conferment of the titles of Professor Emeritus or Honorary Professor in accordance with art. 18 of these Statutes. 

Art. 9: THE COMMISSION ON AFFILIATION, AGGREGATION AND  INCORPORATION  

1. The Commission on Affiliation of each Faculty shall be composed by professors of the Ecclesiastical Faculties who received appointment from the respective Deans. The members of the Commission shall serve a Term of Office that lasts for three years. 
2. The Commission is tasked to review and monitor the Institutes that are affiliated, aggregated or incorporated to any of the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Santo Tomas. 
3. The Commission shall be assisted by an Academic Collaboration Officer.

Art. 10: APPOINTMENT AND ASSIGNMENT  

1. New professors shall be formally appointed by the Rector upon recommendation of the Faculty Council, which ascertains their academic qualifications as well as their moral integrity (see Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 26, §1) and with the authorization of the Chancellor or Vice-Chancellor, who confers the appropriate missio canonica or venia docendi (see Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 27, §1). 
2. Diocesan priests, religious, or others from whatever Institute, before being appointed by the Rector, upon the recommendation of the Faculty Council, “in order to be teachers in a Faculty or to remain as such, must have the consent of their proper Ordinary or Religious Superior, following the norms established in these matters by competent Church authority” (Norms of Application of the Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 25). 

Art. 11: CLASSIFICATION  

1. Ranking in the Academic Staff shall be as follows (General Statutes, University of Santo Tomas, 2011, art. 38.1):
   a. Professors
   b. Associate Professors
   c. Assistant Professors
   d. Instructors

In addition to these professorial ranks, there may be guest lecturers for specific  assignments. 

2. A professor becomes permanent upon attaining the rank of Assistant Professor.  To be legitimately incorporated into the Faculty as a permanent member, the  person concerned must:
   a. Be distinguished by wealth of knowledge, witness of life, and a sense of  responsibility (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 25, §1, 1);
   b. Possess a suitable doctorate degree or an equivalent title, or exceptional and  singular scientific accomplishments. By a suitable doctorate is meant one that  corresponds to the discipline that is being taught. If the discipline is sacred or  connected with the sacred, the doctorate must be canonical. In the event that  the doctorate is not canonical, the teacher will usually be required to have at least a canonical licentiate (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 25, §1, 2, and its Norms of  Application, Art. 19);
   c. Show documentary proof of suitability for doing scientific research, especially  by a published dissertation (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 25, §1, 3);
   d. Demonstrate teaching ability (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 25, §1, 4).
3. Although these requirements are properly applicable to permanent faculty  members, they must also be applied proportionately to non-permanent ones  (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 25, §2). 

Art. 12: PROMOTION 

1. For purposes of promotion, the following requirements shall be considered: a. Academic preparation and training;
   a. Teaching skills and experience;
   b. Ability for research work as shown by suitable scientific publications; d. Upright life, integrity of doctrine and devotion to duty (Veritatis Gaudium, Art.  26, §1); c. Spirit of cooperation in teaching and research, and commitment to the welfare  of the Faculty.
   d. Declaration of a nihil obstat from the Holy See (see Veritatis Gaudium, 27, §2).
2. No Instructor shall be considered for promotion to the rank of Assistant Professor  unless:
   a. he holds a doctorate degree or its equivalent title;
   b. he has shown efficient and commendable performance for at least three (3)  years;
   c. he has published original scientific works.
   d. he has obtained a nihil obstat from the Holy See (Veritatis Gaudium, 27, §2).
3. No Assistant Professor shall be considered for promotion to the rank of Associate  Professor unless:
   a. he has shown an efficient and commendable academic performance for at least  three years (3) as Assistant Professor;
   b. he has shown his scientific competence through additional published scholarly works;
   c. he has obtained a nihil obstat from the Holy See (Veritatis Gaudium, 27, §2).
4. No Associate Professor shall be considered for promotion to the rank of Professor  unless:
   a. he has shown an efficient and commendable professorial performance for at  least three years (3) as Associate Professor;
   b. he has shown his scientific competence through additional scholarly published  works;
   c. he has a doctorate degree that corresponds to the discipline being taught;
   d. he has obtained a nihil obstat from the Holy See (Veritatis Gaudium, 27, §2).

