Model will be evaluated by the University Council in November
The University Council (Consu), Unicamp's highest deliberative body, approved this Tuesday afternoon (30) the principle of ethnic-racial quotas for admission to the University's undergraduate courses from 2019. According to the decision, it will be A Working Group (GT) has been set up to discuss a proposal for the progressive implementation of quotas, complemented by additional criteria. The GT will be in charge of preparing a report in this regard, which will be widely debated in the teaching and research units and in specific collegiate bodies, before going to a final decision by the Consu, in November this year.
Consu's position was celebrated by social and student movements who gathered, during the vote, outside the building where the organ's room is located. Rector Marcelo Knobel classified the Council's position as “historic”, as it advances in relation to the affirmative actions already maintained by Unicamp, such as the Affirmative Action Program for Social Inclusion (Paais), created in 2004, and the Interdisciplinary Higher Education Program (ProFIS), established in 2011. “We took an important step with the approval of the principle of ethnic-racial quotas. Now, let's discuss in depth and calmly the model for implementing them. Our effort will be to ensure that society is represented at the University”, he stated.
For Knobel, the implementation of ethnic-racial quotas will meet a historical demand from social movements, a proposal that was already contained in its management program approved by the university community. “I think this is one of the ways to bring the University closer to society. We must seek to establish a transparent dialogue with society and, as far as possible, respond to their aspirations”, said the rector.
In addition to defining what model the quota system will have, the GT will also make suggestions on other issues related to the topic. One of them is the formulation of a student retention program that offers socioeconomic and academic support to students who present needs of this nature, such as the granting of grants for housing, transportation, food, as well as psychological, pedagogical and academic assistance.
Antoninho Perri and Antonio Scarpinetti record scenes from a historic day. see below
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Unicamp expands inclusion and debates implementation of ethnic-racial quotas