Classes began on schedule on Monday, 13 September at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, the state university, despite a call to strike by one professor union. Apparently professors and students alike were eager to get to work. The authorities at the UASD have been making budgetary cuts, resulting in the elimination of perks and privileges to employees and professors. The cuts have eliminated multiple wage payments being made that did not correspond with work being carried out. The university also has plans to not admit students with grade averages of 60 points or less. This semester alone more than 12,000 students with grade averages of 60 points or less deserted voluntarily. The UASD at one time was the most prestigious in the DR. Years of letting politics take over has resulted in a consistent decline on the performance of the students. Recent studies today show that 48% of the students maintain averages of less than 70 points. The UASD has a registration of 102,000 students for the 1999-2000 semester.
