Financial Struggles at the University of La Laguna Raise Concerns

The University of La Laguna (ULL) is currently facing significant financial challenges that are impacting its operations and the well-being of its academic community.

A crucial salary supplement for certain researchers is missing from their payroll, a situation that the university cannot currently rectify due to budget limitations. The faculties of Medicine and Education are in dire need of reform, yet progress is stalled as financial resources are insufficient. Furthermore, the institution is unable to recruit new academic and administrative staff, leading to overcrowded classrooms and increased workloads for existing professors. This ongoing issue of budgetary underfunding has been a persistent concern for the university, which is echoed by similar challenges at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Although neither institution is facing the extreme financial difficulties seen at other universities, such as the Complutense University, the pressure on these Canarian universities remains significant.

Budget Allocation and Shortfalls

ULL has recently approved a budget of €181 million for the year 2026, reflecting a 4.05% increase aimed at supporting its academic functions. This budget surpasses the financial allocations of most municipalities in the Canary Islands and serves a community of approximately 25,000 individuals, including faculty, researchers, and students, which is larger than the population of La Gomera. However, this amount is still far below the €300 million that the university is entitled to receive according to regional legislation, which stipulates that public universities should receive 1% of the region’s GDP. With the Canary Islands’ GDP estimated at around €60 billion, the expected funding for both public universities should be €600 million, yet the allocation for 2026 is only €281 million.

Declining Government Support

The financial support from the government has been on a downward trend. In 2009, the government contributed 84% of ULL’s budget, but this figure is projected to decrease to 82% next year. Despite an increase in the university’s spending capacity by 11% since 2009, inflation has risen by 31%, resulting in a real-term budget cut of 20% over the same period. This decline in funding is particularly detrimental to specific groups within the university.

Impact on Faculty and Students

According to Sergio Siverio, a lecturer in Law and representative of ‘Young Researchers of Tenerife,’ the university is currently unable to provide salary increments for experienced teaching staff or cover the salary supplements owed to those who have completed their doctoral theses. Additionally, there has been a reduction in support for international mobility, which is essential for facilitating research opportunities abroad. The absence of a clear plan for hiring new academic staff exacerbates the situation, as existing faculty members are overwhelmed with increased responsibilities. Andrés Paz, spokesperson for the Canary Island Students’ Association, emphasizes that the lack of adequate staffing is detrimental to students, as it prevents the reduction of class sizes and leads to unfilled teaching positions.

Consequences for Education Quality

The repercussions of these financial constraints extend beyond staffing issues. Students are bearing the brunt of the inadequate resources, which negatively affects the quality of education they receive. Siverio points out that the university’s infrastructure is also suffering due to budget limitations, with essential reforms in the faculties of Education and Medicine still pending. The lack of a multi-annual financing plan from the Government of the Canaries further complicates the situation.

Housing Challenges for Students

In addition to financial difficulties, ULL is grappling with a housing crisis for its students. The demand for university accommodation is high, with over 5,000 students applying for housing this academic year, yet only around 500 spaces are available. Paz highlights that the existing residences are in poor condition and lack adequate services, a situation exacerbated by the government’s failure to increase funding for student housing.

Minimal Government Assistance

The university’s rector, Francisco García, acknowledges that due to ongoing funding deficits, the institution can only meet the most basic needs. The regional government has pledged an additional €3 million for the upcoming year and will cover rising labor costs, but García stresses that this amount falls significantly short of addressing the university’s actual requirements.

Key points

• The University of La Laguna is facing financial challenges affecting faculty salaries and hiring.
• ULL’s budget for 2026 is €181 million, significantly less than the €300 million it is entitled to.
• Government support for the university’s budget is declining, projected to drop from 84% to 82%.
• Students are experiencing overcrowded classrooms and reduced educational quality due to staff shortages.
• There is a severe shortage of student housing, with over 5,000 applicants for only 500 available spaces.
• The university can only meet basic needs due to funding deficits, despite a small increase in government support.