La Universidad de Alcalá y el Colegio de Sevillanos, la desaparición de una universidad

Abstract

There were two main university reforms that influencedon the development and continuity of the University ofAlcala in general way and of the College of Santas Justa yRufina community College, well-known as the College of theSevillians in specific way. The first reform was made between1663 and 1666 by Garcia Medrano, who led the reorganizationof smaller schools, possessions and constitutions. This reformdid not affect in Santas Justa y Rufina community college. Thesecond one was made by Pedro Díaz de Rojas in 1775, and waspart of the university reform plan ordered by the King CarlosIII for his possessions in Spain and the colonies. For Universityof Alcalá, this reform marked the beginning of its decline anddisappearance. According to Enlightenment thinkers, thereasons that led to the decline of this Hispanic university feltupon the Society of Jesus due to they were trying to controlall levels of education as well as the collegiate institutionsitself which represented a corporatist soul. This statement hadthe purpose of distribute the government and managementpositions in civil and ecclesiastical institutions. In 1842, thecolleges were closed and their assets were transferred to the Central University of Madrid.