CPI of universities: results and lessons
In difficult times, institutions showed clarity
Marcelo Knobel, Sandro Valentini and Vahan Agopyan
Deans, respectively, of Unicamp, Unesp and USP
The year 2019 will certainly go down in the history of São Paulo state universities as the year in which USP, Unicamp and Unesp were protagonists of a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI), established by the Legislative Assembly of the State of São Paulo (Alesp), to investigate “ possible irregularities in the management of the three institutions”.
The work of the “CPI of Universities” lasted six months in a national context of great hostility against public higher education. In addition to the funding cuts promoted by the Bolsonaro government, which mainly affected federal institutions, what was seen on social media was a true defamatory campaign fueled by fake news and prejudiced comments about daily life in Brazilian public universities — disseminated, including, by Minister of Education himself.
Despite the unfavorable scenario and all the tension inherent to the situation, the São Paulo state universities knew how to take advantage of their status as being investigated to explain to Alesp deputies, and to society in general, how three of the best universities work and what they represent for the country. of research in Latin America. The explanations were given by the current deans and 14 other people who testified to the CPI in sessions broadcast live on TV or the internet. Added to these testimonies was the exorbitant amount of data and details requested by parliamentarians, which required a dedicated task force at universities, and which in many cases was not even mentioned in the CPI's conclusions.
The CPI's final report, approved on November 5, proves the good work carried out by the three universities during the commission's investigations. Reported by deputy Valéria Bolsonaro, the text does not raise any questions other than those already raised on other occasions by the control bodies that audit the accounts and regularly monitor the activities of São Paulo state companies. In all cases, the notes are already being resolved and/or clarified within each institution.
“Despite the observation of aspects to be improved in the management of state universities in São Paulo, one cannot lose sight of the importance that these institutions have in the teaching and research scenario in São Paulo and Brazil”, states the rapporteur’s text, to then defend Alesp's support for the activities of the three universities in the areas of teaching, research and extension.
In these difficult times in which we live, clarity and transparency in dialogue with the political class and society — which is, ultimately, who finances public universities through the payment of taxes — are valuable strategies to combat the forces of delay and of obscurantism in its crusade against what is at the heart of public institutions such as the state institutions of São Paulo: critical thinking, freedom of professorship and research, the appreciation of diversity and respect for differences.
Having overcome the challenge faced by the CPI in the São Paulo Legislature, USP, Unicamp and Unesp begin the year 2020 with the task of discussing with Alesp itself, with the State government and with the population of São Paulo complex issues, such as alternatives for maintenance of the financial autonomy of the three institutions, if the Tax on Circulation of Goods and Services (ICMS), from which the resources that finance them come from, is extinguished or modified in a possible tax reform.
Just as was done during the course of the CPI, it will be necessary to communicate in a clear and transparent way that, without the training of high-level professionals, the production of knowledge and the provision of services to society by not only the São Paulo state companies, but also all public universities in the country, there is no chance for Brazil to advance in its development in a sustainable way and with more social justice.
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Folha de S. Paulo, February 11, 2020 - Trends and Debates - Opinion - Page 5
