Autonomous University of Santo Domingo

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Autonomous University of Santo Domingo
Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo
Established 1538
Type Public
Rector Roberto Antonio Reyna Tejada
Faculty 8
Staff --
Students --
Location Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Website www.uasd.edu.do

The Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (Spanish: Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD)) is a public university in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Founded during the reign of Charles I of Spain, it is the oldest institution of higher education in America.

Originally a seminary operated by Catholic monks of the Dominican Order, the institution was reorganized as a university by a papal bull (In Apostulatus Culmine dated 28 October 1538 by Pope Paul III), though it was then called Universidad Santo Tomás de Aquino (University of Saint Thomas Aquinas).

In structure, the school followed the model of the University of Alcalá de Henares. The university organized its offerings into four departments: Medicine, Law, Theology, and the Arts. Today, the University has expanded to eight departments: Humanities, the Arts, Laws and Political Sciences, Health Sciences, Economics and Social Sciences, Sciences, Engineering and Architecture, and Agricultural Sciences.

[edit] Autonomy and University Statutes

On December 31, 1961 Law No. 5778 was enacted, giving autonomy to the university. Since then, there has been a debate on institutional balance. On February 17 of the following year, the school chose its first administration under the new system.

[edit] University structure

The following bodies are charged with governing the University:

  • The Superior Cloister (El Claustro Mayor)
  • The Minor Cloister (El Claustro Menor)
  • The Universitary Council (El Consejo Universitario)
  • The Assembly of Colleges (Las Asambleas de Facultades)
  • The Technical Departmental Councils (Los Consejos Técnicos de Facultades)*

University bodies' resolutions are to be executed by:

  • The Rector when dictated by the Cloisters and the Council.
  • The departmental deans when dictated by the Assemblies and the Technical Councils.

The students are represented in all ruling bodies, comprising 33% of the members on each body.

The Cloister is the highest level of authority of the University and is divided into Superior and Minor branches. The Superior Cloister includes by all professors in active duty, researchers, emeritus professors (active and retired), students' delegates (5% of the total members of Cloister), and Administrative Personnel (2% of the total members of Cloister).*

    • (According to the University's Organic Statements; Art. Nos. 21 and 22)

[edit] External links

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