The universities of Bologna and Salernitana were the earliest universities established in Western Europe in the Middle Ages. Before being recognized by the government, they were all organized by scholars and students themselves. Therefore, they maintain great independence from the secular regime and the church, and students play a greater role in the school. In Bologna University, because the students studying law are older and more independent, the president of the school is elected by teachers and students, and students may also serve as the president. A series of problems in the school, such as rules and regulations, the employment of teachers, the collection of tuition fees and the arrangement of teaching time, are all decided according to the opinions of students. Therefore, Bologna University is customarily called "student university".