The administration of the University of Puerto Rico, In the voice of the rectors of the enclosures of Río Pedres, Cayey and Mayagüez, believe that the proposed university reform, promoted by the Senate, must go through several amendments to match the fiscal reality of the institution.
The measure, listed as Senate Bill 172, was enacted by the senator José Vargas Vidot on February 4 and its content has been working for several years by a multisectoral committee composed of teaching and student representatives, among others.
In a virtual open table with different media, the university administration explained its claims about what they understand are components insofar as they have to go through changes given that, to give an example, it removes the power to make decisions. to president of the institution already rectors and transfers it to the University Board.
As a result of components like this, according to the rector of the University Campus of Mayagüez (RUM), Agustí Rullan Toro, The current administrative area would only ratify the strategic plans and budget of the UPR presented by the University Board.
“The project, as it has been presented … I can tell you that the philosophical basis from which it starts, are principles that are all very good. It talks about depoliticization, decentralization, autonomy, sound administration and many things that I think philosophically they are important principles “, expressed the mayagüezano rector during the virtual presentation.
“However, the detail to which the implementation of these philosophical principles leads, in the way it is posed, we believe will be very problematic for the University,” he added.
Given this, Rullan Toro understands that the legislation must go through “serious amendments” before the legislature approves it.
Some of the concerns raised by the university administration also include the transfer of executive powers to deliberative bodies, which they argued as a proposal that would add a bureaucratic layer to the use of the UPR.
“Decisions will require being in these bodies, going to the polls, possibly going to committees and we have a serious concern that this is going to paralyze the University. A University that is in itself extremely bureaucratic and we are going to add a serious layer of bureaucracy to move it and make decisions in a timely manner, ”he expressed.
Reform would affect accreditation
As the university reform is written, the biggest concern that retained the presentation lies in how the measure could affect the UPR accreditation process, he argued. Jenniffer Alicea Castillo, Associate Vice President of Accreditation and Appreciation.
The issue of accreditation was one that drew a lot of attention to the institution after it was in danger of losing it in early 2019 given that the UPR had not provided information required by the accrediting Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
However, in June this year, the UPR managed to retain it after handing over the documentation and several visits made by MSCHE representatives to the premises.
According to Alicea Castell, the Reform completely removes the compliance requirements, specifically under the UPR governance standard.
“This standard is very clear in how it establishes the obligations of the chief executive of any accredited institution and also establishes the functions and obligations of this governing body of the University. Every institution that wants to be accredited and remain so must continue on foot of the letter these standards. In this case, it directly affects the standard I mentioned, “the official explained.
“It is a very important issue that all this reform, amendments, whatever you want to present for the serious concerns that the university community has, is always seen under the lens of accreditation and is something that is missing from this project,” he added.
The presentation of the administration also had the participation of rector of the Pedres River, Luis A. Ferrao Delgado and the rector of the Cayey unit, Luis Tapia Maldonado.
It also alleges that to the extent there is no evidence that the university community or the MSCHE has been consulted.