University of San Jose–Recoletos

University of San Jose – Recoletos
Unibersidad ng San Jose – Recoletos
Motto	Breaking Barriers, Empowering Lives Caritas et Scientia (Charity and Science) Quality Christian Community Oriented Education
Established	1947
Type	Catholic, private, Recollect
President	Rev. Fr. Enrico Peter A. Silab, OAR
Location	Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
Campus	Basak Campus, Main Campus, Balamban Campus
Former names	Colegio de San Jose - Recoletos (1947-1984)
Colors	Green, Gold, Yellow
Sports	Shakey's V-League, CESAFI, PRISAA
Nickname	Josenians, USJ-R Jaguars, SanJo
Mascot	Jaguar
Website	http://www.usjr.edu.ph

The University of San Jose – Recoletos (formerly known as Colegio de San Jose – Recoletos) is a Catholic private university founded in 1947 in Cebu City, Philippines by the Order of Augustinian Recollects. From classes held in an old building and a portion of the convent, the school built modern structures while retaining classic features.

The university has three campuses , two of which are located in different areas of Metro Cebu – the main campus along Corner P. Lopez and Magallanes Sts. and the Basak Campus at Cebu South Road, Basak Pardo, Cebu City. Its third campus, the newly-built Balamban Campus is located in Arpili, a barangay in the Municipality of Balamban, still in the province of Cebu.

About USJ-R

History

USJ-R Main Campus Facade

A top view image of USJ-R main campus

It started with only elementary and secondary education in 1947. Classes were then held in a portion of the convent as well as in classrooms housed in an old building along Magallanes St. was built. In an unprecedent spirit of expansion, the year 1965 witnessed the tearing down of the time-honored Recoletos Church and was demolished after thorough and emotionally-charged deliberations as the conservatives of the church fought for its preservation.

However, tradition had given way to progress. In 1968, the six-storey edifice built along P. Lopez St. was erected to accommodate more students and expand the school's facilities and instructional resources. Far and wide, the years after 1970 and onward found the University of San Jose – Recoletos (then CSJ-R) in a period of consistent growth and development.

The Recoletos Coliseum in Basak Campus

In 1980, CSJ-R bought a new site in Basak Pardo, Cebu City, then built the new building for the grade and high schools, the Recoletos Coliseum, Open Gymnasium and the Pope Paul II Retreat House. In 1996, the Talavera House of Prayer was built in the scenic hills of Quiot, Cebu City.

On September 21, 1984, USJ-R attained university status. Spanning years of accreditation and re-accreditation, USJ-R, Level 3, PAASCU, was granted Autonomous by CHED in 2001.

The curricular programs of USJ-R evolved from traditional to innovative course offerings. Arts and Sciences (started as liberal arts in 1947); Commerce and Education (founded in 1948); Engineering (1961); Bachelor of Laws (1957); and the Graduate School (1962). In 2003, the College of Information, Computer and Communications Technology was created. The Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) followed in the same year. On April 1, 2004, the Vertical Alignment of the undergraduate and graduate schools took effect which established five graduate schools: Graduate School of Business and Management, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Graduate School of Information Technology and Computer Studies, Graduate School of Education and Graduate School of Engineering.

In June 2004, the B.S. in Nursing started its first operation due to the rampant demand of nurses nowadays. The university's pioneering students of the College of Nursing held its 1st Capping, Badge Investiture and Candle Lighting Ceremony on June 2006 at the Recoletos Coliseum, Basak Campus.

The colonnaded arched facade of the University of San Jose - Recoletos Main Campus gives it a strong Romanesque appeal

Part of USJ-R’s campaign is the provision of infrastructures and facilities to aid learning. Thus the rise of many school buildings like the Nursing Skills Laboratory, the St. Ezekiel Moreno Building, the International Language Center, the Recoletos Law Center, and the LET and CPA Review Centers.

Recently, the new St. Ezekiel Moreno Building was established in the Basak Campus exclusive for the College of Information, Computer and Communications Technology (CICCT) and the College of Education (COE).

