The University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos, commonly referred to by the short form "UNO-Recoletos" and by the acronym "UNO-R", is a private, Catholic university founded on 1941 in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. It is notable for being the first university in the city and in the whole province. 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 offered 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 elevated to university status by the Acting Secretary of Education, Martin V.