What are some of your achievements throughout your academic and/or professional career?
One of my greatest achievements so far has been taking part in the Córdova & Fernós Congressional Internship and having the wonderful experience of working with Sen. Gillibrand’s office (D-NY) in the U.S. Senate. I’m the current Representative for the Department of Economics at the Faculty of Arts & Sciences, position I have held for the past two years. I’m currently Arts Council (Concejal por Artes) at the College of Arts & Sciences Student Council (CEFAC). Since I started at our beloved Colegio I’ve always felt the interest to serve my fellow students and to fight in defense of this University. The UPR, and more specifically Colegio, is the cornerstone of Puerto Rico’s education system and the key to our economic development.
What are some of the qualities that help qualify you for the position you are running for?
It would be an honor to be able to use my experience, knowledge and negotiation skills to represent and defend the best interests of the student body. I believe that my, preparation in economics, experience as a current member of the student government, good relationship with the claustro (professors) and an unyielding compromise to defend our University are what qualify me as the best candidate for this position.
If elected, what are some of your goals?
I have divided my proposals in three areas: academic affairs, infrastructure and student participation.
Regarding academic affairs my main goal is to change Certification 69, which establishes the rules regarding double bachelor’s degrees and minors in order to make it more flexible and accessible for our students to achieve their academic goals. I will also work to promote the expansion of our university’s online academic offering, the creation of a Colegio App, the creation of an Arts & Sciences COOP Program with and expansion for Arts & Social Sciences oriented internships. In terms of infrastructure my main focus will be improvements to our parking space mainly finishing the traffic and parking lines in Area Blanca, leveling the pavement to prevent flooding and laying out pavement for the whole Biology building parking space. It will also be a priority to create a report regarding the use of technology and infrastructure fees in our campus.
What’s your take on the budget crisis?
The UPR is facing a crisis that endangers its existence and the fulfillment of its social mission. The UPR is the reason generations of Puerto Ricans could lift themselves out of poverty and into success. The University of Puerto Rico is our country’s motor for economic development and the provider of the great equalizer that is knowledge and the opportunity to study. I am a third generation Tarzán and I will defend this for our generations to come. It is undeniable that our country is mired in an unsustainable debt brought on by decades of corruption, bad policy and irresponsible behavior from our leaders and our electors. We are faced with troubling times where sacrifices will be made, yet if we are to survive this darkness the UPR must be spared.
It is true that our University is in need of reform and improvement, but that reform must come from within and not from political mandates. Last, but certainly not least, we must come to terms with the fact that we must restructure our island’s economy and government, as a student of economics I have seen the long term impacts of our decisions and the current economic depression. The sword of austerity is present at the table and its use will only worsen our economic situation. Nevertheless if austerity is going to be implemented, all of Puerto Rico’s debt instrumentalities must be audited and a reduction in debt principal must be sought. This is our situation and our people must unite to confront these problems and the dictatorial Junta; the students will lead the way.
How do you want to be remembered?
I would like to be remembered as someone that lived through this crisis and refused to stay on the sidelines and instead chose to engage in defense of our University.