Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí

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Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi (UASLP)
Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí


Motto:	Siempre Autonoma por Mi Patria Educare
Established:	1626
Type:	Public, Federal
President:	Mario Garcia Valdez
Students:	18,133 (2000)
Undergraduates:	17,221 (2000)
Postgraduates:	912 (2000)
Location:	City of San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
Website:	www.uaslp.mx

The Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí (UASLP) is a public university in Mexico. It is the largest university in the state of San Luis Potosí, and in 1923 became the first autonomous university in Mexico.

[edit] History

A Jesuit college was founded in 1624 in the city of San Luis Potosí, to teach literacy and as a secondary and high school. In 1625 governor Ildefonso Díaz de León directed the creation of the Colegio Guadalupano Josefino. Opening on 2 June 1626, the college initially included curricula in Humanities, Philosophy, Theology and Law. Six years later Medicine was added. The first rector (president) was Manuel María de Gorriño y Arduengo. Unfortunately, there were not always teachers available for all of the curricula and due to political and civil unrest there were times, especially in the 1800s, when the college had to temporarily suspend classes. In 1855 the attempt to teach medicine was dropped.

During the revolution when church property was seized, the main college building including the library and the astronomical observatory were confiscated from the church. However, the college continued, although only the Instituto Científico y Literario was able to grant degrees.

On 10 January 1923, governor Rafael Nieto issued Decree No. 106, which established the University of San Luis Potosí. Included in the integration were the faculties of the Instituto Científico y Literaro, Medicine, Jurisprudence (Law), Chemistry and Business. It included the Civil Hospital, the San Luis Potosi Public Library, the State Meteorological Observatory, and the normal school for training teachers.

In 1949, Decree Number 53, under Article 100 of the Political Constitution of the State of San Luis Potosi, was issued, which defined the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, as it is now constituted.