Art. 13: TEACHING PERFORMANCE 

1. It is the fundamental responsibility of a faculty member to maintain competence in  his field of specialization, to exercise appropriate restraint, to show respect for the  opinion of others, and to be judicious in the handling of controversial matters in the  classroom. 
2. To help the teachers attain a truly professorial competence, the authorities should give  them subjects which are related to their field of specialization. Furthermore, they  “must be free from other employment which cannot be reconciled with their duty to  do research and to instruct, according to what the Statutes require for each rank of  teacher” (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 29). 
3. Faculty members who teach matters related to faith and morals “are to be conscious  of their duty to carry out their work in full communion with the authentic  Magisterium of the Church, above all, with that of the Roman Pontiff” (Veritatis  Gaudium, Art. 26, §2); however, they enjoy “just freedom in research and teaching” (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 38, §1, 1). Opinions against the Magisterium of the Church  shall be presented as such and duly evaluated according to said Magisterium. Faculty  members, moreover, must seriously strive to be witnesses of the living truth of the  Gospel to their students and the faithful and thus build the ecclesial community. In  teaching, which is a special ministry of the Word of God, faculty members should  strive to follow the unique example of St. Thomas Aquinas (Optatam Totius, no. 16; 

Gravissimum Educationis, no. 10), who distinguished himself by “his complete  submission of mind and heart to divine revelation,” “great respect for the visible  world,” “his sincere, total and lifelong acceptance of the Teaching Office of the  Church,” and most of all, “his manner of teaching [which] was that of a saint who  lives the Gospel fully” ( John Paul II, Address at the Angelicum University on the 100th  Anniversary of “Aeterni Patris,” November 17, 1979). 

Art. 14: ACADEMIC FREEDOM 

1. Faculty members shall enjoy full freedom in the discharge of their duties as such  within the field of their given specialization, most particularly with regard to  imparting the same according to the best of their capabilities, subject to the established  objectives and policies of the University and the Faculty.
   
2. Following the norms of the Second Vatican Council and in line with the nature of each  Ecclesiastical Faculty:
   a. Just freedom (Gaudium et Spes, no. 59) should be acknowledged in research and  teaching so that true progress can be obtained in learning and understanding divine truth (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 38, §1, 1);
   b. However, “true freedom in teaching is necessarily contained within the limits of  God’s Word, as this is constantly taught by the Church’s Magisterium; likewise  true freedom in research is necessarily based upon firm adherence to God’s Word  and deference to the Church’s Magisterium, whose duty is to interpret  authentically the Word of God” (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 38, §1, 2a-2b).
   c. Fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church is always to be emphasized, particularly  in the basic cycle where those things which belong to the received patrimony of  the Church are to be imparted, (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 73).
3. Each Faculty member is the sole authority to determine the academic standing of all  students under his charge in a given subject. However, if a faculty member fails to do  so within a reasonable period of time, and after serious warnings, the Dean of the  Faculty shall assume this responsibility. 

Art. 15: SUSPENSION OR DISMISSAL 

1. No sanction may be imposed upon a faculty member except for cause and after due  process, so as to safeguard the rights of all involved. 
2. The following steps should be taken before any sanction is imposed: a. A dialogue between the Dean and the Faculty member concerned; b. If the matter is not settled, the case should be referred to the Faculty Council for  the examination of the case and its possible solution;
   c. If this is not sufficient, the matter should be referred to the Rector, who with the  help of a committee of experts must consider the matter and provide for a solution,  after due consultation with the University Vice-Chancellor. If further action is  necessary, the matter must be referred to the Chancellor;
   d. The possibility for recourse to the Holy See is always open to the teacher  concerned.
3. In more grave or urgent cases, the Rector or the Chancellor may suspend the teacher  involved for the duration of the regular procedure. 

Art. 16: RETIREMENT 

1. As a rule, the teachers in the Ecclesiastical Faculties shall continue exercising their  academic functions up to the age of seventy (70) years. If the faculty member is willing  to continue teaching after such age, and the Faculty Council has no objection, he may  continue teaching as Professor Emeritus. 
2. Upon retirement, the professor shall be entitled to financial assistance from the  University in accordance with the program of retirement already in existence. 

