By The Star Staff
Various sectors of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) on Thursday announced protests to denounce “political interference” in the selection process for the interim president of the institution.
The UPR governing board was slated to meet Thursday at press time to elect a new interim president. The names of former UPR President Miguel Muñoz and Walter Alomar, a former UPR governing board chairman, both of whom, the union said, are closely aligned with the governing New Progressive Party party, have been repeatedly mentioned in discussions over the past few days. Orestes Quesada is currently acting as interim president.
“Both candidates have a history of controversies and mistakes from their previous terms as president of the UPR and president of the Board of Governors, respectively,” Association of University Professors (APPU by its initials in Spanish) President María del Mar Rosa said in a written statement. “Their actions demonstrated a lack of participatory and effective governance, indicating a failure to commit to the best interests of the University.”
Concerns regarding the candidates’ past tenures include the loss of federal funds, questionable financial transactions, the elimination of tuition exemptions, and increases in the costs of credits and services. Students at UPR emphasize the need for decision-making to be in the hands of the university community.
“Decisions about the institution are the responsibility of the university community and are protected by current regulations that support participatory deliberation,” Higher Education Student Network of Puerto Rico (HEEND) President Carlos J. de León said. “We request that the rights of the university community to choose those they believe are best suited to lead the University be respected.”
The groups are also calling for attention to grievances expressed in various university forums over recent months.
“While it is true that Serial R-2425-17 was repealed, which had aimed to place 64 academic programs on moratorium, the Guide for the Moratorium on Academic Programs still needs to be revoked,” de León said. “Muñoz and Alomar have already betrayed the University by allowing economic interests to compromise the institution’s future.”
In light of recent developments, university sectors said they are determined to make their voices heard.
“The meetings of the Governing Board are public and broadcast online,” said Astrid Lugo, president of the General Council of Students, UPR-RP. “Therefore, we urge the entire university community to attend the meeting at 6 p.m. and show the Governing Board that the community is vigilant about its actions.”
“We will share the link on our social media to facilitate access, and there will be activities organized on each campus and by each sector in the coming days,” she added. “Multi-sector assemblies will continue, and further actions are still being considered.”
The representatives of the university community said they are awaiting upcoming events to decide on the next steps to take in UPR’s defense.
Edward Maldonado, the student representative from the UPR Río Piedras Campus, expressed confidence in Dr. Mayra Chárriez, the vice president for student affairs, being appointed as interim president.
“Yesterday, multiple student councils sent their letters of endorsement to Vice President Dr. Mayra Chárriez Cordero, because over the past two and a half years of working with her, we have found her to be diligent, representing the interests of both the student and university community,” he stated. “Above all, she does not have the historical baggage of the other candidates being considered by the Board of Governors, who have already demonstrated that they lack the characteristics we are seeking in an interim president at this time.”
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