USP: o êxito e a crise

Abstract

This essay stems from a questioning: Is there a crisis throughout Brazilian universities, especially in the University of São Paulo? If so, what is its nature, extend and possible reasons for it? First, we deal with the identity crisis from the viewpoint of its historical roots dating back to 1968, when the authoritarian regime devised and implemented the university reform. The essay addresses some dilemmas, such as those relating to how to ensure the continuity of some of its axes, namely, freedom of intellectual creation, autonomy concerning internal organization, and indivisibility of teaching, research and culture production and extension. While on the one hand there have been some gains from the hastened academic specialization and strong incentives to the dissemination and internationalization of knowledge, on the other hand it cannot be denied that these new trends have heightened the negative effects of excessive bureaucracy and contributed to creating gaps in the political communication among the players making up the three university bodies.