Art. 17: GUEST PROFESSORS 

1. Professors of other Ecclesiastical Institutions, who are experts in the Sacred Sciences,  may be invited to give short courses on relevant problems. They may also be invited  to teach in the Ecclesiastical Faculties as ‘Guest or Visiting Professors.’ 
2. Likewise, professors of the Civil Faculties, who are prominent in areas somehow  related to the Ecclesiastical studies, may be invited to lecture on specific problems so  that the aspirants for the priesthood may be able to grasp the relations and harmony  between profane and sacred sciences (Pastores Dabo Vobis, 66). 
3. The guest lecturers are invited by the Dean upon consultation with the Faculty  Council. Other professors, experts in particular fields, may be invited to speak to the  students as the occasion arises. 
4. The appointment of Guest Professors shall be renewed every Academic Term.

Art. 18: PROFESSORS “EMERITI” AND HONORARY PROFESSORS 

1. Professors who have discharged their academic assignments in an outstanding  manner may be conferred, upon the approval of the respective Faculty Council, the  title of Professors “Emeriti” upon their resignation or retirement in accordance with  the Statutes.

2. Likewise, upon the approval of the respective Faculty Council, the title of Honorary  Professor may be awarded to scholars who have excelled in research work or scientific  writing and who earned international reputation in their respective fields. 

Art. 19: ADMISSION 

1. The Ecclesiastical Faculties are primarily open to future members of the diocesan  clergy. However, they are also open to religious men and women and lay persons,  provided they meet the required qualifications including the completion of the “kind  of study title which would be necessary to permit enrollment in a civil university”  (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 32, §1). 
2. To be admitted to any Faculty, all applicants must present a written permission or a certificate of good moral character from their respective Ordinary or his delegate (Art.  31 of Veritatis Gaudium and its Norms of Application, Art. 26, §1). 
3. The admission of students to the Ecclesiastical Faculties is handled by their respective  Admission Committee, whose functions are the following:
   a. To evaluate the academic records and other pertinent credentials of the applicants;
   b. To administer the entrance examination;
   c. To propose to the Dean who among the applicants may be admitted after due  verification of their qualifications. 
   
   
4. The Admission Committee is composed of the Dean of the respective Faculty as Chair,  the Secretary of the Ecclesiastical Faculties, and if needed, one professor from the  respective Faculties, as members. In the admission of diocesan resident seminarians,  the Rector of the Central Seminary should also be a member of this Committee. 

Art. 20: CLASSIFICATION 

Students in the Ecclesiastical Faculties are classified as follows (cf. Norms of Application of  the Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 27): 

1. Ordinary – those who pursue courses for the purpose of obtaining a degree; b. Extraordinary – those who pursue courses in order to meet the requirements of the  ecclesiastical career; 
2. Special – those who take up individual subjects, either main or auxiliary, for their  own advancement and without the intention of working for academic degrees.

Art. 21: ENROLLMENT 

No student may be enrolled in more than one Faculty to work for simultaneous academic  degrees (General Statutes, University of Santo Tomas, 2011, art. 46, no. 4). However, in the  Ecclesiastical Faculties whose programs of studies are recognized by the Government,  the students are allowed to enroll simultaneously in the corresponding Civil Faculty. 

Art. 22: CREDENTIALS 

1. To be admitted as an ordinary student in the Faculty of Sacred Theology, a student  must have completed the Ecclesiastical degree of Bachelor in Philosophy. In the absence  of an Ecclesiastical degree of Bachelor in Philosophy, the student may present a civil  degree of Bachelor of Arts major in Philosophy awarded by a seminary or any approved  institution without prejudice to Art. 74.a of the Apostolic Constitution Veritatis  Gaudium. In the absence of any of these two degrees, any Bachelor degree may be  presented but the student shall be required to undergo the preparatory program  (Associate in Philosophy program), which lasts for two years of study and requires the  completion of basic philosophy courses and Latin (see Norms of Application of the  Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 55.1.a).  
2. To be admitted as an ordinary student in the Faculty of Canon Law: a. Students who have no previous training in philosophy or theology, including  those who already hold an academic degree in civil law must complete the first  cycle, lasting for four semesters or two years (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 78, a).  “Students who prove that they have studied some of the subjects of the first  cycle at an appropriate faculty, university or institute may be dispensed from  them” (Norms of Application of the Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 62, §1).
   b. Students who have successfully completed the philosophical-theological curriculum in a seminary or in a theological faculty can be admitted  immediately into the second cycle, unless the Dean deems it necessary or  opportune, prior to their admittance, to require that they take a preliminary course in Latin or in the fundamental concepts of canon law (Norms of  Application of the Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 62, §1). Students who hold an  academic degree in civil law may be dispensed from some courses of the  second cycle (such as Roman law and civil law), but may not be exempt from  the three-year curriculum of studies for the Licentiate (Norms of Application of the Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 62, §2). 
3. Students who intend to pursue the course of Philosophy must present valid  credentials of their having satisfactorily completed the civil requirements for  admission to the University, aside from possessing a working knowledge of Latin.

