Thumbnail image via Consejo General de Estudantes.
On the evening of Wednesday, March 22, a record 3,329 UPRM students gathered at the Mangual Coliseum to attend the General Student’s Assembly to discuss the National Students Assembly, the proposed $450 million budget cuts to the UPR system, and the potential closure of many programs at UPRM, most of them in the Liberal Arts and Agriculture Sciences. However, the Assembly droned on for nearly two hours with discussions about transportation to the National Assembly on April 5 and few of the other items on the agenda were discussed and so exasperated UPRM students, who were also anxious about the WBC Final Game against USA at 9PM, left the assembly in droves. A little over 8:30PM a final quorum count was held and, since there were less than 1,600 students left, the assembly was adjourned.
Image via Consejo General de Estudiantes.
With the colored papers to vote still in my bag, I recounted the events that took place during the Student Assembly. The night called for heated pressure and intense expressions because it was also the Baseball Classic Finals, where our team played against USA. However, it seemed like time was gladly spent over the same technicalities and details of the National Assembly throughout the night, even though a motion was approved right at the beginning of this Assembly.
The National Assembly that will take place on April 5th in the Roberto Clemente Coliseum will hold the eleven UPR campuses with at least 10% of their students, or else that specific campus cannot vote. A motion was approved where UPRM was going to have double participation: some were going to be there physically and others, via livestream from Mangual Coliseum. Afterwards, another motion was approved where UPRM would request academic recess for April 5th. If the Chancellor didn’t answer or grant the recess by April 3rd, then we would perform a 24 to 48-hour strike as a last resource. Surprisingly, there were a lot of “in favor” votes even though the vast majority frowned upon Rio Píedras’ decision for a strike and huelga.
In regards to UPR’s accreditation from the Middle States Commission of Higher Education, some points were clarified. Loss of accreditation could occur if UPR had no fiscal stability or if an abnormal closing of the university, such as a strike, took place. In other words, if those million-dollar funds were cut or if UPR students closed the gates, the UPR ran the risk of losing said accreditation. This would mean having to re-apply for the accreditation, a process which could take two years, and UPR students would no longer receive federal funds like loans and Pell grants. However, it was explained that there have been exceptions. This said, students are being pushed into thinking outside the box because, evidently, the norm will not do the trick here.
Image via Pulso Estudiantil.
A motion for a space to dialogue the day after the National Assembly was voted on and approved. According to such, a state of academic emergency would take place, where the students could be on campus, but with a sort of recess, to discuss what happened on the assembly and decide what actions to take. The General Student Council would install the first reunion of the general support that day. It is intended that, during this space, professors will come by and talk with and to the students so that, as a group, wise decisions and actions can be taken.
By unanimous vote, it was stated that even if there is a strike, athletes and the band will be allowed on campus to practice for Justas.
Later on, in regards to the $450 million cut, a proposal by the University’s Board Committee and the Vice President of Academic Affairs was explained. In such, the UPR system would be reduced and divided into West and East, where UPRM would be the West and Rio Piedras, East. Further on, certain programs would be specified and could be possibly closed down. In UPRM, there are twelve programs already chosen for possible closing, among which most are from Agricultural Sciences.
At some point during the evening, an exchange student from the US who is studying Political Sciences at UPRM took the mic and spoke out, to thunderous applause from students in attendance. “I’m gringa but I am against PROMESA, the Fiscal Control Board and the repressive government of the United States. Nobody knows what is going on here and that’s why the government does whatever it wants with Puerto Rico. We have to speak out!” She proposed a campaign towards the media and communication areas. A sort of “attack” so that our situation can be completely exposed. Another motion was approved where a committee would be created in order to make a counter-proposal.
Marinda Hollar, the exchange student from the United States who spoke at the assembly. Image via YPV Photography.
The last two motions that were approved, before too many people left and affected the quorum, were in regards to future manifestations or marches. One stated that the next march was going to be held during the Fiscal Control Board’s next meeting. There was no specified date. Then, if there was going to be a manifestation, it would be in the Capitol Building, Fortaleza and on the main streets of the island. Both have the purpose to forcibly capture the public’s attention and to mobilize the entire university, and perhaps other people, not just students of UPR.