So far in 2024, the national State has sent the National University of Cordoba 51,275 pesos per month for each student, when throughout 2023 it had sent 43,879 pesos, that is, only 16 percent more, although in a context of inflation of 288 percent.
If the investment per student wanted to be recovered at the average value of 2023, the national State would have to increase the resources for each UNC student by 114,590 pesos per month, which would imply an increase of 223 percent in financial resources.
Thus, without the update of the university budget, the adjustment of the funds sent by the Nation to the UNC is 69 percent.
If you wanted to recompose the investment per student by December 2023, when the runaway inflation during Sergio Massa’s administration had already wreaked havoc on the university budget, 21,565 pesos would have to be added to the 51,275 monthly sent by the national government until now, to reach at 72,840 pesos, which would be the updated amount. Thus, the budget cut since Milei took office is 42 percent.
That is the dramatic cut that affects the UNC, the second university in the country, which is responsible for the training of more than 165 thousand students, but which also has two pre-university schools, tertiary schools, two hospitals, a blood products laboratory , dozens of laboratories in all its faculties and even the conservation of a world heritage block.
Budget in red
So far in 2024, according to the Ministry of Economy of the Nation, the national treasury transferred 34,481 million pesos to the UNC; which covers 16.5 percent of its 2024 budget, projected at 207,001 million pesos. This is an ultra-conservative calculation that does not contemplate salary increases, but it shows the situation of the most important university in Córdoba being in check.
Of the 207,001 million pesos (without inflation) planned for the operation of the UNC this year, the Nation committed to sending 125,839 million pesos, which is equivalent to 6.4 percent of all resources for the university and scientific system Argentinian. The bulk of these resources are for the payment of salaries. This year, without considering the parity updates, the UNC should allocate 145,161 million to pay teachers and non-teachers.
Therefore, without a current budget and in a high inflation scenario, the discretionary budgetary resignations defined by the Milei Government become decisive.
So far, the Government announced two budgetary resignations for operating expenses. These are two increases of 90 percent each. However, the “operating” items are minimum items. For example: this year, pre-university faculties and colleges (without hospitals) will demand 55,894.7 million pesos (without adjustment for inflation). The expected operating costs amount to 2,131.6 million, that is, 3.8 percent.
Thus, the increases reported by the national government on operating expenses for the faculties would be 6,174.7 million pesos, the UNC estimates.
Another item in the university budget is investment in technology, essential in the training of professionals. Cutting equipment depreciation is like selling grandma’s jewelry and would prevent its renewal, condemning the next few years to “analog” training of professionals. Until now, the Government has not reported the budget update for technical equipment.
UNC’s own resources
Since the money sent by the Nation does not support the operation of the UNC, the Casa de Trejo uses its own resources to sustain its activities. In the last four years, 13.5 percent of the expenses demanded by UNC were covered with money from the university itself.
These are resources generated by the Laboratory of Blood Products – which this year would have income of 43 billion pesos and will be a surplus –, the audits carried out by the faculties of governments and private individuals, the fees for the legalization of titles, the concessions of businesses and even financial investments.
These own resources will be vital this year, although without budget updates – as the UNC Superior Council warned – “critical impacts will occur for the development of the institution, which would imply facing a process of dissavings to finance the operation of essential activities. ”. In this category are, for example, the operation of the University Dining Hall and research scholarships.
In fact, this year’s university budget has already suffered cuts in programs whose resources were not updated, such as the Popular Universities (22 million pesos) and the trade school (60 million pesos), both with an impact minimal budget, but which have a strong impact on society.
There will also be no public works and adjustments are underway in security contracting and electricity consumption, two services that impact not only the UNC: its campus is an integrated part of the city of Córdoba, and in the heart of the center is the Jesuit Block. , also in the custody of the House of Trejo.
