Reading compliance is reading assigned course materials in preparation for class. Previous research in university settings in the US suggests that compliance with a professor's request to prepare for class among undergraduate students is low. This paper reports on a study conducted among undergraduate students at the Universities of Cuenca and Azuay in Cuenca, Ecuador to assess their reading behaviors and preferences as well as the factors that influence their decisions to comply or not comply with their professors' assigned course readings. The study found that, whereas students are generally positive about the value of their reading assignments, they do not read much. Considerable differences of opinion exist between public and private university students on the topic. The study advocates a more active role for professors in enhancing students reading behaviors and suggests opportunities for future research. RESUMENEl cumplimiento de lectura es el proceso de leer los materiales del curso asignados, para la preparación de la clase. Investigaciones previas en entornos universitarios en los Estados Unidos, sugieren que el cumplimiento de la petición de un profesor para preparar la clase entre los estudiantes universitarios es bajo. Este documento informa sobre un estudio realizado entre los estudiantes de pregrado en las universidades de Cuenca y Azuay, en la ciudad de Cuenca, Ecuador; con el fin de evaluar sus comportamientos y preferencias de lectura. Así también, los factores que influyen en sus decisiones para cumplir o no cumplir con las lecturas del curso asignadas por sus profesores. El estudio encontró que, mientras los estudiantes son positivos sobre el valor de sus tareas de lectura en general, no leen mucho. Existen considerables diferencias de opinión entre los estudiantes universitarios públicos y privados sobre el tema. El estudio aboga por un papel más activo de los profesores en mejorar los comportamientos de lectura de los estudiantes y sugiere oportunidades para futuras investigaciones. Palabras clave: El cumplimiento de lectura, conducta de la lectura, el análisis comparativo, Universidad de Cuenca, Universidad del Azuay. 1.

In light of recent changes in Ecuador's higher education system that are aimed at enhancing the universities' academic performance and thereby their ability to help address the country's socioeconomic problems and contribute to the country's growth, this article reports on a study that investigated the research and reading behaviors of faculty members in a private and a public university in Cuenca, Ecuador. An analysis of the self-reported reading and research behaviors of 129 professors in both universities revealed that professors are poorly prepared to conduct research and are even less familiar with publishing its results in peer reviewed journals. Hardly any differences in faculty reading and research behaviors were observed between both universities. Additionally, no significant differences in research productivity were detected between those professors who held graduate degrees and those who did not. The article concludes that greater research and publication expectations need to be placed on professors with advanced degrees, in particular those holding doctoral degrees. The latter should take on leadership roles in the universities' research efforts. However, to make this happen Ecuador's universities need to take steps to reduce faculty involvement in teaching, provide adequate resources and create an infrastructure that is truly conducive to research growth. This process will be further enhanced if a reward system for research and publication is in place.

En Huarochirí, dioses y hombres se convierten en piedra; ¿es este un castigo? Cavillaca descubre que el padre de su hija no es ninguno de los huaca que ricamente ataviados la pretenden, sino el único pordiosero de todos