Students at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo rioted yesterday to protest announcements that the UASD would have to pay for electricity consumed. The announcement had been made by university authorities. Electricity distribution and collection of bills was privatized in August and government entities now have to pay up or get disconnected. The UASD not being an exception. The UASD is at present under financial strain. The rector’s office itself has publicized countless number of appointments of persons that render little or no service and are on payrolls. Over the years, and primarily due to political influences, hundreds of professors and employees, have attached to the university to secure personal benefit. The university staff benefits have consistently increased at tax payers expense. The budget grew and grew as governments increased the subsidy seeking to avoid conflicts. Today the UASD has a budget bigger than that of the city of Santo Domingo, and the cost per student to the state is almost higher than what it would cost the government to pay for tuition for students at private universities. Rector Miguel Rosado has attempted to reduce excessive expenditures, but the university continues to operate at a heavy deficit. It is very probable that it did not contemplate in this year’s budget that it would have to pay its electricity bills.
