UPR: Horizon to Success

CUA-UPR Concept

Background of success

The model of research and action used by the Collective for the University Access of the University of Puerto Rico (CUA-UPR) is inspired by the Center founded on Mayaguez Campus in 2007 (CUA-RUM). In its first year, the CUA-RUM inquired the patterns of admission of the young people in public housing for the past years (1990-2006) and discovered that the population was just 0.3 % of those admitted in that period. Therefore, it was its task to develop research initiatives and outreach to remedy the problem of access of impoverished communities to the only public university in the country.

In 2008 the CUA-RUM obtained the financial support for five (5) years of Francisco Carvajal Foundation, with the proposal Knowledge Democratization (2008-2013). During this period were sponsored annually 120 students from 7th to 12th grade. The design of the outreach model is based on the findings of the research pursued: strengthen academic aspirations, providing guidance on academic offerings and university application process, and strengthen the academic performance of the participants in critical matters (English, Math, and Spanish) and in the preparation for the College Board, which is an admission requirement for the UPR. Due to the successful outcomes of the project during its first five years, the Francisco Carvajal Foundation renewed its commitment for another five years (2013-2018), and requested to the UPR that develop the same initiative in other units of the system. During the academic year 2014-15 was launched the first phase of development (institutional research and conceptualization) in five additional units of the UPR system: Bayamon, Carolina, Cayey, Humacao and Río Piedras.

After seven years of the project initiative in Mayagüez, the CUA-RUM has contributed to ninety (90) students finish their high school degree. Of these, 84 students requested post-secondary studies (63 to universities and 21 to institute). Of those who requested the university, 56% was admitted to the UPR. It is important to note that the overall admission rates of students of public schools of Puerto Rico for the 2014-15 were 51%, by which the pattern of admissions of the population of the CUA assumes even greater importance. Similarly, the participants of the project of all the degrees have a school retention rate of almost 100 %.

Moreover, it should be noted that the UPR has exceeded the annual contribution required by the Foundation Francisco Carvajal, thus demonstrating the interest and institutional commitment to this initiative. In addition, the CUA-RUM has been co-sponsored by the College Access Challenge Grant initiative also chair by the UPR at the central level and sponsored by the Federal Department of Education. Finally, the CUA-RUM has received donations from the Banco Popular Foundation and private donations that show the relevance of the project.

The CUA at UPR systemic level, has managed to complete 80% of the institutional research and has laid the groundwork for the development of the project within the 100% of the units. The five units have developed pilot activities and have made a real impact in more than 300 students during its first year. They have also identified institutional areas that need to be revised for the UPR to improve the service to impoverished communities of the country, and to contribute to their access to university life. During the first semester 2015-16 is expected to be completed the institutional research and start the design of the community research. Also, new outreach activities will be developed and evaluated, to make institutional recommendations and additional action plans for the academic year 2016-17.

Profiles and Campus Outreach Initiatives

The six units that are conforming the CUA-UPR are going to develop research and community outreach activities from 2016-17. CUA-RUM, given the fact that it has a large population admitted to the UPR, will conduct research on retention, persistence, and graduation at the university level also. The same will happen at UPR-Cayey and UPR-Humacao with their respective population.

Campus Profiles

UPR-Bayamón (Dra. Claritza Castro, Campus Coordinator and Co-PI)

Institutional and Community Research Target Population: Underrepresented Schools in the vicinity and Comerío General Components (Assignment Assistance, tutoring and Mentoring) for

Elementary, Junior and High Schoolo Elementary: 100 studentso Junior: 100 studentso High: 200 students

Summer Camp (Junior and High School): 80 students

UPR-Carolina (Sra. Ivelise Casado, Campus Coordinator and Elisa Figueroa, Co-coordinator)

Target Population: Public Housing Residents General Components (Assignment Assistance and Mentoring) for Junior and High

Schoolo Junior: 12 studentso High: 19 students

Summer Camp (Junior School: 30 students)

UPR-Cayey (Dra. Isar Godreau, PI and Prof. Verónica Castro, Outreach Coordinator)

Institutional and Community Research

Target Population: Public Housing Residents General Components for Junior and High School

o Junior: 105 studentso High: 60 students

University Students: Academic Support and Mentoring: 40 students Summer Camp (Junior School: 40 students) Reading, Coir and Sowing, and Literary Contest Club (Junior Students)

UPR-Humaco (Dra. Ivelisse Rivera Bonilla, Campus Coordinator and Co-PI)

Institutional and Community Research Target Population: Vieques and Culebra Students

o Junior (Vieques): 40 students o High (Vieques & Culebra): 79 students

University Students: Academic Support and Mentoring (56 students, Governing Board Policy #50)

Summer Camp (Junior: 40 students)

UPR-Mayagüez (Dra. Bernadette Delgado, Campus Coordinator and Co-PI)

Institutional and Community Research Target Population: Public Housing and Very-Poor Communities in Mayagüez General Components for Junior and High School

o Junior: 72 studentso High: 41 students

Math, Science, and Writing Clubs for Elementary Students: 60 students University Students: Academic Support and Mentoring

UPR-Río Piedras (Dra. Mercedes Rivera, Campus Coordinator and James Seale Collazo Co-PI)

Institutional and Community Research Target Population: Very poor communities and Public Housing General Components for Junior and High School

o Elementary: 15 studentso Junior: 10o High: 27o Other: 8 students

Summer Camp (Junior and High School: 40 students) University Students: Academic Support and Mentoring (Governing Board Policy

#50)