Council of Rectors speaks out on the crisis at the University of the Sea

The Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities deeply regrets the situation faced by the students of Universidad del Mar and their families. We are deeply concerned to see the students' dreams, aspirations, and sense of security shattered; they believed not only in a higher education program but also in the State and the system it endorsed. However, we appreciate the Ministry's efforts, albeit belated, to move forward administratively and provide a response to the students and their families.

This crisis has highlighted the shortcomings and opportunities presented by the oversight process that the State should be carrying out. The mechanisms, procedures, and policies related to the Higher Education System have failed to safeguard the interests of the most vulnerable students, leaving the regulation and control that the State should be guaranteeing in the hands of the market. For this very reason, the Council reiterates once again the need to create a Superintendency of Higher Education with full powers to oversee and sanction institutions that do not comply with the law.

As the Council of Rectors, we are prepared to contribute to the reformulation of policies and procedures aimed at improving the system and thus ensuring families access to higher education within a framework of quality appropriate to their personal and national interests. Furthermore, the Council members have expressed their willingness to evaluate and analyze specific responses to students who have or may approach them, always within the bounds of regulations and academic requirements, analyzing each situation on a case-by-case basis.

Furthermore, we call for a determined continuation of the judicial and administrative investigation process to clarify and sanction those responsible, but above all, to move towards an educational policy that allows respect for people and the country.