USPF College of Law 3.9

The University of Southern Philippines was founded by men and women who felt the need of establishing a private, non-sectarian educational institution that would offer high standards of instruction within the reach of the average man in the community. These men and women were: Agustin Jereza,a civil engineer from the State University of Iowa; Virgilio Gonzales, a doctor of medicine from the University of the Philippines;Miguel Sanson, a practicing attorney; Mrs. Natividad Villa-Albino, a school teacher;Felipe Ouano,Fructuoso Ramos,and Hipolito Andrada,businessmen; and Dr. Jose Mirasol,a chemist and former dean of the Cebu Junior College, then the Cebu branch of the University of the Philippines. Dr. Mirasol served as the first director of the school.

The University of Southern Philippines was first called Southern Institute at the time it was founded on May 14, 1927. The Southern Institute was granted a permit to operate a complete elementary course and the first two years of secondary education on May 29, 1927 At first, classes were held in a rented building in Colon Street, Cebu City with 121 students. Two years later on August 28, 1929 the Government Recognition of the secondary course was granted and the school turned out fifteen graduates.

The Second World War in 1942 - 1944 razed the school buildings to the ground with the exception of the façade of the Administration Building. The U.S. Army occupied the campus. After the war the school was reconstructed, using the surplus materials bought from the U.S. Army.

The school was re-opened in 1945 at Camputhaw (now Lahug), three kilometers from the old site, as all its old buildings were destroyed as a result of the war. The course offered were the Liberal Arts Course, the Secondary Course, the Law Course and the College of Education. The College of Commerce and College of Civil Engineering was re-opened in 1946. The government recognition of all these courses were renewed and granted in 1947.

On July 1, 1949 the Southern College was granted a Government Recognition No. 258 Series of 1949-1950 to operate a Post-Graduate Course in Education, specifically Master of Arts in Education which paved the way for attaining a university status. The name Southern College was changed to University of Southern Philippines on July 8, 1949. The graduate courses that had been offered then were: Master of Arts in Education, Master of Arts in English, Master of Arts in Teaching Sociology and Master of Arts in Teaching English.

All the above expansions caused the Mabini Campus to extend itself to V. Gullas (formerly Manalili) and P. Burgos streets where the Sanson and Doña Beatriz Hall that house the Elementary Department, the Gonzales Hall that houses the College of Engineering, and the Home Economics Building are located.

In 1959, the stockholders agreed to dissolve the original stock corporation and converted USP into a non-stock, non-profit foundation. In May 28, 1959, it was officially registered with SEC as a foundation.

In 1989-90, the University President, Engr. Oscar Jereza, Sr. announced the decision reached by the Board of Trustees to temporarily stop operations in all levels at the Mabini Campus. This was aimed at cutting down on cost by concentrating in one campus; that is, the Lahug Campus. Recognizing the moral obligation of the institution towards the students, classes were conducted for all graduating students at the Lahug Campus during 1990-91. No new enrollees, however, were admitted to college.

By 1991-92, the university, under the leadership of the new president, Dr. Ronald R. Duterte, decided to reopen college operations phasing in the courses by year levels; that is, first year of all recognized courses was offered during this school year; first and second year by 1992-93, and so on until all years are opened.

In August, 1996 the USP Alumni Hall which houses the famous Rizaliana Museum was inaugurated.

In 1995-96, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy was given Government Recognition to conduct and operate the said course.

In June 1999, the College of Law re-opened and a new graduate program, Master of Science in Environmental Management was offered.

On January 28, 2003, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) issued a permit for USPF to open and conduct First Year of the four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing starting June 2003.

On March 5, 2003, CHED issued Government Recognition No. 104 s. 2003 to conduct and operate the Four Year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) course, effective SY 2003-2004.

On January 6, 2004, the Don Agustin Jereza Hall was already occupied and this new building houses the College of Nursing, College of Law, College of Computer Studies and Information Technology and the College of Engineering and Architecture. The building also houses the Escolastico Duterte Library.

Courses opened during School Year 2004 – 2005 are Bachelor of Science in Office Administration, Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and the Diploma in Special Education and Diploma in Professional Education.

On November 20, 2005 the University President, Dr. Ronald R. Duterte passed away.

On December 1, 2005 the Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Alicia P. Cabatingan as the new University President.

This year, the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education successfully passed the PACUCOA Level I Accreditation during a visit last February 20-22, 2006.

For 57 years, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation has served the nation by producing professionals in different fields of specialization thereby making USPF true to its commitment.

Long live USPF!