Students and Alumni of ISDi Call for Dean's Resignation Due to Authoritarian and Repressive Conduct

Amid a wave of student protests sweeping across various Cuban universities, both current students and alumni of the Higher Institute of Design (ISDi) have issued an open letter demanding the resignation of the faculty dean. The letter, signed by numerous young individuals, criticizes the dean's authoritarian, repressive, and outdated stance that fails to address the technological and social realities facing the nation. This statement comes at a time of growing dissatisfaction due to limited connectivity, resources, and academic freedoms.

The call for action follows a meeting with the institution's leadership where, according to the signatories, legitimate concerns were dismissed, and students faced threats for voicing critical opinions. The letter articulates the frustration of a community that feels ignored and mistreated rather than heard and represented.

Letter from ISDi Students and Alumni

Havana, June 6, 2025

To the ISDi Administration,
To the Dean of the Design Faculty,
And to the Academic Community:

We express our profound disappointment, indignation, and outright rejection of the authoritarian, egocentric, and disdainful behavior exhibited by the Dean of the Higher Institute of Design. The Dean has shown not only a worrying lack of empathy towards the student community but also a clear disconnect from the technological, economic, and social realities that Cuban students are currently facing.

It is unacceptable—and indeed insulting—that amidst a connectivity crisis directly affecting our education, research, and professional development, the Dean would claim that "internet is not needed for design," thereby denying the very essence of modern design, which thrives on access to global references, collaborative platforms, virtual libraries, software updates, and continuous communication. Such statements disregard the current state of design as a discipline and threaten the future of ISDi as an academic institution.

More concerning is the direct threat to expel a student simply for not aligning with the Dean's rhetoric, an action bordering on institutional violence, ideological censorship, and repression of critical thought. This is unacceptable in the 21st century, especially at a university that should foster diversity of ideas, professional ethics, and transformative thinking. The university is not the property of any authority, especially not someone who, in a public service role, places personal business and political convenience above the welfare of the students they claim to represent.

We denounce the hypocrisy of those who profess to defend the socialist model while engaging in elitism, abuse of power, and blatant indifference to the genuine issues faced by their university community. Being revolutionary is not about repeating hollow slogans. It is about listening, respecting, and building with others. It involves a commitment to social justice, not opportunistic business practices.

The students of ISDi are not mere numbers. They are voices. They are critical thinkers. They are human beings with rights. One of those rights is to receive an education that is dignified, modern, and aligned with the contemporary world. Access to the internet is not a luxury; it is an essential tool for studying, creating, and existing as designers in a global context.

We demand respect. We demand assurances. We demand leadership that represents, not represses. We demand an end to political and academic intimidation within our classrooms. We demand the resignation of Dr. Sergio Peña as a consequence of his unacceptable conduct during yesterday's meeting.

From this letter, although we may be denied a platform, we raise our voices: complicit silence is not an option. History does not absolve those who bow to power while trampling on their peers.

Sincerely,

OUTRAGED STUDENTS AND ALUMNI OF ISDi