Architect Reports Construction Deficiencies at the University of Costa Rica
Allegations of quality management failures in university buildings lead to legal and institutional repercussions.
In November 2022, Ana Ulloa Dormond, then-director of the Office of the Investment Program (OEPI) at the University of Costa Rica (UCR), raised significant concerns regarding the construction quality of university buildings financed by the World Bank.
During a presentation to the University Council, Ulloa stated that out of 18 buildings, eight required remedial actions in 2021. By November 2022, two structures were not operational, while six could operate only partially due to hidden defects.
The remaining ten buildings were deemed functional.
Ulloa emphasized, "In terms of opportunities for improvement and quality management, having eight buildings with remedial plans is far from being close to a management of quality.
This implies design and inspection reprocesses, cost overruns, impacts on research, deterioration of uninstalled equipment, and issues regarding external funding capture.” Ulloa had taken her post in 2021.
Three years later, the University Council reported criminal complaints concerning alleged irregularities in the construction of four buildings after law enforcement conducted raids and temporary arrests related to the Cyclotron building case in February.
In February 2023, Gustavo Gutiérrez Espeleta, former rector of the UCR, published an opinion piece claiming the university had to invest roughly ¢500 million (approximately $870,000) from its regular budget in 2023 to make operational buildings that were due for completion as contracted.
His analysis indicated that the Cyclotron would require $2 million in corrections to meet the original contractual standards.
The Cyclotron serves as a laboratory for early diagnosis and timely treatment of diseases with high prevalence in the nation, particularly cancer and cardiovascular illnesses.
Gutiérrez reported that in May 2024, he had submitted a complaint regarding this building.
Following Ulloa’s presentation, the University Council requested a clarification, responding to a note from Cotter Murillo, a longtime coordinator with OEPI, who sought explanations regarding Ulloa’s assertions.
In November 2022, the OEPI local branch of the UCR union (SINDEU) criticized Ulloa's claims, demanding that she retract her statements and issue a public apology to the professionals associated with UCR construction projects.
The document suggested that if Ulloa's allegations were accurate, they would imply the existence of corruption in public work execution and poor management of public funds related to UCR infrastructure.
In her response to the University Council's request, Ulloa released a document elaborating on her concerns regarding the management of infrastructure project supervision.
She indicated that under her leadership, OEPI would implement various processes aimed at improving communication with users during construction and addressing defects or hidden issues identified in buildings during the post-completion period.
The response included reports of complaints from users about installations not meeting specified requirements.
For instance, the Center for Materials Engineering Research (CICIMA) indicated that installed materials did not meet the plan specifications.
Furthermore, a facility built for the Sustainable Development Engineering program reported ongoing issues eight months post-receipt, urging OEPI to resolve these problems.
Testimony from the Costa Rican Chamber of Construction (CCC) highlighted concerns regarding the informal nature of UCR projects, noting last-minute cancellations of inspection meetings and contractor-led correction lists.
Ulloa's document included a detailed table outlining the status of the 18 buildings and received reports.
Among the non-operational structures were those designated for the Neuroscience Research Center and the Cyclotron PET/CT, as well as the INIFAR (Institute of Pharmaceutical Research).
Non-operational buildings were defined as those that failed to meet necessary spatial or functional criteria for operational commencement, as outlined in the report.
Gutiérrez, who served as rector between January 2021 and 2024, referenced Ulloa's 2022 findings in a social media post, noting that irregularities had been detected in the construction of 13 buildings as reported by OEPI to the University Council in December 2022. This involved projects funded through a loan obtained during negotiations for the Special Fund for Higher Education (FEES) in 2010 and executed under previous administrations.
During a presentation to the University Council, Ulloa stated that out of 18 buildings, eight required remedial actions in 2021. By November 2022, two structures were not operational, while six could operate only partially due to hidden defects.
The remaining ten buildings were deemed functional.
Ulloa emphasized, "In terms of opportunities for improvement and quality management, having eight buildings with remedial plans is far from being close to a management of quality.
This implies design and inspection reprocesses, cost overruns, impacts on research, deterioration of uninstalled equipment, and issues regarding external funding capture.” Ulloa had taken her post in 2021.
Three years later, the University Council reported criminal complaints concerning alleged irregularities in the construction of four buildings after law enforcement conducted raids and temporary arrests related to the Cyclotron building case in February.
In February 2023, Gustavo Gutiérrez Espeleta, former rector of the UCR, published an opinion piece claiming the university had to invest roughly ¢500 million (approximately $870,000) from its regular budget in 2023 to make operational buildings that were due for completion as contracted.
His analysis indicated that the Cyclotron would require $2 million in corrections to meet the original contractual standards.
The Cyclotron serves as a laboratory for early diagnosis and timely treatment of diseases with high prevalence in the nation, particularly cancer and cardiovascular illnesses.
Gutiérrez reported that in May 2024, he had submitted a complaint regarding this building.
Following Ulloa’s presentation, the University Council requested a clarification, responding to a note from Cotter Murillo, a longtime coordinator with OEPI, who sought explanations regarding Ulloa’s assertions.
In November 2022, the OEPI local branch of the UCR union (SINDEU) criticized Ulloa's claims, demanding that she retract her statements and issue a public apology to the professionals associated with UCR construction projects.
The document suggested that if Ulloa's allegations were accurate, they would imply the existence of corruption in public work execution and poor management of public funds related to UCR infrastructure.
In her response to the University Council's request, Ulloa released a document elaborating on her concerns regarding the management of infrastructure project supervision.
She indicated that under her leadership, OEPI would implement various processes aimed at improving communication with users during construction and addressing defects or hidden issues identified in buildings during the post-completion period.
The response included reports of complaints from users about installations not meeting specified requirements.
For instance, the Center for Materials Engineering Research (CICIMA) indicated that installed materials did not meet the plan specifications.
Furthermore, a facility built for the Sustainable Development Engineering program reported ongoing issues eight months post-receipt, urging OEPI to resolve these problems.
Testimony from the Costa Rican Chamber of Construction (CCC) highlighted concerns regarding the informal nature of UCR projects, noting last-minute cancellations of inspection meetings and contractor-led correction lists.
Ulloa's document included a detailed table outlining the status of the 18 buildings and received reports.
Among the non-operational structures were those designated for the Neuroscience Research Center and the Cyclotron PET/CT, as well as the INIFAR (Institute of Pharmaceutical Research).
Non-operational buildings were defined as those that failed to meet necessary spatial or functional criteria for operational commencement, as outlined in the report.
Gutiérrez, who served as rector between January 2021 and 2024, referenced Ulloa's 2022 findings in a social media post, noting that irregularities had been detected in the construction of 13 buildings as reported by OEPI to the University Council in December 2022. This involved projects funded through a loan obtained during negotiations for the Special Fund for Higher Education (FEES) in 2010 and executed under previous administrations.
