The Governing Council of the University of Barcelona approves a budget of 370.6 million euros

Regarding income, the funding of Generalitat de Catalunya, which is about 214.33 million in the 2018 budget, has increased by 1 % regarding the previous one, as a result of the payment of a part of the new building of the Faculty of Law. UB own incomes are another important increase that goes from 10.1 to 16.2 million euros, a 60 % higher. However, the extraordinary income has declined from 4.1 to 1.9 million euros, a 54 % less than in 2017; and the final income goes from 39.9 to 32.2, a 19 % less compared to last year.

Regarding the expenses, chapter 1 -staff─ is the one that accounts for the higher figures, which are around the 253 million euros. In the 2018 calculations there has been a decline of the financial expense, has gone from 1.3 million to 900,000 euros, a 35 % lower. However, the most significant decline has occurred in the expenditures with a final funding, which has gone from 39.9 million in 2017 to 32.3 million euros in 2018.

The general manager of the UB, Francisco Sánchez Montero, said the budget has been submitted to approval at this moment due the need of a stable management framework due the lack of a budget law both from the State and Generalitat. He noted that not having a government in Generalitat has delayed the terms.

The Board of Trustees of the UB has also approved the new funding model of the departments, in which the full-time staff will account for a 20 % of the funding; teaching for a 50 % and research, a 30 %. The vice-rector for Economy, Oriol Escardíbul, said the attitude of this reform took into account the volume of activity in the departments, the will to provide incentives for results and accountability and the consideration of research performance.

Changes in the Management of the University of Barcelona

In the Governing Council meeting, the rector of the University of Barcelona, Joan Elias, notified about the resignation of the manager, Francisco Sánchez Montero, and the resignation of the director of Human Resources, Fernando Hernández Baena. The rector highlighted the professionalism and dedication of both during their time at the University of Barcelona. 

On April 3, the vice-rectorʼs office for Economy will disappear and Dr Oriol Escardíbul will be the new manager of the University of Barcelona. Miquel Lizandra will be the new director of Human Resources in the institution.
Sánchez Montero thanked the collaboration of all members of the UB Governing Council as well as the staffʼs, to whom he wished good luck.

May 10, elections to renovate the members of the Senate

The Governing Council also approved of the call for elections for Senate members: academic staff (PDI), administration and services staff (PAS) and students. Elections will take place on May 10.

According to the UB Statute, the renewal of these collectives is done every four years (except for the students, who undergo the renewal every two years). People have to choose up to 153 members to represent the academic staff, 30 PAS representatives and 90 students. Vice-rectors and deans are members of the Senate.

Regarding the electoral districts, there is one for each center and group regarding academic staff and students. Regarding the administration and service staff, there is only one electoral district.

Second anniversary of the tragedy in Freginals

At the beginning of the Governing Council, Rector Elias remembered the thirteen students who died in the tragic bus accident that took place on March 20, 2016 in Freginals.