Reforms and Reformers. Towards the Dismantling of the Colleges and the University of Alcalá Starting from the College of Saints Justa and Rufina also Called the College of the Sevillians

Abstract

There were two main university reforms that influenced on the development and continuity of the University of Alcala (in general) and of the College of Saints Justa and Rufina also known as the College of the Sevillians (in particular). The first reform was made by Garcia Medrano between 1663 and 1666, which led to the reorganization of smaller schools, its assets and its policies.This reform did not affect the College of Saints Justa and Rufina (the College of the Sevillian). The second reform was made by Pedro Díaz de Rojas in 1775, and was part of the university reform that King Carlos III began in Spain and its colonies. For University of Alcala this reform marked the beginning of its decline and disappearance. According to Enlightenment thinkers, the causes that led to the decline of this Hispanic university fell upon the Society of Jesus (Compañía de Jesús) for trying to control all levels of education and in particular for the corporatist spirit of its own collegial institution that distributed government and management positions alike, both civil and ecclesiastical. In 1842 their schools were closed and their assets were transferred to the Central University of Madrid.