The University Council (Consu) of Unicamp, the University's highest deliberative body, approved in its first meeting of 2018, held this Tuesday (3), the budget for 2017. According to data presented by the Central Administration, the budget deficit of the institution in the year was R$209 million, below what was projected in the second budget review carried out in September last year (R$290 million), but still classified as “worrying” by rector Marcelo Knobel. “We continue working to achieve budget balance, but we are still far from reaching this goal”, considered the director.
According to Knobel, the fact that the 2017 deficit fell short of forecasts does not mean that Unicamp's budget situation is comfortable. “On the contrary, expenses continue to be greater than revenues, which requires a lot of attention on our part. We will continue the effort to balance the University’s accounts”, assured the rector.
Since taking over the management of Unicamp, in April 2017, the current Central Administration has implemented several expense containment measures with a view to reducing the budget deficit, caused mainly by the economic crisis in Brazil and the consequent drop in the collection of Tax on Circulation of Vehicles. Goods and Services (ICMS), the University's main source of revenue. “We adopted austere initiatives, but they proved to be important in preventing Unicamp’s financial situation from becoming even more serious”, pondered Knobel.
In the same session, the Consu approved the change of name from the Pro-Rector of Extension and Community Affairs to the Pro-Rector of Extension and Culture. The body's head, professor Fernando Hashimoto, classified the counselors' decision as “emblematic” for Unicamp, which has increasingly valued activities related to culture.
