Before UPCA became UPLB, the university was already performing a trilogy of functions: teaching, research and extension. As the highest academic body in UPLB, the University Council formulates instruction policies. Until 1984, there was no parallel body for consultation and policy-making in research and extension.

The University Research and Extension Council (UREC)

The UREC was created through Executive Order No. 5 series of 1984 to provide direction for research at UPLB and to coordinate the university's research programs and activities. The UREC operates at the university level as a policy-making body and an adviser to the UPLB Chancellor. Specifically, the UREC:

• Determines or recommends whenever appropriate, policies, standards, and rules relating to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of university and extension programs;
• Periodically reviews university research and extension thrusts/ directions;
• Reviews and recommends policies concerning research and extension personnel;
• Serves as channel for communication among the different units of the university about major developments in research and extension;
• Serves as a forum for discussion of issues; and
• Advises the university administration on matters requiring decisions or action.

UREC Members

Automatic membership to the UREC is given to the following:

• Personnel with academic designation of University Researcher I (SG 16) or higher and University Extension Specialist I or higher (equivalent to Instructor IV or higher); and
• Faculty members with rank of at least Assistant Professor I serving as leaders of research and extension programs officially approved by UPLB.

By virtue of their administrative positions, the following are ex-officio members:

• The UPLB Chancellor as ex-officio chair;
• The Vice-Chancellor for Research and Extension as UREC secretary;
• The vice-chancellors for instruction, planning and development, administration, and community affairs;
• Deans of academic units;
• Heads of research and extension units; and
• College/ unit research and/ or extension coordinators.

Standing and Ad-hoc Committees

The following are the different standing and ad-hoc committees of the UREC and their functions:

UREC Executive Committee

• With the Chancellor as Chair, the committee is composed of all deans, vice-chancellors, chairs of standing committees, and seven (7) members elected at-large who shall serve a term of two (2) years without reelection.
• It convenes to decide urgent matters for the council when it is impractical to wait for a meeting of the entire council. Such decisions shall be reported to the council at its next meeting.
• It reviews the items previously acted upon by other UREC committees and determines the agenda of UREC meetings.

Committee on Research Direction and Utilization

• Reviews policy proposals concerning identification of research thrusts and priorities; piloting and demonstration of university-developed technologies; publications; information systems; and training and other extension activities.

Committee on Research and Extension Administration

• Reviews and recommends proposals for consideration of the council on matters pertaining to the institution and improvement of fiscal and business procedures; establishment, support, and maintenance of laboratories and other facilities; and the evaluation and monitoring of activities and other administrative matters.

Committee on Personnel Welfare

• Reviews items addressed to the UREC, particularly on matters relating to personnel welfare and discipline such as compensation, workload, fringe benefits, working conditions, training and scholarships.

Other Committees

• As it deems appropriate, the UREC, by majority vote, may form other standing committees. The UREC chair may form ad-hoc to study important issues not covered by any of the standing committees.