Bolsonaro's team will articulate the choice of Rectors at Universities

Deans of federal public universities released an official note in which they ask the government to choose as directors of the higher education institutions those indicated in the first position by the electoral board in the triple lists drawn up by the institutions. By 2023, federal universities will undergo changes in rectors.

“It is essential, therefore, to publicly affirm the importance of leading autonomous professors to the position of dean or dean. nominated in the first place by the electoral college of their respective universities, thus guaranteeing a defining element of the democracy, which is respect for the will of the majority", says a note from the National Association of Directors of Federal Education Institutions Superior (Andifes).

By law, the rector and vice-rector of federal universities are appointed by the President of the Republic, chosen from among those appointed in triple lists drawn up by the highest collegiate of the institution, or by another collegiate that includes it, established specifically for this end.

Criteria

The collegiate bodies, in turn, are made up of professors, who represent 70% of the group. The remaining 30% can be completed by employees and students of the institution.

“Within the framework of current legislation, the sending of a list by the institution must be respected. However, we cannot fail to defend the nomination of who had the most votes in the electoral college. The nomination of the first place must, therefore, be respected, on the one hand, as a value of democracy and, on the other, in respect for the autonomy of each institution”, informs the statement.

For Andifes, not adopting the criterion of choosing the one appointed first in the triple list could threaten the administrative quality and displease the scientific society. The rectors' precept is that issues of political ideology be considered as a criterion for excluding names appointed by the university community.

“At the university, we strive for freedom of expression and thought. All voices are considered at the university. There is no ideological bias. There is no pressure or repression of any manifestation of thought”, he told the Agency. Brazil, the acting president of Andifes, rector of the Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Edward Madureira.

Other side

The Ministry of Education (MEC) informed Agência Brasil that it understands that Law 5.540/1968 “is absolutely clear in the sense to establish a list with three names, previously qualified, to be submitted to the decision of the President of the Republic. The hypothetical situation of summarily choosing the first place directly contradicts the principle established by law, that there is a list with three names for the selection process”.

In the country, there are currently 63 federal universities that serve more than 1.3 million students, according to data from the last Higher Education Census.