The Plenary of the Social Council of the University of Seville approved the annual accounts for 2025 with 14 votes in favour and 2 against, despite the negative result of 14.8 million euros. The body urges the institution to develop an economic-financial plan to restore balance.
The Social Council of the University of Seville green-lighted the accounts for the 2025 financial year, but not without raising all alarms. The auditor's report includes three qualifications and the outcome results in a negative adjustment of -14.8 million euros. The patrimonial situation, according to the body, is unfavourable and requires urgent measures.
A deficit that requires action
The negative unallocated treasury surplus activates Article 57.8 of the Organic Law of the University System. This means that the US is obliged to adopt corrective measures. The Social Council, in its resolution, urges the university to reduce expenses in the next budget and to develop a Financial-Economic Plan under the Budgetary Stability Law.
The Social Council expressed concern not only about the deficit but also about the unfavourable patrimonial evolution. In the plenary session, the voting was 14 votes in favour, 2 against and no abstentions. The opposing votes reflect the dissatisfaction of some members with the economic management.
“This plan is not an indiscriminate cut, but an effort to optimise public spending and seek new sources of income,” sources from the Social Council state.
The US relies on the Junta and its own funds
The University of Seville is confident that the technical assessment proposed by the Junta de Andalucía will allow for the adjustment of funding to the real demands of an entity of its complexity and size. In the meantime, the rector has launched a Office for Strategic and Institutional Fundraising with an ambitious goal: to increase its own income from the current 27% to 35% before 2031.
This increase in own income is key to reducing dependence on public funding and ensuring sustainability. The US aims to attract more funds from European projects, agreements with companies, and donations, without resorting to cuts that affect teaching or research.
Both parties, the Social Council and the rectorate team, agree that the economic plan should not compromise educational quality, research, knowledge transfer, or the university's social function. Additionally, vulnerable individuals and groups will be protected.
What does this mean for students or workers at the US?
For now, no direct cuts have been announced. The plan will focus on optimising expenses and seeking new income streams. The rector has guaranteed that allocations for scholarships, study aids, and basic services will not be touched. However, the deficit of 14.8 million necessitates a thorough review of all allocations.
The Social Council reminds that the development of a Financial-Economic Plan is the most suitable legal tool to regain stability. This plan must be presented in the coming months and will be supervised by the Junta de Andalucía.
Finally, the University and the Social Council commit to working with greater responsibility to improve efficiency in resource use, strengthen fundraising efforts, and ensure the sustainability of the institution. The next budget, that of 2026, will be the first test to see if the measures work.
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