University of The Cloister of Sor Juana - The Educational Institution

The Educational Institution

The Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana was founded here in 1979, offering its first bachelors in “Human Sciences” (Ciencias Humanas) . Today, the institution offers eight in Art, Audiovisual Communication, Study and Promotion of Culture, Philosophy, Gastronomy, Humanities, Iberoamerican Letters, and Psychology. It offers masters degrees in Mexico Colonial Culture and Food and Beverage Business Administration and certificates in Food and Beverage Business Administration and Theatrical Production. Approximately 75 to 80% of graduates find work in the fields they study. The most successful of these programs is gastronomy The life and work of Sor Juana forms the intellectual basis and the identity of the institution. The building’s interior has been remodeled as a mix of colonial and modern constructions, with conservation efforts being continuous. The campus expanded in 2003, with the addition of nearby Regina campus, which was part of the colonial convent of the nuns of Regina Coeli. This campus contains Neoclassical constructions done by Manuel Tolsá for the Marquesa of Selva Nevada.

The library of the institution contains the Centro de Documentación Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, which aims to become the most important repository of writings about the nun and her life. Many of the works here are from the beginning of the 20th century. The Center contains both books and periodicals about both the woman and her writings. The general library collection contains a large number of first editions, most of which were donated.

In 2007, the Pier Paolo Pasolina Peace Center was inaugurated which “intends to reunite the individual memory with the collective one to find paths to peace.”

Many spaces in the complex are suited to showcase exhibitions of art and culture. The University houses the Museo de la Indumentaria Mexicana "Luis Márquez Romay" (The Luis Márquez Romay Museum of Mexican Attire) . It displays an important collection of traditional Mexican attires, many of which were donated by Carmen Romano, who was First Lady of Mexico from 1976 to 1982. The Museum also hosts temporary exhibits such as the art exhibit “Ocho conjuros para sanar el alma” (Eight spells to heal the soul) as part of the 25th annual Festival de Mexico in the historic center of Mexico City. In 2007, there was an exhibition called “Monjas coronadas” (Crowned Nuns) which displayed artifacts related to the ritual of “marrying God” when nuns take their vows. It included the crowns which were placed on the nun’s head, some quite large, during the colonial period. Concerts and art exhibits are showcased in the Former Church of San Jerónimo as well. One of these exhibits was that of a large touring sculpture called “Traición” (Betrayal) . The school also has a collection of musical instruments including four antique pianos, donated and currently used for concerts.

San Jeronimo Street, which runs in front of the main facade, is pedestrian only and is now considered to be a plaza. It is being remodeled to house a “cultural corridor” as part of the university’s outreach program to the community that will extend to the College of Vizcainas. The school as a number of other outreach programs, such as literacy education to the estimated 10,000 people in the city center who cannot read or write at a sufficient level. There are also free psychological counseling programs for domestic violence and drug addiction as well. The university says these actions are part of its efforts to support the revitalization of the historic center

According to a survey called “Las Mejores Universidades 2009” (The Best Universities 2009) sponsored by the newspaper Reforma, students at Sor Juana are the largest and pickiest coffee drinkers in Mexico City. One reason for this is that the campus, located in the historic center, is surrounded by a number of gourmet cafes, which attract customers by offering cultural events such as films and poetry readings.

Each year University students construct a monumental “ofrenda” or altar to the dead for Day of the Dead festivities in late October and early November. It is created with the collaboration of ex-students, teachers, artists and neighbors in the historic center of Mexico City. In 2007, the theme of the altar was “Sor Juana and time.” It included an hourglass in the center and two thousand meters of cempasúchil garlands. A secondary alter in the Zapotec style was erected in honor of Frida Kahlo. Each year, the monumental altar receives more visits by the public and more neighbors are willing to participate according to the school’s dean. This tradition has been annually recreated for over two decades. The Chorus of the Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana has performed under guest directors such as Rita Guerrero. The chorus specializes in works that are no longer frequently performed, such as the Libre Vermell de Montserrat and El Canto de la Siliba. It is made up of students from various majors and was formed in 2005.

A number of the university’s activities are held in partnership with other academic and cultural institutions. The university has a partnership program with UNAM for activities related to teaching, research, community outreach and culture, especially with regards to technical and technological issues. It will allow students of both institutions to attended classes in both places and the two will sponsor a number of joint academic events.

Along with the Fundación del Centro Histórico (Historic Center Foundation), the University has published a guide to restaurants, taco stands, cantinas and other eateries located in the oldest neighborhoods of Mexico City. The guide is called “Guia para Comer Bien en el Centro Historico” (Guide to Eating Well in the Historic Center).

The school is involved with the organization with sponsors the annual “Festival de México” in the historic center to hold conferences and a contest related to the history of cooking in Mexico called Concursos Historias y Sabores de México and Menú de Bicentenario. The objective is to recognize and conserves Mexican gastronomic traditions through research in preparation of the Bicentennial of Mexico’s independence in 2010. Participants not only must prepare a representative dish, but also document the dish’s history and significance. Another aspect of this event is to work with restaurants in the historic center to prepare special menus for the 2010 Festival de México. The festival ticket would include one dinner from one of these menus

Outside of Mexico City, the university organized a “poetry slam” event as part of the 23rd Feria Internacional de Libro in Guadalajara in 2009. The participants performed original works which were then rated by a panel of poets and rappers. The event was titled “A ritmo de poesía” (To the beat of poetry). The reason the school sponsored the event was to show that poetry is available to all. Coordinates: 19°25′36.96″N 99°8′12.11″W / 19.4269333°N 99.1366972°W / 19.4269333; -99.1366972