UMSNH Rector accuses Michoacán government of financial pressure

Yarabí Ávila González, rector of the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo (UMSNH), has accused the Government of Michoacán and other external entities of practicing “financial asphyxiation” against the institution. She claims these pressures are intended to create instability ahead of the university’s upcoming democratic rector selection process.

Ávila reported that the university is being forced to cover approximately 189 million pesos in short-term liabilities stemming from previous administrations. These include 69 million pesos for union aid, 25 million pesos for owed food supplies spanning 20 years, 40 million pesos for a labor lawsuit settlement, and 55 million pesos for various other concepts. Additionally, the university faces roughly 120 million pesos in water utility costs for accounts located outside the campus.

The rector noted that while the university receives a full budget, 91 percent is allocated to salaries, leaving only 9 percent for operational costs. She warned that these sudden, massive payment demands—which were not planned for the current fiscal cycle—will force a reduction in resources for high schools, faculties, research institutes, and academic activities.