What’s Happening at the University of Puerto Rico?
Currently in the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), the majority of the students and even some of the teachers are teaming up to protest. But what are they protesting, you may ask? The government of the island has decided to cut $300 – $400 million of funding from the public university due to the current economical state of Puerto Rico is experiencing. The decision was made by the “Junta De Control Fiscal” (Financial Oversight and Management Board of Puerto Rico) in order to better the economy in Puerto Rico.
Students oppose this because they feel as if the government is not concerned about the youth’s education, and do not realize how important it is, especially for future generations. Cutting funds may, and probably will, make tuition more expensive and result in faculty members being let go.
At the beginning of the year, students from every campus of the UPR marched in the capitol to refuse these cuts. Every day, these protests became bigger and more prominent. The Assembly of one of the UPR campuses (Río Piedras) agreed to stop classes for about a week (many students marched throughout the campus these days), and proposed a date for another protest on the campus. The other campuses hosted other types of protests, like soccer teams holding signs saying “11 Recintos = 1 UPR” which means “11 campuses = 1 University of Puerto Rico”.
This issue has become so viral in Puerto Rico, that they fostered a “challenge” video. It consisted of students recording a video and saying what the UPR means to you; tagging #RetoUPR and #NoTeLaDejesMontar and challenging two others to do the same. Not only have students decided to do these videos, but also people like Luis Joel Castro, a Puerto Rican Olympic athlete filmed his own video and posted it on Twitter supporting the university and opposing funds cut. Puerto Ricans who left the island to study elsewhere are also showing their support and compassion to their fellow Puerto Rican companions back on the island. Even the famous Puerto Rican rapper, Residente (René Pérez Joglar), said he supports the peaceful protests the students have been undergoing, and that he wants more Puerto Rican celebrities to talk about these issues.
Many fear that, due to these cuts and protests, the public university of the island will deteriorate. These students who are fearing this political action are willing to fight and give their all in order to maintain this top university, and securing the education for not only their education, but for the future generations as well.