Two Negrense visionaries dreamt of offering quality education to the people of Negros. Dr. Antonio Lizares and Dr. Francisco Kilayko realized their dreams by putting up a secondary school named as Occidental Negros Institute (ONI) in Talisay in 1941. However, in December of that year, the war broke out and closed down the school.

In 1946, the two founders pursued their dream and reestablished ONI at Locsin Street in Bacolod City. It opened with an elementary Department, High School Department and 3 degree programs in College. Due to the quality of education that ONI offered, a great increase was influx of students, the former venue could no longer accommodate thus a bigger space was needed. Hence, ONI was transferred to the present site at Lizares Avenue in 1948.

ONI continued to grow as an institution of quality education in Negros Occidental. With its mark of excellence in education, the government recognized the institution and elevated ONI to a university status in 1957. Thus,Occidental Negros Institute was renamed as University of Negros Occidental (UNO). This made the UNO as the 1^st university in the province of Negros with Dr. Antonio Lizares as its first University President and Dr. Francisco Kilayko as Chairman of the Board.

On May 25,1962, the administration of the university was passed to the hands of the Order of Augustinian Recollects (OAR). UNO was now named as University of Negros Occidental - Recoletos and was placed under the guidance and protection of St. Nicholas of Tolentino, the Patron Saint of UNO-R. Rev. Fr. Federico Terradillos,OAR was named as the first Rector. The administration of the Recollect Fathers made UNO-R as the 1^st Catholic University in the Province of Negros Occidental.

In 1996, UNO-R celebrated its Golden Jubilee as an academic institution that has and continues to produce international, national and local achievers in the different fields.

Today, the university stands as one of the models of excellence in education as the Commission on Higher Education has declared UNO-R as one of the three Autonomous Institutions in Region VI in 2008 and has also been categorized as Category A (t). Likewise, most of the colleges have been accredited by PAASCU.

Academic year 2011-2012 marks another milestone in the history of the university as it celebrates its Golden anniversary as a Recollect institution in the island of Negros.

As a Catholic University imbued with the Augustinian recollect style of viewing education, the University of Negros Occidental- Recoletos commits itself to provide the climate, the structure, and the means by which vocation, technical skills and talents of all members of the academic community can be optimally developed and inextricable permeated by faith so they can be used in the service of the people for the glory of God.

The University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos envisions itself as:

As a Catholic University faithful to St. Augustine’s teachings, which aim to make knowledge a structure of wisdom such that the search for knowledge (Scientia) should lead one to exercise love (caritas), the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos strives to impart the Augustinian Recollect style of Education, which seeks to develop the person integrally.

At the end of the formation, the students are expected to be:

• Spiritually sound individuals who are Christ-centered and Marian-inspired.

• Intellectually inspired individuals who are able to rationally and eloquently communicate their ideas and appreciate the arts as an infinite reflection of the beauty of God;

• Morally healthy individuals who can weigh values with a great sense of accountability;

• Physically healthy individuals who give due respect to the human body, keeping it fit as a temple of the HOLY SPIRIT;

• Culturally-conscious individuals who value heritage earned by past generations, enriching it by promoting desirable traditions and rendering authentic service to the Church and the country for the common good.

• Socially concerned individuals who are sensitive and responsive to the  needs of the marginalized sector of the community and the society;

• Technically proficient individuals who are superior in useful skills in the practice of professions; and

• Scholarly leaders of science who extend the frontiers of knowledge through experimentation and verification bringing about a deeper evaluation of problems that will make them see profoundly the synthesis of faith, reason, culture, and life.

UNO – RECOLETOS: Cradle of Excellence

The University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos translates its mission statement into the following four steps domains of schooling:

• Academic: Continuing education with religion as the core to qualified persons with preferential option for the poor from the elementary to the graduate levels;

• Non-Academic: opening of opportunities for the development of skills and talents in the areas of sports and cultural endeavors;

• Community extension: complementation of the study programs with inter-disciplinary outreach projects that will enable the academic community to be actively involved in the promotion of the total development of man; and

• Research: Enrichment of existing academic programs and broadening of knowledge through functional, ethical researches for the authentic good of individuals and the society.

Interiority

UNO-R is a community which constantly searches for the truth by returning into himself, discovering Christ and recognizing Him in its members.

As members of the community we aspire to develop values of:

• Contemplation

• Interior silence

• Prayer

• Truthfulness

• Communion

Love

UNO-Rian strives to create and build a community founded on love of God and neighbor and to which everybody would like to belong or be part of.

As members of the community we aspire to develop values of:

• Acceptance

• Commitment

• Forgiveness

• Respect

• Trust

Marian (Discipleship)

UNO-R is a community of disciples who like Mary, Our Lady of Consolation, the first disciple of the Lord, unceasingly draws all her members to God through an act of faith by listening to God’s Word and embracing it with generous and open heart and bear fruit through perseverance.

As UNO-RIANS, we strive for:

• Openness

• Sensitivity to other’s needs

• Selflessness

• Witnessing

• Obedience

Moral Integrity

UNO-R is a community that strives to live a life based on the Gospel. As persons committed to the teachings of Christ we endeavor to live the values of:

• Uprightness

• Transparency

• Honesty

• Conscientiousness

• Justice

• Decency

Service

UNO-R is a community that strives to develop in all her members the values and qualities of humble and generous service. It seeks to build up a community where everyone aimed towards authentic service for benefit of the common good.

As members of the community we aspire to develop values of:

• Solidarity

• Genuine Commitment
• Responsibility

• Passion and zeal

Passion for Excellence

UNO-R is a community where all the members aspire to be and to do their best as gifted persons in response to the Lord invitation “You must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

As members of the community, we strive to have…

• Proficiency

• Love of knowledge

• Vision

• Patience

• Humility to learn

Community life

UNO-R is a community that strives to develop in all her members the values/qualities that will enable them to live and work in harmony with others in all circumstances and conditions, reflecting UNO-R as SEEDBED of people for others forever they will be led by their vocation, profession and mission.

As members of the community, we strive to develop values of:

• Other-centeredness

• Family

• Unity in diversity

• Sense of Belongingness

• Solidarity

JUSTICE AND PEACE

UNO-R is a community that strives to develop in all her members the values and qualities of JUSTICE and PEACE. It is the commitment to give what is due to others upholding what is fair, just and lawful, for unity and harmony.

A UNO-Rian, therefore, values…

• Justice

• Peace

• Harmony

• Care for Nature

• Care for Resources