University of Puerto Rico

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Founded in 1903, the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) is the oldest and largest university system in Puerto Rico. Though Puerto Rico is not a U.S. state, the system is run much like a state university system and its programs have been accreditated by US accreditation agencies. UPR consists of 11 campuses with approximately 64,740 student and faculty. (Approximately 60,000 are undergraduates).

[edit] History

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In 1900, at Fajardo, the "Escuela Normal Industrial" is established as the first higher education center in Puerto Rico. The following year it was moved to Rio Piedras. On March 12, 1903 a law was passed which officially created the University of Puerto Rico. That same day the "Escuela Normal" was proclaimed as the first department of the University of Puerto Rico.

In 1908, the United States government extended financial aid to the University of Puerto Rico as part of the Morill Act thus making the university a land grant. From these new funds another campus, "El Colegio de Agricultura", was established in 1911 at Mayagüez. One year later its name was changed to "Colegio de Agricultura y Artes Mecánicas" (CAAM).

On September 20, 1966, then Governor Roberto Sánchez Vilella signed a law which reorganizes the University of Puerto Rico. The most important changes were the following:

It grants complete autonomy to the School of Medicine which becomes the Medical Sciences campus.
It grants complete autonomy to the Mayagüez and Río Piedras campuses. The former is renamed as "Recinto Universitario de Mayagüez" (RUM), a name it keeps to this day. At present time the RUM is well known for its excellence in Engineering and Science programs. The Rio Piedras campus is best known for the Social and Hummanities studies. Also, it has strong sciences departments. At present time, the Rio Piedras Campus has an strong emphasis in the doctoral level programs. The Law School is the oldest in Puerto Rico.

Portico of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (RUM)

Three regional colleges are established at Arecibo, Cayey and Humacao.
In 1969 the regional college at Cayey becomes an official campus. It is granted complete autonomy in 1982.
In 1969 the regional college at Ponce is inaugurated.
In 1970 the regional college at Bayamón is inaugurated.
In 1972 the regional college at Aguadilla is inaugurated.
In 1973 the regional college at Carolina is inaugurated.
In 1978 the regional college at Utuado is inaugurated.