The proposed university law in the Comunidad de Madrid is stirring significant controversy by shifting financial control from university rectors to a newly established Economic Control Office. This office, overseen by the Social Council appointed by the regional government, will now hold the authority to approve expenditures, raising concerns about the autonomy of public universities.
Critics, including legal experts, describe this move as an “assault” on public education and an infringement on the constitutional autonomy guaranteed to universities. They argue that the law undermines the integrity of higher education in the region, which is already facing challenges due to the increasing influence of private institutions.
The proposed legislation, known as the Higher Education, Universities, and Science Law (Lesuc), effectively replaces the rector and university manager as the primary financial decision-makers with a triad of individuals, two of whom will be appointed by the university”s Social Council. The third will be a minority representative chosen by the university itself.
Over the past two years, the administration led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso has been accused of populating these councils with individuals aligned with the People”s Party (PP), often excluding voices from the public university sector. Noteworthy figures like Francisco Marhuenda, a former PP parliament member, have been appointed to such positions, raising eyebrows about potential conflicts of interest.
The law also stipulates that the Comunidad de Madrid will not contribute more than 70% to university budgets, which critics claim could jeopardize the quality of public education. A legal expert pointed out that this could be the “final nail in the coffin” for high-quality public universities.
In practical terms, this means that decisions about hiring faculty or establishing new programs could rest in the hands of individuals with ties to the private sector, potentially prioritizing corporate interests over educational values. For instance, Marhuenda, who currently heads the Social Council at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, will have significant influence over decisions that directly affect the university”s operational capabilities.
Beyond financial oversight, the draft law includes provisions that appear to facilitate the sharing of resources between public and private universities, which could further blur the lines between the two sectors. Critics argue that public institutions might be expected to provide facilities and equipment to private universities that lack such resources, essentially subsidizing private education with public assets.
Legal scholars warn that this encroachment on financial autonomy violates constitutional protections and existing organic laws governing university operations. They assert that the ability of universities to manage their own budgets is crucial for maintaining independence from governmental control.
As the Comunidad de Madrid moves forward with this legislation, experts fear that it may diminish the role of public universities in providing accessible education for all, particularly for those who cannot afford private alternatives. The broader implications of this law could endanger the future of public higher education in the region.
