Historic reform in UAEMéx: Student vote will be decisive

The Autonomous University of the State of Mexico (UAEMéx) has taken a historic step toward democratizing its internal activities. After one of the deepest crises in its history, a reform was implemented that will give greater weight to student voting in the process of electing the rector.

The student community of the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico (UAEMéx) has achieved a significant victory in its struggle for greater democratic participation. After weeks of strikes, protests, and a crisis that led to the resignation of the previous rector, a reform has materialized that will transform the way the institution's highest authority is elected.

The conflict erupted during the 2025-2029 rectorship election. Students denounced inequity in the process, a weighted voting system that minimized their participation, and a lack of openness on the part of university authorities.

The protests escalated, leading to the occupation of several faculties and demands for the resignation of the then rector, Carlos Eduardo Barrera Díaz, whom they accused of failing to respond to their demands. Student pressure was such that, in May, Barrera Díaz submitted his resignation to, in his words, "contribute to resolving the conflict."

The main student demand was clear: universal, free, and secret voting. While the reform currently in place falls short of that goal, it does represent a substantial step forward. The most important change is that student votes will have greater weight in the final vote count for the rector.

In addition, the reform includes other important points that emerged from the dialogue tables with the student community:

* Decriminalization of protest: Student demonstrations and protests will no longer be criminalized as a legitimate form of expression.

* Greater transparency: Clearer and more transparent mechanisms will be established in all university processes, including the electoral process.

"The candidates (for the rectorship) indicated that they recognize the students' demands for a more equitable university," it was reported after a public meeting, reflecting the change in tone among university leaders.

This reform is seen as a watershed in the recent history of the UAEMéx. It represents the triumph of an organized student movement that successfully challenged the university's traditional power structure and forced significant change.

Now, with a new process on the horizon and five female candidates seeking the position of rector, the university community hopes this reform will be the first step toward a more democratic and inclusive institution that truly puts its students at the center of decision-making.