The NAME of the University shall be The Western Orthodox University – Faculties of Theology and Church Music (hereafter referred to as “the University”).

The University was founded on 1 August 1945 by the Catholicos of the West to perpetuate the work of the former Intercollegiate University (1888-1943). The Catholicate of the West was on 6 February 1977 formally united with the Apostolic Episcopal Church, which in turn on 6 February 2015 became a part of the Abbey-Principality of San Luigi. Today the University is a dependent institution of the Abbey-Principality. The Supreme Head of the University is the Prince-Abbot of San Luigi in his capacity of Catholicos of the West.

The University meets the requirements found in Section 1005.06(1)(f), Florida Statutes and Rule 6E-5.001, Florida Administrative Code. It is not under the jurisdiction or purview of the Commission for Independent Education and is not required to obtain licensure. The governing law of the University is the law of the State of Florida, and the Charter and Regulations of the University are to be interpreted as being subsidiary to the law of the State of Florida.

The University carries out the following OBJECTS:

1 To advance global knowledge, wisdom and understanding by designing, implementing, developing and promoting advanced and progressive education and training and offering academic and professional qualifications to prepare individuals for religious vocations as ministers, professionals, or laypersons in the categories of ministry, counseling, theology, education, administration, music, fine arts, media communications, and social work, in accordance with the principles, philosophy, beliefs and values of the Abbey-Principality of San Luigi and for the benefit of its members and the general public.

2 To offer academic methodologies including but not limited to taught courses, dissertation supervision, and the assessment of prior learning and life and professional experiences towards degree, diploma and certificate qualifications. To offer these methodologies through seminars, lectures, tutorials, tuition via the internet and correspondence, and any other methods to students located in any country in the world where such activities are permitted by law.

3 To grant religious certificates, diplomas and degrees in such subjects as the University shall decide, such degrees to include those of Bachelor, Master and Doctor, and such other academic award designations as the University shall, from time to time, introduce, provided that the titles of degrees issued by the institution cannot be confused with secular degree titles.

4 To evaluate and assess work completed and awards granted by other educational institutions and to allocate credit from such work and awards towards awards to be granted by the University.

5 To admit graduates of other Universities and equivalent Institutions to Degrees of equal or similar rank in the University.

6 To grant Degrees to any persons who hold office in the University or who shall have carried on research therein.

7 To grant to approved persons Honorary Degrees, Honorary Professorships or other academic distinctions.

8 On what the University shall deem to be good cause, to deprive persons of any Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates or other academic distinctions granted to them by the University.

9 To admit to any of the privileges of the University or to recognise for any purpose, and either in whole or in part, any University, College or Institution or the members or staff or students thereof, on such terms and conditions as may from time to time be prescribed by the University.

10 To enter into any agreement for the incorporation within the University of any other institution and for taking over its rights, property and liabilities and for any other purpose not repugnant to this Charter.

11 To join with any other University or with any other public or private Body, Institution, Authority or Association having in view or promoting any purpose the same as or similar or related to any purpose of the University, or to appoint one or more representatives to act upon any such Body, Institution, Authority or Association, in either case for such purposes as may be agreed upon or as may be provided for or permitted by law, on such terms and conditions as may from time to time be prescribed by the University.

12 To form partnerships and contractual arrangements with other institutions worldwide for the joint award of qualifications, or so that such institutions may offer tuition and assessment towards qualifications awarded by the University.

13 To institute such offices as the purposes of the University may require, to appoint persons to and remove them from such offices, and to prescribe their conditions of service. To institute and support Research Centres, Projects and similar establishments.

14 To prescribe rules for the discipline of the students of the University.

15 To establish, maintain, administer, govern, license and supervise places of residence for officers and for students of the University.

16 To institute and award Fellowships, Scholarships, Studentships, Prizes and other aids to study and research.

17 To make provision for research, design, development, testing and advisory services and with these objects to enter into such arrangements with other institutions or with public or private bodies as may be thought desirable and to charge to the users of such services such fees as may be thought desirable.

18 To print, reproduce and publish or to provide for the printing, reproduction and publication of research and other works to be issued by the University.

19 To sell or provide for reward or otherwise such books, stationery and other goods and services as may be deemed expedient and consistent with the objects of the University as a place of education, learning and research.

20 To demand and receive fees, to procure contributions to the funds of the University and to raise money in such other manner as the University may deem fit.

21 To receive and manage any property, legacy, endowment, bequest or gift for purposes of education or research or otherwise in furtherance of the work and welfare of the University, and to invest any funds representing the same.

22 To issue statements of equivalency to students holding qualifications who wish to establish their comparability to qualifications in a country other than that in which they were obtained.

23 To obtain membership in professional membership associations and professional, national and international licensing and accreditation from competent bodies where such actions are deemed to be in the interests of the University.

24 To do all such other acts and things whether incidental to the powers aforesaid or not as may be requisite in order to further the objects of the University.

25 The University may at any time amend, add to or repeal this Charter, and such amendment, addition or repeal shall have effect so that this Charter shall thenceforward continue and operate as though it had been originally granted and made as so amended, added to or repealed. This Article shall apply to this Charter as amended, added to or repealed in manner aforesaid.