• CRISIS: One of Mexico’s top-ranked private universities, ITAM, is facing student protests after the alleged suicide of an undergraduate student last week prompting many in the 5,800 student body to question the strict teaching methods along with the availability of mental health services.
• RIGOR: Established in 1946, ITAM is known for its strong economics curriculum and usually ranks high among higher education institutions in Latin America; some student groups however question the tough academic rigor that has led to at least three students suicides, according to them.
• NOT NORMAL: “This idea of (student) exploitation is not right and it’s ending lives. We have to send a clear message saying that nothing goes back to normal until something changes”, said a student who participated on Sunday’s assembly as they planned actions to follow in the spring semester.
• MEASURES: On Saturday, ITAM’s president, Arturo Fernández, listed seven new measures that the university will undertake to deal with the crisis including the creation of a students office, the hiring of a full time mental health counselor, the fostering of a culture and respect, among others.
