UNED La Seu Students Demand Better Communication and Representation

Students at the UNED associated centre in La Seu d'Urgell are calling for stronger institutional communication and genuine representation in decisions affecting their education, amid ongoing challenges at the facility.

The opinion piece emphasises that recent comments from centre director María José Moreno highlight valid points but oversimplify issues around student involvement. For years, the centre has faced difficulties that have become more apparent in recent months. Students have pushed for concrete improvements—such as new screens and requested materials—without partisan rhetoric or personal agendas.

A recent visit by UNED rector Ricardo Mairal reignited concerns over communication. While the centre notifies the mayor of La Seu d'Urgell to arrange his schedule for institutional meetings, student representatives are often overlooked, despite their direct stake in academic matters. The piece argues that representation is a core principle of academic governance, not a formality. When official channels falter, media outlets fill the gap, amplifying student voices excluded from internal discussions.

Improvements at the centre, including contributions from the local council, are acknowledged, as are past responses from the mayor and rector to student requests. However, fragmented communication undermines these efforts. Students have also raised questions about funding for UNED needs, without commenting on municipal spending.

The director has stressed the need for factual accuracy and warned against distorting the truth or shifting focus. Yet students insist that public and academic roles demand loyalty and transparency, separate from personal grievances. They view themselves as the true stakeholders, training to build their futures and community.

Recent advances owe much to student persistence, which navigated outdated protocols and perceived directorial indifference. Official photos now celebrate these gains with awards, but the priority should remain restoring institutional respect for the centre. The university must prioritise dialogue, rigour, and shared responsibility, with student input as a structural element rather than an afterthought.