4. With regard to new student applicants for the second or third cycles, the particular  norm stated in the curriculum of each Faculty should be followed. In order to be admitted to the Doctorate, one must have first obtained the Licentiate (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 49. § 1). 
5. All international students who are not native speakers of the English language must  take the TOEFL examination and submit a certificate of English proficiency.  

Art. 23: DISCIPLINE 

1. Students admitted to and enrolled in the Ecclesiastical Faculties are bound by virtue  of the fact to abide by and comply with all rules, regulations, policies and  requirements of the institution. Students found wanting in the observance of rules,  regulations, policies and requirements particularly, the observance of the study  program, the attendance at classes, and the taking of examinations shall be subject to  commensurate disciplinary action, as decided by the respective Faculty Council. 
2. In cases of grave violation of regulations, students may be suspended or even expelled from the Faculty. However, the students involved shall always be given the chance to  defend themselves and thus, to safeguard their rights in accordance with the  procedure established in the Student Handbook of the University (Veritatis Gaudium,  Art. 35). 

Art. 24: STUDENT ACTIVITIES 

1. To provide the students with an adequate forum for student dialogue, with a venue  to exercise co-responsibility in their formation, and with a representative body for  their participation in the life of the Ecclesiastical Faculties, each of these shall have a  Student Council to be governed by the rules of the Church and the University. 
2. Through the Student Council and its various commissions, the students shall be  encouraged to organize academic, cultural, liturgical and community service activities. These and other related activities, particularly the academic, are to be  supervised by the Administration of the respective Faculty according to the principles  of solidarity and subsidiarity. 

Art. 25: OFFICIALS AND OFFICE STAFF  

1. The authorities of the Ecclesiastical Faculties are assisted by a Faculty Secretary and a  Prefect of Library of the Ecclesiastical Faculties who shall be assistants to the Secretary  General and the Prefect of Libraries of the University respectively.
2. The duties and functions of the Secretary are:
   b. To conduct the official correspondence of the Faculties;
   c. To keep the archives and records of the Faculties;
   d. To issue and sign the official transcript of records;
   e. To keep the official seal and affix it to the official documents;
   f. To assist the Vice-Rector for Finance of the University in the collection of fees and  act as property custodian;
   g. To supervise the office of the Ecclesiastical Faculties;
   h. To be “ex officio” secretary of the various Faculty Councils;
   i. To do other duties as may be delegated to him by the respective Deans.
   
   
3. The Prefect of Library of the Ecclesiastical Faculties is responsible for the maintenance,  improvement and supervision of the libraries and prepares the annual budget thereof.  It is the duty of the Librarian to acquire books, old and new, as well as the principal  reviews and magazines necessary for research, teaching and the practical exercises  and seminars. 
   
   The Prefect of Libraries shall attend the Faculty Councils whenever matters pertinent  to his duty are considered. 

4. To safeguard confidential information of the Ecclesiastical Faculties, the office staff  must not be members of any labor union of the University. 

Art. 26: ECONOMIC MATTERS 

1. The University, through its Vice-Rector for Finance, shall provide the Ecclesiastical  Faculties with the necessary financial assistance to carry out their educational mission.  The annual budget shall include, among other things, an amount sufficient for the  preparation and training of faculty members and their participation in scientific  seminars and congresses as well as for the organization of special courses, symposia  and lectures. 
2. Students are given appropriate scholarship for their studies. All are required to pay  miscellaneous fees. Moreover, additional courses or subjects necessary to fulfill the  A.B. or M.A. degree requirements are subject to fees similar to those charged in the  Civil Faculties.

