Brazilian Student Unions: The case of the Catholic University of Pernambuco (UNICAP)
Historically, Student Unions have held an important place in promoting social change in Brazil. The National Students Union (UNE – União Nacional dos Estudantes) was founded in 1937 and was active at most of the significant historical events which took place in Brazil over the past century.
During the 40 years of military dictatorship, students stood up, at their own peril, to fight against the regime, and often were severely punished. Headquarters of Student Unions around the country were sacked and closed down during that period. Students involved with this activity fought not only for their own interests, but also for society’s sake. In addition, they played a key role in the re-democratization process.
UNE still exists today and maintains amicable relationship with most Student Unions, who still recognize its legitimacy. However, UNE has lost most of its political importance and expressiveness, and Student Unions act relatively independently throughout the country.
The students of the Catholic University of Pernambuco (UNICAP) are represented by the Diretório Central dos Estudantes (DCE), ie. Students Central Directory, which is the representative entity responsible for all students, and Faculty based Academic Directories or Centers (DA or CA). These two organs are relatively independent, and DAs or CAs do not need the consent of DCE to act on behalf of the students before university authority figures. D.A.s are therefore institutions which represent the students of a certain degree inside a specific university.
The Law degree at the Catholic University of Pernambuco is represented by Diretório Acadêmico Fernando Santa Cruz, ie. Academic Directory Fernando Santa Cruz (DAFESC). It was founded in 1979. It was named Fernando Santa Cruz as homage to a student who was persecuted during the dictatorship for being politically active as a student. It represents around 3000 students who attend the law course at UNICAP.
Some of the main aims are to fight for high quality of education and for a society which is conscious of its historical role. In order for these objectives to be reached, it needs constant interaction and support from other sectors involved with social fights. Other objectives are: to represent students; to promote integration between students and the university as a whole; to stimulate activities of scientific, cultural, technical, political and social order; to meet with entities which have similar goals; to promote events and activities and inform students of activities promoted.
In order to ensure the quality of education, DAFESC wants to motivate the development of humanistic values. It works to guarantee that students gain not only theoretical, but also practical knowledge, stimulating them to analyze reality and law critically. This is achieved by promoting activities outside of the formal context of lectures. It organizes debates, workshop, seminars and round tables which try to ensure that students develop values such as respect and solidarity.
It also tries to achieve its aims through direct action, in order to try to change reality as it is today. One example is the project “Dynamic Education”, through which it helps building public libraries. Besides, it provides judicial assistance and promotes discussions in poor communities.
This direct action is also of political order. It seeks to bring discussion about current social struggles to the university. As mentioned before, the Student Unions should be solidary to those suffering injustice and exploitation, and that is what DAFESC tries to demonstrate through action.
On the subject of its formal structure, all enrolled students have a right to vote and be voted for placements, to participate in meetings and General Assemblies, and to directly request that DAFESC promotes specific activities, as long as it is within the scope of this organ. They may also intervene when rights granted by the official Statute are denied to them.
Formally, it is composed of three organs: the General Assembly, the Student Representatives Council and the Executive Board.
The General Assembly is the highest deliberation organ of the D.A., and is composed by every student. In order for decisions to be valid, at least 10 % of the associated need to be present. Its role is to discuss and deliberate over issues related with the Law Faculty; reform the Statute, when necessary, and suspend the mandate of any member of D.A.
The Student Representatives Council also constitutes DAFESC. It is composed of one elected representative from each class of the Law degree, and should be composed of at least 12 members. It is a deliberating organ and has as one of its roles supervising the D.A., without undermining the superior power and attributions of the General Assembly. It is also responsible for participating in the Executive Board meetings and questioning them if, by actions of any of their members, they harm the interests of students. In more general terms, they should also help the D.A. fulfill its roles.
The Executive Board, on its turn, is elected through direct elections. It is composed by President, Vice-president, Secretary-General, Treasurer and more specific boards, including Freshers, Juridical, Press, Academic, Cultural, Sports, Politics, Informatics, Administration and Research Board. Each board is headed by a director. These should help the D.A. reach out to students wants and needs. Some boards are responsible for specific events, as for example, Sports Tournament. The D.A. is not only responsible for academic issues, but should also promote integration and represent different kinds of interests, and that is why the boards are so diverse and should deal with different aspects of student well-being.
It is a fact that Student Unions, especially the National Students Union, have lost its former strength, mainly as today there is a gap between students’ reality and the political nature of Student Unions, which are often linked with political parties. That means they become a vehicle for propaganda.
Despite living in a period of generalized political indifference, Diretório Acadêmico Fernando Santa Cruz is still relatively relevant and present in the daily life of students. Its tradition and credibility mean it is in a position to be in constant dialogue with administrative representatives of the University, who hear students´ claims. It is politically neutral, and refuses financial support from the Catholic University of Pernambuco or political parties, in order to be able to maintain its neutrality. Funding comes from events and from the fees charged for providing services, for instance, student identity cards. The current administration, M.U.D.A, which has existed for nine years, is working to make sure the aims and expectations are fulfilled and its neutrality is safeguarded.