The greatest crisis of the Medical School of San Fernando and cogovernment

Abstract

In the context of political and social changes that characterized the decade of the 1960s in Peru and as one of the long-term outcomes of the «Grito de Córdoba» leading to educational reform in the entire continent, an event came about which left a lasting mark in Peru´s university education with consequences still impacting our present day. This major event, known as San Fernando ´s second «sisma» culminated in the resignation of 455 professors from the 100-year-old Medical School founded by famous historical figure Hipólito Unanue. The professors´ motive was their opposition to legislation requiring shared governance with the student body. This law did not exempt the Medical School from shared governance as which the professors had argued for on the grounds of the special academic nature of medical studies. This paper presents historical research spanning over fifty years. It is based on a thorough study of primary sources from the period as well as testimonies from key faculty and students involved in the conflict. The goal is to unearth the ideological, social, and political roots of this process while maintaining a rigorous study of the circumstances and characteristics of the dramatic historical events that sparked national attention. An important question permeates this study: Could this conflict have been prevented? There is no simple answer since both dissenting parties were convinced their position was true and both justified such conviction as an honorable patriotic endeavor. In presenting the facts, various accounts and relevant analysis we wish to ignite a debate in the medical and scholastic community that would lead to an enriching and balanced interpretation of these historical events.