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Venezuelan Law Brings Democracy to Universities

admin — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 01:31:24 +0000

The Venezuelan National Assembly passed a law granting social equality to all community members in University administrative processes. The new University Education Law will replace the current University Council process where higher ranked authorities are granted with heavier weighing votes. Instead, students, professors, administrators, workers and community members will elect university councils for budgeting and administration concerning the universities. In addition, students will take part in the voting processes to elect university authorities, evaluate professors, express opinions openly, access administrative records for the university and other services. Those in favor of the law feel that it bridges the gap between the community and the elite previously in power.

Opposition of the new law argues that when the first draft of the law was released in August of 2001, it hardly resembled the current law. Though the current law was released on August 16 as a proposal, it was only open for discussion for a couple of weeks before it was voted on. Those opposing the law argue that it is contradictory to university autonomy due to “populist politicking,” though Article 36 defines intellectual freedom to all and fights against a smaller administration. There have been many controversial protests, which have led to the use of a water cannon, plastic shotgun pellets, etc. over the new University Education Law.

Title: “Venezuelan University Law Creates Student Bill of Rights, Democratizes Higher Education.”

Publication: Venezuelanalysis.com, December 24, 2010

Author: James Suggett

URL: http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/5893

Faculty Evaluator: Professor Tadrissi (Sonoma State University)

Student Name: Amanda Newhall (Sonoma State University)

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Iranian Election not Stolen

admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:39:01 +0000

Because the issue of whether the election was stolen will remain relevant, both to our understanding of the situation and to US-Iranian relations, it is important to recognize the legitimacy of the Iranian election results.

Title: Iranian Elections: The ‘Stolen Elections’ Hoax

Author: James Petras,

Source: Global Research, 6/18/2009

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=14018

Student Researcher: Meg Carlucci

Faculty Evaluator: Janet Hess, PhD

Sonoma State University

Corporate Media Source:

Title: Was the Iranian Election Stolen? Does It Matter?”

Author: Mark Weisbrot, Washington Post, 6/26/2009

http://www.cepr.net/index.php/op-eds-&-columns/op-eds-&-columns/was-the-iranian-election-stolen/Similar Posts:

Ghana: Military won’t intimidate voters-Major Owusu

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:56:25 +0000

Student Researcher: Andrea McCarthy

Faculty Instructor: Christina M. Knopf, Ph.D.

Evaluator: Ryan McCarthy, Peace Corp member 2006-2008

Ghana military is not placed at polling stations to intimidate or persuade voters, but to help support Ghana police. Countries in Africa have had multiple problems with their elections being corrupt or crooked. While it may be intimidating for the up-and-coming voters in Ghana to have military standing around them while they vote, it is to keep the peace while voting is occurring. “Major Owusu indicated that to avoid creating doubts in the minds of the public, all the security services were harmonizing to streamline their activities for the elections.” To make sure that the military personnel do not intimidate voters, and are, in fact, there to keep the peace, strong measures will be put in place. The police, regional election task force, and military will all be tested on their preparedness to handle the voting process and on what problems may occur throughout the day.

“Ghana: Military won’t intimidate voters-Major Owusu.” Accra Mail, All Africa Global Media, November 12, 2008. http://allafrica.com/stories/200811120998.htmlSimilar Posts: