The University of Puerto Rico (UPR), and Puerto Rico as a whole, are currently going through some very strenuous times. A proposed $300 million budget cut is currently looming over the heads of everyone in the UPR, along with pay cuts and increased tuition. While some are very conscious of what is going on, public awareness is still an issue, as there are many citizens, students and non-students alike, who are still in the dark about what’s happening. For those who are unaware of everything that is currently happening, here are 5 articles that might help you get some insight as to what is going on with the UPR.

De frente a su realidad la UPR

This article, authored by Keila Lopez Alicea, briefly explains how the UPR is expected to use its budget, and presents Arnaldo Cruz’s, a public finance specialist, perspective on the UPR’s situation and the measures he thinks should be taken by the government and the UPR’s administrative body. Matrícula ajustada a los ingresos: una propuesta condicionada This article, posted to DialogoUPR by Jose Encarnación, goes into a bit more detail about the current plan to increase tuition in the UPR based on family income. It explains how families who earn very little would pay only 50% of the current credit price, while wealthier families could see prices increase to over 300%. The article even contains an easily understandable info-graphic depicting the different price ranges. Respuesta de profesores y profesoras ante el estado de situación de la universidad pública 80grados published an article where it puts forth a document authored by a group of professors from the UPR Recinto de Rio Piedras. Said document acknowledges the UPR’s faults and the need to make cuts to its budget. It calls upon other professors to endorse this document and their belief, but on the condition that the cuts made to its system prioritize the quality and accessibility of education to all of its current and future students over anything else. Crítica a la “Respuesta de profesores” de Sociología y otras unidades Jorge Colón Rivera recently published an article criticizing the previously mentioned document where a group of professors called for the endorsement of their document accepting the cuts that must be made to the UPR. Colón argues against specific points of the proposed cuts, and ultimately says it’s dangerous to endorse a document that just surrenders itself to the sizable budget cut instead of resisting the unjust cuts to the largest, and arguably the most successful, system of higher education in Puerto Rico. 11 beneficios que la UPR brinda a Puerto Rico Leonardo Flores, a professor at the UPR Recinto de Mayaguez, published a now viral article where he outlines 11 ways the UPR benefits Puerto Rico as a whole. In it, he mentions economic, social, and cultural growth, as well as advances in science and technology, and international renown. Formatted as an easily digestible listicle, Flores’ article is by far the most recommended article on this list.

Clearly, 5 articles are not enough. You’ll need more than that to fully grasp the subject at hand. This article is simply meant to help introduce you to what is a very complex issue, and hopefully it accomplishes its purpose.