What Do We Know About Quotas? Data and Considerations About the Implementation of the Quota System in the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)

This paper discusses statistical data about the implementation of the quota system in the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ). In spite of the huge national debate about the legal foundations of quotas, little attention has been paid to the way quotas actually work where the system has been implemented. Against expectations, figures suggest that quota students perform similarly to other students and show lower dropping out rates. In addition to this, UERJ starts developing a new identity around the fact that quotas diversify the pool of students and mix people of different social and racial background. However, the percentage of quota students enrolling every year in academic courses has constantly decreased since quotas were introduced in 2003. Reasons for this phenomenon have been hardly explored and are presented as hypotheses due to the lack of research and the difficult access to the pool of statistical data hold by the University.Key words: quota system, academic opportunities, policies of affirmative actions public state university, social disadvantag