Sister schools should share valuesContinuing disputes with TCU’s sister school, Universidad de las Americas Puebla, have caused an unstable relationship between the two universities.

UDLA had a host of problems ranging from freedom of expression to accreditation issues. Moreover, the way UDLA handled these issues has been equally problematic.

For instance, when the accreditation was threatened by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools last January, UDLA took a poor approach toward rectifying the situation. The school decided to start firing board and faculty members in what seemed to be an “out with the bad, in with the good” tactic.

That would have been a good idea, had the people who were terminated not been integral to keeping accreditation. SACS cited financial instability and an inadequate governing board as problems with UDLA.

SACS was right for calling out a weak governing board. Five members of the board were fired and the board of trustees was dissolved in April.

The firings did not stop there, though. One of the initial problems publicized was the shutting down of UDLA’s student newspaper, La Catarina. Though the paper has been reinstated, the new editorial staff is not made up of the same people who faced the censorship of the administration before. Not allowing freedom of speech is a problem when it is a value that TCU holds.

The new guard of La Catarina is made up of people with little experience, including an editor-in-chief with no prior experience.

If there is supposed to be a new relationship formed, UDLA needs to try to uphold some of the same moral guidelines as TCU. A relationship is based on understanding and agreement. If there is a lack of compromise, there is no reason the sister school program should continue.

Associate Editor Marcus Murphree for the editorial board.