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Universidad Nacional de Cordoba

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The Universidad Nacional de Cordoba (UNC), is the oldest university in Argentina, and one of the first in South America. It is located in Cordoba, the capital of Cordoba Province. Since the early 20th century it has been the second largest university in the country (after the University of Buenos Aires) in terms of the number of students, faculty, and academic programs. As the location of the first university founded in the land that is now Argentina, Cordoba has earned the nickname La Docta .

History

The Jesuit Era

In 1610 the Society of Jesus founded the Collegium Maximum in Cordoba, which was attended by students of the order. An institution of the highest intellectual caliber for the time, this was the precursor of the university. While still under the control of the Jesuits, and during the administration of Bishop Juan Fernando de Treja y Sanabria, advanced studies began to be offered at what was now known as the Colegio Maximo de Cordoba. The school did not yet have authority to confer degrees. This milestone would be soon reached; on August 8, 1621 Pope Gregory XV granted this authority by an official document, which arrived in the city in April 1622. With this authorization, and with the approval of the church hierarchy and the provincial head of the Jesuits, Pedro de Onate, the university began its official existence. This also marks the beginning of the history of higher education in Argentina.

The Jesuits remained in control of the university until 1767, when they were expelled by order of King Carlos III. Leadership then passed to the Franciscan order. For the first 150 years after its founding, the university maintained an exclusive focus on philosophy and theology. In 1687, under the aegis of the university, secondary schools were created, such as Our Lady of Monserrat, founded by a scholarly priest named Ignacio Duarte Quiros. At the end of the 18th century, law studies were added (with the creation of the School of Law and Social Sciences), and from this time forward studies at the university were no longer exclusively theological. Following a conflict between the Franciscans and the secular clergy over the direction of the university, the house of study was renamed (by royal decree) to Royal University of Saint Charles and Our Lady of Monserrat. With this new name the university acquired the double title of Royal and Pontifical, and Monsignor Gregorio Funes was appointed president. With these changes, the Franciscans were replaced by the secular clergy as leaders of the university.

Post-Jesuit Era

Monsignor Funes was the architect of profound reforms in studies and introduced new subjects. On May 25, 1810 the May Revolution began, and the new regime took control of the University of Cordoba, although Monsignor Funes remained in his post. In 1820 the university was relocated in other parts of the province of Cordoba, due to a situation of disorganization and chaos across the nation. Around the middle of the 19th century, a new national constitution was ratified, which outlined the new framework for the political organization of Argentina. At this time there were two provincial universities in the country: one in Cordoba and one in Buenos Aires (founded in 1821). The former was nationalized in 1856, the latter in 1881, leaving both under control of the national government. Between 1860 and 1880, many academic reforms were instituted, similar to those occurring at other universities around the world. In 1864 theological studies were finally eliminated. During the presidency of Faustino Sarmiento the sciences gained momentum through the recruitment of foreign lecturers specializing in Mathematical-Physical Science, leading to the opening of the School of Exact, Physical, and Natural Sciences. This period also saw the birth of the Academy of Exact Sciences and the Astronomical Observatory. In 1877 the School of Medicine was opened. In 1885 the Law of Avellaneda, the first law pertaining to universities, was passed, laying out the ways in which the bylaws of the national universities could be amended, and their administrative framework, leaving other matters under the control of the universities themselves. In 1886 the bylaws of the university in Cordoba were modified to conform to the new law.

The Reform of 1918

In June of 1918 the student body at the university of Cordoba launched a movement, to which others all around the continent soon lent their voices, to fight for genuine democratization of the academic world. In Argentina, it gave birth to the University Reform that gave universities their autonomy.

The Cordobazo Uprising

In May of 1969 a series of socio-economic events, closely connected to the French May (which had occurred exactly one year earlier), and with participation by students of the university as well as by workers of the middle and lower classes, led to changes in the educational and political strategies of the university. During the 20th century a number of new schools were created within the university, most of which began as institutes or departments within existing schools: the School of Philosophy and the Humanities, the School of Economics, the School of Architecture and Urban Studies (with Design added later), the School of Dentistry, the School of Chemistry, the School of Agriculture, and the School of Mathematics, Astronomy and Physics. Also created were the College of Languages (which later became a School) and the Manuel Belgrano College of Business.

Historical Reference

Hernan Ramirez, La Universidad de Cordoba. Socializacion y reproduccion de la elite en el periodo colonial y principios del independiente, Cordoba, Ferreyra Editor, 2002.

Recent Events

In 2005 tensions erupted among the teaching staff, involving forceful tactics such as strikes and large-scale demonstrations in the city streets by students, faculty and citizens unaffiliated with the university, as demands were made for fairer pay and the cost of living increases required by law. As the year progressed some agreements were reached but the situation remains unresolved and protests continue.

At the University Assembly which took place on December 16, 2006 Dr. Carolina Scotto was elected president for the period of 2007 through 2010, becoming the first woman chosen to direct this institution. She was inaugurated on April 25, 2007. [*].

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Schools of the University

School of Law and Social Science

School of Architecture, Urban Studies, and Design

School of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences

School of Economics

School of Chemistry

School of Agriculture

School of Medicine

School of Philosophy and the Humanities

School of Mathematics, Astronomy, and Physics

School of Languages

School of Dentistry

School of Psychology

Affiliated Institutions of Secondary Education

Our Lady of Monserrat College

Manuel Belgrano School of Business

Other Affiliated Institutions

National Clinical Hospital

National Maternity

Dental Clinic

Blood Laboratory

Museum of Paleontology and Anthropology

Academy of Sciences

Center for Advanced Studies

Departments and Services of the University

Steps: Healthcare system for university students

Athletic Department: Offers students opportunities to participate in sports and other physical activities, primarily on campus

University Dining Services: Operates during the academic year and offers meals from Monday through Friday, with three daily menus overseen by a nutrition specialist

Career Assistance: Specialized staffpeople provide counseling to students and prospective students on planning for a professional career, and on academic matters

Grants: Grant programs funded by the national government and by contributions from students of the university

Main Library: Includes more than 150,000 manuscripts and periodicals from the 19th century

University Campus

An area located in the center of the city, made up of 23 buildings for classes and cultural activities.

External links

Official Sites

National University of Cordoba