CRASP on the economic situation of universities
Position of the CRASP Presidium of 7 October 2022 on the economic situation of Polish universities
In response to the rapidly deteriorating economic situation of Polish universities, the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland makes a dramatic appeal to the Authorities of the Republic of Poland to take decisive steps, as soon as possible, to protect the units of the national system of higher education and science from the financial and staffing crisis threatening them.
The members of the CRASP Presidium feel obliged to emphasise that the rapidly rising inflation rate and a sharp increase in the operating costs of Polish universities, associated, inter alia, with drastic increases in electricity prices, often reaching several hundred per cent, with a few per cent increase in the value of subsidies, will inevitably shake the financial situation of entities of the Polish system of higher education and science, exposing them not only to loss of financial liquidity, but also forcing them to radically reduce their activities and invest in the development of research infrastructure. All the consequences of these phenomena are difficult to predict; they may also prove potentially irreversible.
In the current situation, it should also be noted that the prohibition on increasing fees during the education cycle, enshrined in the Act of 20 July 2018. -Law on Higher Education and Science prohibiting the raising of tuition fees during the educational cycle, in the context of the highest inflation in 25 years, poses an additional threat to the economic stability of the functioning of higher education institutions, especially non-public higher education institutions. At the same time, we fully understand the financial problems of tertiary students who are struggling to cope with the rising costs of studying and living, especially in large academic centres. The system of material support for students therefore also requires special solutions.
Maintaining the increase in subsidies at the current level as early as next year will inevitably exacerbate the difficult financial situation of higher education and science system stakeholders, while contributing to a further dramatic widening of the wage gap between salaries in higher education and science and other sectors of the economy and the loss of the most valuable university staff.
The decision to grant Polish higher education institutions additional funding to increase gross staff salaries by 4.4% appears grossly inadequate in relation to the current inflation rate of 17.2%, as well as to the demands long made by representatives of the Polish academic and scientific community.
The last regulations on the minimum monthly basic salaries to which professors at public universities are entitled, for which both the salaries of other employees and the stipends awarded to doctoral school participants are determined, took place in 2018. This is undoubtedly one of the reasons why national universities have been losing experienced and highly qualified staff for some time. The increase in the minimum wage announced for 2023 – in the absence of funds to increase salaries in higher education and science units – can only exacerbate and accelerate this phenomenon.
We are aware of the seriousness and complexity of the current economic and economic situation facing our country, including its entire higher education and science system. We are aware of the need for cost-saving measures. Under the circumstances, however, it is absolutely essential to apply systemic, coordinated protective and supportive measures for higher education taken by the Central Authorities in the name of concern for the education of our future elites.
