Here’s what you might have missed during this hectic week:
Survivors of sexual harassment share their stories online
Last week, after many minors spoke about their experiences of online and physical sexual harassment by the owners Yatea PR and Pauwii Swimwear, many college students shared their experiences at their universities.
Dozens of college students from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus (UPRM) reported sexual harassment coming from professors, students, fraternity members, and nearby businesses to UPRM.
Meanwhile, another group of students from the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), Río Piedras Campus reported the predatory behavior of a psychologist from the Department of Counseling for Student Development (DCODE in Spanish) and two professors from the College of Social Sciences.
If you know someone who is a survivor of sexual harassment or who chooses to share their story with you, here’s a guide on how to offer support.
UPRP students claim an Economy professor is unfit to teach
A group of students at the UPR, Ponce Campus reported to institution’s administration that their Industrial Economy professor was being negligent with the students during the online semester.
Majority of UPR campuses approve Pass/No Pass measure
Seven out of 11 UPR campuses approved the Pass/Fail or Pass/No Pass grading system for the current semester so that the student body’s academic achievement and GPA isn’t affected due to the pandemic.
The UPR in Arecibo and the UPR in Utuado were the only two campuses that didn’t approve the measure. The remaining campuses haven’t approved or denied the measure at an institutional level yet.
Efforts to help during the pandemic
Ayuda Legal PR launched the campaign Rights During the Pandemic with a group of students from UPR in Rio Piedras’ School of Communication and created an information line to offer legal support to the community of immigrants in Puerto Rico.
The goal of the campaign is to orient immigrants about their rights to medical services during the COVID-19 crisis. The telephone line to get help is (787) 957-3106.
On another note, the musical duo Klaro de Luna released their song «Alas de Abril» to raise awareness about the increase of gender-based violence during the period of social distancing measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Puerto Rico.
The song also seeks to spread Proyecto Matria’s line for people who have suffered gender-based violence or domestic violence. The line is open 24/7: (787)-489-0022
UPR Arecibo students nominated for an Emmy
A group of students from the UPR, Arecibo Campus were nominated for the third time for an Emmy awarded by the College National Academy of Television Arts & Science (NATAS) Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards 2020.
Salary cuts in UAGM
The administration of the Ana G. Méndez University (UAGM in Spanish) won’t be offering courses during Fridays to shorten the remaining work period starting in May, which implies that the salaries of full-time employees at the institution will have part of their salaries cut as well.
Confusion over PUCPR’s tuition refunds
Last week, a letter published by the vice president of the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (PUCPR) caused confusion among the media.
It was originally reported that the institution would reimburse 50% of the student’s tuition, when in reality only laboratory, housing, parking and printing fees would be given back to the students, as corrected in a written communication by the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico’s president, Manuel Fernós.
Lifestyle complications during COVID-19 crisis.
For the people who still have to study and work during the quarantine, the daily routine turns into both a physical and mental health risk.
Yet, there are many other vulnerable communities in Puerto Rico during the pandemic that could potentially have mental health risks.
Puerto Ricans protest on May 1st despite social distancing measures
Several organizations coordinated both physical and virtual protests on International Workers’ Day to demand the defense of essential workers’ rights during the pandemic, among other important social issues.
Hundreds of Puerto Ricans protested in their cars, with cacerolazos, through social media, with short physical demonstrations, and during online conferences during last May 1st while maintaining social distancing measures.
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