Exploring The University of the East Pacific
Written by Istillian
edited by Vor
The University of The East Pacific (UTEP) was originally founded in 2009 as a simple forum thread but has since grown into one of NationStates’ most prominent universities. Many regions, including Europeia, have established universities in their history, but UTEP has uniquely endured the test of time thanks to the efforts of many dedicated individuals, and the region's ongoing legislative reforms. This article will explore and hopefully provide you with some insight on how UTEP has cemented itself as an integral part of The East Pacific’s (TEP) culture, how it has survived challenges, and has evolved into a thriving institution today.
The first mention of the University of The East Pacific as an established entity is recorded in The Story of the East Pacific article, which references the trial of TEP v. Davelands. The article says "On the same day as the EPNS publication, Todd attempted to give the newly formed UTEP its first project. This project was a professor-like system for a group of topics. The topics were TEP history, NS history, TEP RP, general RP, raiding, and defending. The only ones that had professors were TEP RP (Pax), general RP (DFD), and raiding (Todd). Of these three, only DFD would do something with their position, creating the “Collaborative Fiction Education” project later on in October."
As mentioned, in early 2009 The University of The East Pacific primarily started as a discussion platform, where citizens of the region would engage in debate and share information, similar in structure to Europeia’s Grand Hall. However, several East Pacificans then contributed to the development of the University and sought to shape its structure by the passing of the Education Act in 2009. This act laid the foundation for the University's structure and operations, however over the years it went through four different versions before it was eventually repealed in 2018, and was replaced by the Curia Act. The Curia Act streamlined the University's administration and made the Delegate responsible for overseeing its operation.
Under the Curia Act, the University’s leadership is closely tied to the executive branch of The East Pacific's government. The Chancellor is appointed by the Delegate and serves as the head of the University. They are responsible for overseeing the institution's day-to-day operations and ensuring that it continues to meet the educational needs of the region. While the Chancellor manages the University's affairs, ultimate authority rests with the Delegate and the Chief Minister of Regional Affairs, who have the final say on any major decisions.
For those unfamiliar with The East Pacific though, the government structure is based on a separation of powers among four key branches:
In February of 2021, a revision of the Curia Act was proposed by Magister Mangegneithe and seconded by Provost Dylan. The rewrite was subsequently known as the "Executive Act", and The Curia Act was then encompassed under the Executive Act of The East Pacific. This shift consolidated various governance structures and provided a streamlined approach to managing the University. Section V of The Executive Act outlines specifically the governance of the University of The East Pacific and has effectively incorporated the Curia Act. It established that the Delegate or Chancellor, appointed by the Delegate and a member of the Cabinet, oversees UTEP's administration. The Chancellor has the authority to organise the university, appoint Deputies, and enforce a Code of Decorum to regulate discussions while ensuring that free speech is protected for all published works.
Of note are some of the most influential figures in this period of the history of the University, Batchtendekuppen, and New Leganes (Sammy) particularly. Batchtendekuppen, whom UTEP’s historical archives are named after, took the reins of the University in 2014 and worked to build it into a well-functioning institution. His efforts in the early stages of UTEP's formation were critical to laying down the foundations that later Chancellors would then build upon. Batchtendekuppen is credited with not only maintaining the university during its formative years, but also establishing the framework for its administration and governance during this period. Later, Sammy's reforms could be no better explained than in their own Commendation, cited as implementing "structural reforms to the University of The East Pacific (UTEP), bringing infrastructure, channels for discussion, a publication system for essayist works, and formalized agora debates to the crumbling foundations of UTEP in order to fundamentally change UTEP from a limited learning institution to a marketplace of ideas focused on collaborative discussion and publication, in the pursuit of true academia..." Of interest is that, with founder of Europeia HEM's permission, former Chancellor of UTEP Zukchiva also instituted a portrait gallery for TEP's Heads of Government, something Europeia and TEP now share culturally. The recent revival and development of UTEP, however, can be attributed to the former delegate of The East Pacific, and Chancellor of UTEP, Aivintis. A full historical list of Chancellors and Ministers under the Concordat of The East Pacific can be found here.
The EBC reached out to the current Chancellor of UTEP with respect to how the Executive Act outlines that the Chancellor has the authority to organise the university, and asked Aivintis' thoughts on how the Chancellor is similar in its role as a ministerial appointment, and if the change from the Curia Act to the Executive Act affected this role at all.
More recently Aivintis has contributed significantly to UTEP’s development, and under his leadership UTEP has seen a leap in activity. Aivintis is credited for UTEP's consistent publishing output, including sponsorship of articles in the East Pacific News Service (EPNS). Perhaps as a more direct comparison, this role somewhat mirrors Europeia's Organisation of Independent Media, and public forums like the Grand Hall, where opinions and information is regularly discussed alongside official publications from Private Media outlets. We asked Aivintis what has steered this change, and if they saw the EPNS working alongside the university for articles going forward too.
From its beginnings as a discussion forum to now, where it shapes regional education and discussion, UTEP has evolved through many different leaders and legislative reforms. Today, with UTEP’s ongoing collaboration with the EPNS and its growth and adaptability under Aivintis, it has ensured it will remain a strong institution of The East Pacific, and an example for other regions to follow for many years to come.
