The University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos was founded in 1941 in Talisay, Negros Occidental by Dr. Antonio A. Lizares and Dr. Francisco Kilayko. Then known as Occidental Negros Institute, the school initially offered only the first and second years of high school education. Upon the outbreak of World War II in the Philippines in December of that same year, the institute closed temporarily.

Occidental Negros Institute was re-established in Bacolod City in 1946, this time offering elementary, high school and three tertiary degree programs. The campus transferred from Locsin Street (formerly Smith Street) to Lupit Subdivision in Lizares Avenue, its present site, in 1950. Dr. Antonio Lizares served as the school’s first President with Dr. Francisco Kilayko as the School Director.

On May 15, 1957, ONI was raised to a university status by the then Acting Secretary of Education, Martin V. Aguilar, Jr. ONI then became the University of Negros Occidental (UNO), the first university in the province. Five years later, on May 25, 1962, UNO passed into the hands of the Augustinian Recollect friars who brought with them a wealth of experience in the field of education. UNO then became the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) with Fr. Federico Terradillos, OAR, as the first Rector.

UNO-Recoletos, today stands as a living symbol of quality Catholic Christian education. UNO-Recoletos draws inspiration from St. Augustine’s theme, “Caritas et  Scientia” in the pursuit of her goals for the students in all levels.

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: