The University We Wanted to Be

Abstract

From 1970 to 1975, approximately one group of Costa Ricans, originally convened and stimulated by parents of future university students, met to consider the need and possibility of creating another university in the country, which was unofficial.

To make possible a new unofficial university, it demanded to keep in mind several issues of very high interest. Among them, the history of the university, the adequacy of a legal framework that underpins its existence, how to finance the university and the most appropriate way to establish and achieve the fulfillment of the university's ends.

The enactment of the Foundations Act in Costa Rica cleared one of the problems faced by the creators of the new university, as it constituted the most appropriate basis for the entity to be created.

In other respects, the immeasurable value of freedom of education was taken into account, always in danger of being contradicted by the actions and omissions of official entities, as was the preferential right of parents to choose the type of education to be given to their children.