Art. 27: LIBRARY AND OTHER FACILITIES 

1. The Library of the Ecclesiastical Faculties shall be provided with a sufficient number  and variety of books, magazines, periodicals and Internet services, and other means  of scientific information for study and research. Furthermore, all the materials in the  Library shall be systematically cataloged, carefully stocked and made readily  available. Complete indexes of subjects and authors must be easily accessible for use. The library is headed by a trained librarian (Veritatis Gaudium, 55). 

2. The Library of the Ecclesiastical Faculties shall establish linkages with other similar  libraries (Norms of Application of the Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 45). 
3. The Ecclesiastical Faculties must also have lecture halls, audiovisual and technical  equipment and other tools suited to the teaching of the disciplines and proportionate  to the number of students enrolled (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 56, §1, and its Norms of  Application, 42).

Art. 28: COURSES OF STUDY 

1. The courses of study are covered in three cycles:
   a. The first cycle covers all the institutional subjects and a general initiation in the  scientific method, after which the bachelor’s degree may be acquired.
   b. The second cycle covers special courses and special training in scientific  investigation, after which the student may acquire the licentiate degree.
   c. The third cycle aims to lead the students towards academic maturity and a greater  proficiency through scientific investigation as may be evidenced in the production  of a scholarly thesis/dissertation truly relevant to the progress of the  corresponding discipline. 
   
   
2. In the second and third cycles, the number of class hours shall be reduced in favor of  practical exercises and seminars directed personally by the teachers of the disciplines  concerned, to enable the students to devote more time for research. 
   
   
3. The subjects offered in the above-mentioned cycles are divided into:
   a. Main subjects which are mandatory for both ordinary and extraordinary students;
   b. Auxiliary subjects which must be taken by all ordinary students in addition to the  main subjects;
   c. Elective subjects may be offered in the second and third cycles. 
   
   
4. The Faculty Council shall decide which auxiliary subjects are to be assigned to the  extraordinary students.

Art. 29: OFFICIAL EXAMINATIONS 

1. The sessions for Official Examinations are classified as:
   a. Regular, which are given at the end of the Academic Year for the subjects offered  throughout the year or at the end of the Academic Term.
   b. Special, which are given at the beginning of the school year. 

Outside of the aforementioned time schedule, no official examinations shall be  allowed except for academic degrees. 

2. Examinations for the school year may be oral or written according to the decision of  the Council of the respective Faculties. 
3. To be eligible for examination, the following are required:
   a. To have been enrolled in the subject or course concerned;
   b. To have attended the required number of classes and seminars;
   c. In the case of a cleric or religious student, to have permission from his Superior if  the examination is for a degree. 
   
   
4. An ordinary student who fails in a main subject is disqualified to pursue a course for  an academic degree. Furthermore, a student who incurs two failures shall be  disqualified from further admission to the Faculty. 
5. Ordinary students must successfully pass the final examinations in all subjects offered  during the school year, before being admitted to the examinations for academic  degrees. 
6. The Faculty Council shall determine whether the examination for academic degrees  shall be oral, written, or both, as well as their duration. In any case, they shall cover  the subjects pertaining to the respective cycles. 
7. Failure in an examination for a degree disqualifies the candidates from further  admission to that degree. In individual meritorious cases, the Faculty Council, for  good reason, may readmit a candidate to another examination. 

Art. 30: ACADEMIC DEGREES 

The cyclical Courses of Study offered in the three Ecclesiastical Studies lead to the  following degrees: 

Bac. Lic. Doct. 

Philosophy 3 yrs. 2 yrs. 3 yrs. 
Theology 3 yrs. 2 yrs. 2 yrs.
Canon Law NA 3 yrs. 2 yrs.

Art. 31 OTHER REQUIREMENTS 

1. In the selection of the topic and the elaboration of the thesis, the requirements,  pertinent thereto and as specified in the prospectus of each faculty, shall be followed. 
2. After the approval of the doctoral dissertation, the candidate must have his thesis  printed according to a form prescribed by the Office of the Ecclesiastical Faculties.  Thirty (30) copies of the published dissertation shall be submitted to the Office of the  Ecclesiastical Faculties before the diploma is granted to the graduate concerned, who  only then may use the title “doctor.” A printed copy of the dissertation is to be sent to  the Congregation for Catholic Education. 
3. Candidates who have fulfilled all the requirements for degrees and are approved for  graduation are required to attend the Graduation Exercises