In a decisive vote, the Superior Council of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), the institution's highest governing body, overwhelmingly rejected a proposal submitted by representatives identified with Kirchnerism that sought to express political support for the corrupt former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and repudiate a Supreme Court ruling.
The proposal, mainly promoted by student groups aligned with La Cámpora, who are currently leading the violent and illegal occupations of the Faculties of Social Sciences, Philosophy and Letters, and the Ciudad Universitaria campus, called for an institutional statement against what they described as a "political and judicial persecution" of the former president. Additionally, the text denounced an alleged "ban" resulting from the highest court's ruling.
However, the proposal was categorically rejected by 22 of the 28 members of the Superior Council. Only six members voted in favor: the proponents of the text and three deans from faculties where Kirchnerism has a stronger presence, such as Exact Sciences, Social Sciences, and Philosophy and Letters.
Cristina Kirchner, expresidente de Argentina.
The majority of the body, made up of representatives from various faculties, rectoral authorities, faculty members, graduates, and students, chose to preserve the University's political neutrality. This decision was interpreted as a clear institutional signal from UBA not to endorse attempts to politicize its governing bodies.
The decisive vote caused mixed reactions within the academic community. While sectors opposed to Kirchnerism celebrated the defense of university autonomy and the rejection of the institution's political use, student groups aligned with La Cámpora expressed their discontent and confirmed the continuation of protest actions in the occupied faculties.
La UBA rechazó un proyecto para apoyar a Cristina Kirchner y repudiar a la Corte
This episode takes place in a context of high political sensitivity, where different groups are trying to dispute legitimacy in historically respected institutions such as UBA.
The Superior Council's decision, however, sets a clear limit to attempts to use the University as a platform for political support of specific figures and those convicted of corruption. This time, UBA chose to maintain its independence and avoid institutional statements with partisan content.
