MEMORY OF THE (RE)STRUCTURING OF COURSES AND CAMPUSES AT THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF PIAUÍ: THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE BARRAS-PI CAMPUS (2000–2022)

Abstract

Abstract: This article analyzes the meanings attributed to the process of (re)structuring the State University of Piauí (UESPI) between 2000 and 2022, based on the historical memory constructed by social actors within the institution. The study draws on interviews with individuals who experienced, directly or indirectly, the closure of courses and on-campus programs starting in the 2000s. The (re)structuring examined contrasts with the expansion movement of state universities in the 1990s. The analysis focuses on the Barras-PI campus and seeks to understand how different oral narratives reveal perceptions, impacts, and meanings attributed to the process. Memory, as a central element of the sources used, guides the understanding of how these events were experienced and interpreted by participants. The accounts reveal recurring causes for the restructuring, such as weaknesses in physical infrastructure, insufficient staff, and administrative difficulties. They also show direct effects, including the discontinuation of courses, the interruption of academic activities, and the closure of campuses offering in-person programs. Regarding the meanings attributed to these changes, a predominant perception emerges that such measures represent a setback for public higher education in the state, especially as they intensify barriers to access. Participants associate the closure of courses and campuses with the loss of educational opportunities and the weakening of UESPI’s social role. The study contributes to a broader understanding of the challenges faced by the university during the period analyzed and highlights the importance of maintaining its territorial presence as a means of ensuring access to and retention in higher education in Piauí.