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ADMINISTRATION:

HISTORICAL SKETCH

The University of Puerto Rico was created by an act of the Legislative Assembly on March 12, 1903 emerging as an outgrowth of the Normal School, which had been established three years earlier to train teachers for the Puerto Rican school system. In 1908, the benefits of the Morill-Nelson declared applicable to the island, fostered the rapid growth of the University. Eloquent evidence of that growth was the establishment of the College of Liberal Arts at Río Piedras in 1910 and the College of Agriculture at Mayagüez in 1911.

It was in the College of Agriculture where the Mayagüez Campus as we know it today had its origin. Credit for the establishment of the College is given to the joint effort of D. W. May (Director of the Federal Experiment Station), José de Diego, and Carmelo Alemar. A year later, the school received the name that it bore for 50 years: the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. The strengthening and diversification of the academic programs at Mayagüez were recognized years later when, in 1942, as a result of university reform, the campus was organized with a considerable degree of autonomy into the Colleges of Agriculture, Engineering, and Science under the direction of a vice-chancellor. The expansion continued through the 1950s when many programs flourished in the University. The College of Arts and Sciences and the Nuclear Center were established in Mayagüez. The Colleges of Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Business Administration emerged in Río Piedras. The Schools of Medicine, Odontology, and Tropical Medicine were established in San Juan.

In 1966, the Legislative Assembly reorganized the University of Puerto Rico as a system of autonomous campuses, each under the direction of a chancellor. The College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts became the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus.

Today, the Mayagüez Campus of the University of Puerto Rico continues its development in the best tradition of a Land Grant institution. It is a co-educational, bilingual, and non-sectarian school comprising the Colleges of Agricultural Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Engineering, and the Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies.

The College of Agricultural Sciences includes the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Agricultural Extension Service. At present, the campus population is composed of 12,108 students, 1,924 regular staff members and 1,037 members of the educational staff.

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ACCREDITATION AND AFFILIATION

The Mayagüez Campus of the University of Puerto Rico is fully accredited by the Council of Higher Education of Puerto Rico. It holds membership in the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1946. Our academic programs are accredited by professional entities such as The American Chemical Society, The National League of Nursing, and Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

The Mayagüez Campus of the University of Puerto Rico is a member of Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) since 1966. ORAU is a private, non-profit consortium of 65 colleges and universities that acts as management and operating contractor for the US Department of Energy (DOE).

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MISSION

Within the philosophical framework established by the University of Puerto Rico Act, the Mayagüez campus directs its efforts towards the development of educated, cultured citizens, capable of critical thinking, and professionally qualified in the fields of agricultural, social and natural sciences, engineering, humanities and business administration. They should be able to contribute in an efficient manner to the cultural, social, and economic development of the Puerto Rican and international communities. This process is aimed at endowing our alumni with a strong technical and professional background and instill a strong commitment to Puerto Rico and our hemisphere. Our alumni should have the necessary skills and knowledge to participate effectively in the search of solutions to the problems facing us, to promote the enrichment of the arts and culture, the development and transfer of technology as well to uphold the essential attitudes and values of a democratic society.

In order to achieve these long-range goals mentioned above, Mayagüez Campus strives to:
  • Direct its efforts and initiatives equally in three fundamental areas: instruction, research, and services to the community.

  • Define the priorities and academic approaches of each college in such a way that they will provide opportunities to meet the needs of regular and continuing education.

  • Direct the activities and initiatives of both the academic and research components of the Campus in such a way that they will not only share a common perspective but also constitute parts of the same effort and purpose.

  • Provide a university education that will equip its graduates for fulfilling professional career and leadership training that will contribute to the enrichment of their spiritual and personal lives.

  • Assist students in their understanding of the changing social issues and economic problems and issues of our time.

  • Develop students' ability to analyze, judge critically, summarize, formulate hypotheses, consider alternatives, distinguish between feelings and reasons, and reach valid conclusions.

  • Encourage students to develop a personal philosophy of life that will make them feel a part of their community and of the world. This will enable them to establish their own values, standards, and ideals; thereby, making them active rather than passive members of the community.

  • Develop in students a positive attitude towards learning in order to encourage them to continue to improve and update their knowledge.

  • Expedite the establishment of interdisciplinary programs in order to facilitate the full development of the intellectual potential of students and enable them to function in a variety of areas of human endeavor.

  • Develop programs which will create student awareness of the need to properly utilize and conserve natural, physical, and economic resources in order to ensure a better life for the people of Puerto Rico and for all humanity.

  • Extend cooperative education to selected academic programs based on the needs of the community.

  • Promote and encourage the professional and technical development of campus employees based on their capabilities and interests as well as the needs and realities of the Institution.

  • Provide students with services and facilities which create a favorable atmosphere for their full intellectual, social, and spiritual development.

  • Develop educational technology resources and expand their effective use.

  • Develop available library resources.

  • Establish and define general criteria to guide the accreditation process of the Institution.

  • Stimulate the participation of the total University community in the planning and evaluation of its academic programs and University agencies.

  • Standardize procedures for the appointment, tenure, and promotion of academic personnel, without losing sight of the particular needs of academic departments.

  • Assist government agencies and the private sector in the search for solutions to the problems that affect our times and the Island.

In accordance with the aforementioned long range goals and general objectives, each department and institutional unit directs its efforts and actions towards the common goal of preparing professionals with the scientific and technological backgrounds and the social awareness necessary to fulfill the needs of our constantly changing society.

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Institutional Student Learning Outcomes

By the time of their graduation, UPRM students will be able to:

a. Communicate effectively.

b. Identify and solve problems, think critically, and synthesize knowledge appropriate to their discipline.

c. Apply mathematical reasoning skills, scientific inquiry methods, and tools of information technology.

d. Apply ethical standards.

e. Recognize the Puerto Rican heritage and interpret contemporary issues.

f. Appraise the essential values of a democratic society.

g. Operate in a global context, relate to a societal context, and demonstrate respect for other cultures.

h. Develop an appreciation for the arts and humanities.

i. Recognize the need to engage in life-long learning.
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