O movimento estudantil universitário em Santa Maria (1979-1984): da reconstrução da UNE às “Diretas Já”

Abstract

At the end of the civil and military dictatorship in Brazil there was a strong dispute for the project of society to be set up in the ‘New Republic’. The opponents searched for transformation in politics, economy and social affairs. On the other hand, the ones who supported the dictatorship regime defended a transition period in which the power structure would not change substantially. These disputes were inserted in the students’ movement. After a great amount of leaders and students’ entities were banned during the dictatorial period, it came the challenge, in late 1970s, of reorganizing these entities, making them recognized by the government and inserting them in the groups of university students. These matters were also present in Santa Maria. The debates about the reorganization of ‘UNE’ (National Students’ Union, in Portuguese), in 1979, and of ‘UEE’ (State Students’ Union, in Portuguese), in 1980 were mapped. Concerned to the students’ representation in the University Councils, there was a defense of a fifth part of chairs intended for this category. The most general subjects also had some students’ interventions like the protests against poverty, low salaries and in the political campaign for free elections for President called ‘Diretas Já’ (Direct Elections Now, in Portuguese), in 1984.