University of Puerto Rico

From Free net encyclopedia

The University of Puerto Rico (UPR) is the university system of Puerto Rico. Though Puerto Rico is not a state, the system is run much like a state university system. It is also the largest university system on the island and consisting of 11 campuses.

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History

In 1900, at Fajardo, the "Escuela Normal Industrial" is established as the first higher education center in Puerto Rico. The following year it was moved to Rio Piedras. On March 12, 1903 a law was passed which oficially created the University of Puerto Rico. That same day the "Escuela Normal" was proclaimed as the first department of the University of Puerto Rico.

In 1908, the United States government extended financial aid to the University of Puerto Rico as part of the Morill Act thus making the university a land grant. From these new funds another campus, "El Colegio de Agricultura", was established in 1911 at Mayagüez. One year later its name was changed to "Colegio de Agricultura y Artes Mecánicas" (CAAM).

On September 20, 1966, then Governor Roberto Sánchez Vilella signed a law which reorganizes the University of Puerto Rico. The most important changes were the following:

It grants complete autonomy to the School of Medicine which becomes the Medical Sciences campus.
It grants complete autonomy to the Mayagüez and Río Piedras campuses. The former is renamed as "Recinto Universitario de Mayagüez" (RUM), a name it keeps to this day.
Three regional colleges are established at Arecibo, Cayey and Humacao.

In 1969 the regional college at Cayey becomes an official campus. It is granted complete autonomy in 1982.

In 1969 the regional college at Ponce is inaugurated.

In 1970 the regional college at Bayamón is inaugurated.

In 1972 the regional college at Aguadilla is inaugurated.

In 1973 the regional college at Carolina is inaugurated.

In 1978 the regional college at Utuado is inaugurated.

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