National Autonomous University of Mexico Terminates Exchange Program with University of Arizona

Mexico City – The Dean of UNAM, José Narro Robles, regretted suspending the exchange program with the University of Arizona because of the passage of Arizona’s S.B. 1070 into law, but pointed out that “dignity comes before all else.”

Narro Robles explained that “the government of a state in the American union has taken a stance and made a determination that offends the dignity of the Mexican people, and it hurts us deeply.”

“It offends not only the Mexican people, but also Central Americans, Latin Americans and others; and may exacerbate attitudes that are frankly racist, and persecution based on skin color and appearance,” he asserted.

Interviewed during a business trip to the Mexican city of Morelia, he said he was convinced that it was necessary to suspend student exchanges at this time.

He emphasized that this was a painful decision because a lot of work had gone into establishing a relationship of trust between the two institutions, and that there is still a deep respect for the University of Arizona, which has a long academic tradition.

UNAM notified the University of Arizona of the cancellation of its summer student exchange program as a consequence of the passage of Arizona’s bill S.B. 1070.