Expansion of higher education: assessment of the impact of Reuni at the Federal University of Santa Catarina

Abstract

Introduction/Objective: the objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of the Higher Education expansion policy promoted through the implementation of the Support Program for University Restructuring Plans (Reuni) at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC). Reuni was an integral part of a federal government public policy, which aimed to create conditions to expand access and retention in higher education. The object of study was defined within a time frame and delimited to the five UFSC campuses, in order to evaluate the impacts of Reuni on the institution ten years after its completion. Method: The research was defined as a case study, with a strategy of bibliographical and documentary research and semi-structured interviews with actors involved with Reuni at UFSC. Reports and documents produced by UFSC were analyzed, as well as consultation of bibliographic sources. Results/Conclusion: Through the analysis of documents, in dialogue with the interviewees' responses, it was possible to identify important advances in the areas of infrastructure, with works on the headquarters campus and the creation of new campuses, personnel, with the hiring of new technical and teaching staff. However, the same analysis made it clear that many of the works planned in the project were not carried out and that the expansion of the staff was less than expected. Through statistical data on the demand for courses created by Reuni at UFSC, it was possible to see that problems related to filling vacancies have been accentuated in recent years, especially since the 2019 Entrance Exam.