USJ-R Basak Campus (St. Ezekiel Moreno Building)

USJ-R opens the latest programs: Doctor of Philosophy in English, Master of Arts in Education major in Guidance and Counseling, Master of Media Studies with specialization in Broadcast Media and Journalism, Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, Diploma in advance program in Special Education and the English Language Program for foreign and Filipino students.

The years that followed gave the school opportunities to expand. On November 28, 1998, the 52nd General Chapter held in Granada, Spain, voted for the creation of a new Religious Province in the Philippines dedicated to St. Ezekiel Moreno, OAR. The Recollect Philippine Province, where USJ-R belongs, now stands as the eighth regional cluster of communities of the Order of Augustinian Recollect worldwide.

Campuses

Inside USJ-R Main Campus showing the San Jose Bldg. (left) and San Nicolas Bldg. (right)

Inside the main campus showing the mini parking lot

Main Campus

Location: Corner P. Lopez and Magallanes Sts., Cebu City, Philippines

Buildings

• San Jose Building
• San Agustin Building
• San Nicolas Building
• Mount Carmel Building

Students competing for a Basketball game at the USJ-R Basak Campus

Our Lady of Consolation Building (Grade School - High School)

USJ-R Basak Amphitheater

Basak Campus

Location: Natalio Bacalso Avenue, Basak Pardo, Cebu City, Philippines

Buildings

• Our Lady of Consolation Building
• Saint Ezekiel Moreno Building
• The Recoletos Coliseum

USJ-R's Basak Campus houses the Recoletos Coliseum and a soccer field. Intramural events are mostly done in Basak Campus. The soccer field also serves as marching and demonstration ground for boy scouts, girl scouts, and students undergoing civic welfare and reserve officers training.

Balamban Campus

Location: Arpili, Balamban, Cebu, Philippines

The Balamban Campus hosts a gymnasium, a separate building for the chapel and another for the auditorium. A swimming pool and open gym would also be constructed. In addition to this, an exclusive dormitory named The Nicopolis will be constructed in the Balamban Campus. Buildings for the high school, grade school and college departments would also be constructed.

Administrators

• Rev. Fr. Enrico Peter Silab, OAR (University President)
• Rev. Fr. Edwin Macmac, OAR (VP - Academics)
• Rev. Fr. Raul Buhay, OAR (VP - Administration, Basak Campus Director, Graduate School Coordinator)
• Rev. Fr. Charlito Orobia, OAR (VP -Students Welfare, Scholarships Director, Sports Moderator)
• Rev. Fr. Hernando Coja, OAR (VP -Business and Finance)
• Rev. Fr. Amado Emmanuel Bolilia, OAR (VP - Religious Affairs; Director, Center for Religious Education; Property Custodian)
• Rev. Fr. Randolph Castillo, OAR (CMO Director, Main Campus Chaplain)
• Rev. Fr. Roland Cepe, OAR (INFECOP Director,)
• Rev. Fr. Constantino Real, OAR (Prior to the Community)
• Rev. Fr. Jay Parilla, OAR (Chaplain, Basak Campus)

Other Schools operated by the Order of Augustinian Recollects (OAR)

• University of Negros Occidental - Recoletos (Bacolod City)
• San Sebastian College - Recoletos de Cavite
• San Sebastian College - Recoletos de Manila
• Colegio de Santo Tomas-Recoletos (San Carlos City, Negros Occidental)
• Santo Tomas de Villanueva Recoletos Formation House (High School) (San Carlos City, Negros Occidental)
• Casiciaco Recoletos Seminary / Seminario Mayor - Recoletos de Baguio (Philosophy) (Baguio City)
• Recoletos Formation Center (Theology) (Mira-Nila Homes, Quezon City)
• San Pedro Academy - Recoletos (Caidiocan, Valencia, Negros Oriental)
• San Pedro Academy - Recoletos (Poblacion, Valencia, Negros Oriental)
• Colegio San Nicolas de Tolentino - Recoletos / UNO-R High School Talisay Branch (Talisay City, Negros Occidental)

External links

• Official Website
• Recoletos Communications, Inc.
• University Profile (Video Streaming)
• Twitter updates
• LinkedIn Alumni Network