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On Wednesday, Luis Ferrao Delgado, President of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), voiced his backing for the proposed Automatic Admission legislation, which would permit high school students ranking in the top 10% of their mandatory courses to be admitted to the university.
This bill is part of nearly 100 proposals presented this week by Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz. The goal of the initiative is to counteract the drop in enrollment, enhance access for exceptional students within the public education system, and strengthen UPR’s position as a premier institution for higher learning on the island, as stated in an announcement.
Ferrao highlighted the significant reduction in student enrollment at UPR over the past few years. Enrollment has dwindled from 60,000 in the 2016-2017 academic year to approximately 40,000 for the 2023-2024 term, marking a one-third decrease in the student body. He mentioned that this decline poses risks to both the university’s resources and its educational objectives.
The proposed legislation suggests automatic admission for students in the top 10% of their classes as a tactical approach to rejuvenate enrollment and guarantee that talented students, irrespective of their socioeconomic circumstances, have direct pathways to higher education at UPR.
Mayra B. Charriez, UPR’s vice president for student affairs, indicated that the legislation aligns with several principles specified in Certification 50 (2024-2025) of the UPR board regarding Admission Standards Policy for High School Students. This encompasses admission criteria for traditional pathways and seven categories under non-traditional paths: gifted or exceptional students, those from specialized institutions, participants in dual enrollment or university articulation programs, students from low-income or marginalized backgrounds, adult learners, senior citizens or retirees, students with disabilities or functional diversity, and first responders. Charriez stressed the importance of examining the bill’s implementation to ensure it supports the previously mentioned certification.
Ferrao reaffirmed that the certification signifies progress toward fostering inclusivity and ensuring a fair and effective process for both traditional and non-traditional admission strategies outlined in the Admission Policy and Standards for UPR students.
He pointed out that the Senate proposal has the potential to help reverse the drastic enrollment decline witnessed in recent years. Concurrently, he stated that it bolsters UPR’s status as the primary education provider for the top students from the public education sector.
Additionally, the legislation includes clauses for students in the top 25% of their classes, who could secure admission through an alternative evaluation, ensuring that the admissions framework remains inclusive and adaptable, thus providing more chances for academically gifted youth.
Ferrao highlighted that the legislation will be assessed based on its merits, but he anticipates it will significantly boost public confidence in UPR as a catalyst for social mobility and academic distinction.
