University of Puerto Rico

A few weeks ago, I attended the commencement ceremony of the University of Puerto Rico’s Río Piedras campus. One figure was omnipresent throughout the ceremony: the federally appointed Fiscal Control Board, whose enabling federal law, PROMESA, recently marked its 10th anniversary.

Studies show that reading proficiently by the end of third grade is linked to students’ future academic success.

More than 10 months after an agreement expired, the UPR Molecular Center is at risk of halting infrastructure improvements and essential purchases tied to the research of 42 scientists and 225 students.

The university has not updated its fiscal plan since 2021. After missing this year’s March 24 deadline, it received an extension from the FOMB, but the May 1 final approval date remains unchanged.

The U.S. Department of Education’s demands under the Trump administration — struck down a month ago by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire — led to the elimination of an inclusion committee and the suspension of a census of Afro-descendant students at the University of Puerto Rico.

As Homeland Security Investigations in Puerto Rico does not rule out immigration enforcement operations at universities, professors, students and staff still do not know how to respond if agents intervene on campus.

Amid face-offs, grimaces, accusations of censorship, a push to remove the university’s president, and a maze of parliamentary maneuvering and procedural technicalities, the latest meeting of the University of Puerto Rico system’s Governing Board failed to meet its responsibilities. It did not carry out, with seriousness, respect and responsibility, the public role entrusted to it.

In addition to eliminating inclusive restrooms at the Río Piedras campus, the university system voided guarantees of access and nondiscrimination for transgender students and revised its Chosen Name Protocol, because of Trump administration measures targeting diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

In 2006, 59% of first-year students admitted to the University of Puerto Rico came from the public school system. However, by August 2025, this figure dropped to 47%. While students from public schools continue to show interest in the UPR, the combination of poverty and structural inequality affects their preparation to meet admission standards.

Nearly a month into her tenure, UPR President Zayira Jordán-Conde has yet to meet with the Governor, even as she emphasizes the need for “creativity” in securing funding amid deep budget cuts imposed by the Oversight Board and restrictions from the federal government.

Zayira Jordán Conde was elected president of the University of Puerto Rico last Saturday, without the backing of the academic senates, in a politicized and non-transparent process. Why was the candidate with the most weaknesses chosen against the will of the university community?

Federal measures have stalled the limited progress in diversity policies at Puerto Rico’s public university by halting a census of Afro-descendants and eliminating inclusive bathrooms under the threat of funding cuts. More than 25 members of the university community warn that these policies will worsen the marginalization of historically excluded sectors.

The proposal by the U.S. president would impact 67% of the research funded by the National Institutes of Health in Puerto Rico's public university system.

A study among campus students revealed that 62% of them subsist on $500 monthly amid rising food and transportation costs and a shortage of affordable housing near the university.

Outgoing President Luis Ferrao acknowledged that the proposal sought to access part of the $102 million that the Fiscal Control Board has reserved for 2025, but the Board denied specifically having requested a program moratorium as a condition for ensuring financial sustainability.

More than 40 years ago, Alejandro Benítez began training athletes as a routine after teaching in a classroom from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. At 74 years old, and already retired from teaching, he is still a hammer and discus throw coach.