Canon 642

1. A Catholic university is an institute of higher studies

which is erected as such or is approved either by the higher administrative authority of a Church sui iuris after previous consultation of the Apostolic See or by the Apostolic See itself;

such erection or approval must be by public document. 2. Within the territorial boundaries of a patriarchal Church this higher

authority is the patriarch with the consent of the synod of

bishops of the patriarchal Church.