University gives “unrestricted support” to naked students at freshmen reception

Federal deputy Nikolas Ferreira stated on his social networks that he will take “measures” regarding the action of students from the University of Rio Grande (Furg) who appeared completely naked to welcome new students to the institution. “These must be the experts who understand education”, criticized the parliamentarian, who is president of the Education Committee of the Chamber of Deputies.

The statement was made in his page on the X network (formerly Twitter) on Monday (18), after the rectory of the university in Rio Grande do Sul declared “unrestricted support” for the “artistic performance” carried out by the students. “The courses have full autonomy to promote activities in their areas of activity, including the reception of freshmen”, stated the university, in an official note.

The action was recorded on video on March 8 and went viral, receiving numerous criticisms on social media. In the images circulating on the internet, it is possible to see four naked individuals sitting at a table while new students are welcomed into the institution. The “actors” wear sunglasses and talk.

For the Furg rectory, “the performance in question meets all the technical and conceptual precepts of the visual arts and was authorized and monitored by the Management of the Institute of Letters and Arts and the Coordination of the Visual Arts Course”.

The performance can be considered an “abusive act”, says jurist

However, jurist André Marsiglia, a specialist in freedom of expression, classified as “absurd” the university’s understanding that there would be no problem receiving freshmen exhibiting nudity.

“Although it recognizes, by hypothesis, that it is an artistic manifestation, it does not mean that its practice should not comply with any criteria or legal limits”, he points out, citing that the “nude” is conditioned by requirements and indicative age classifications in theaters, cinemas and magazines.

Therefore, “if there is this conditioning when consumers chose to purchase that product or be in that environment, what about a reception for freshmen within an academic environment, in which students attended with the expectation of taking classes, not being forced to attend? performance?” asks the jurist.

According to him, the act can be considered “abusive” and “even criminally classified as an obscene practice”, as stated in Article 233 of the Penal Code. And, “as the issue has become public, you do not necessarily need to be a student or victim of the act to represent the fact to the Public Ministry (MP)”, he explains. This representation can be made in writing or in person at the Attorney’s Office by individuals or legal entities, private entities, professional associations, civil associations or public administration bodies.

Furg criticizes the negative repercussion

The university’s rectory states that the situation “demonstrates how much Brazilian society still lacks a more accurate understanding of the diversity of artistic manifestations and the concept of civility, both supported by respect and not distorted moral judgments”.

The university of Rio Grande is the same one that, in November 2023, exhibited a work of art in the institution’s corridors that was criticized for allegedly supporting abortion. “There is an abortion tree in pavilion 4”, said a visitor to the exhibition in a post on social media at the time.

The case also went viral on the internet, and the institution explained that the work had been installed on the educational institution’s premises in reference to an event focused on environmental studies.