Unicamp students and teachers decided on Thursday, the 11th, to end the strike that had already lasted 25 days. The teachers approved a new salary adjustment proposal of 3.92%, defined in a meeting on Wednesday, the 10th, between the Council of Rectors of São Paulo State Universities (Cruesp) and the Fórum dos Seis, an entity that brings together the unions that represent students, employees and professors at universities in São Paulo.
The students’ movement considered that most of their demands had been met and decided to end the mobilization. The decision will still need to be ratified in local course assemblies. The expectation is that, after this, the General Administration Directorate (DGA) building will be vacated.
The strike began on May 18. On the night of June 8, students occupied the DGA building. Among the students’ demands were issues such as:
- Construction of student housing on the Limeira campus;
- Improvements in university restaurants and internal transport;
- Strengthening policies to combat sexual and ethnic-racial violence and psychological support.
- Students also complain about a lack of teachers and a shortage of technical staff.
The rector of Unicamp, Paulo Cesar Montagner, stated that the demonstration was legitimate and natural in university environments, although he highlighted that he would not always be able to meet all demands due to budget restrictions.
“We are experiencing a time of frustration in terms of revenue, which means that universities are going through a period of difficulty – especially Unesp and Unicamp, which have a different financial situation than USP”, explained Montagner.
The executive director of Sustainability at Unicamp and representative of the rectory on the negotiation committee, Roberto Donato, stated that the negotiations led to “significant advances” in the agendas presented.
According to Donato, Unicamp’s rectory managed to come up with a housing policy for the Limeira campus and there were indications for improving the policy for distributing student residence grants. Specific agendas relating to different units at Unicamp will continue to be discussed with students on a specific basis.
In the case of the Institute of Arts (IA), for example, one of the main issues, the reconstruction of Paviartes (a shed where dance and theater courses have been operating on a “temporary” basis since 1985) is already underway, according to the executive director. The renovation work on the space is scheduled to begin on June 20th.
In a video posted on social media, representatives of the Central Student Directory (DCE) celebrated what they see as the movement’s achievements.
