Position of CRASP Presidium

Position of the Presidium of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools (CRASP) of October 7th, 2022 on the economic situation of Polish HEIs

In response to the rapidly deteriorating economic situation of Polish HEIs, the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland issues a dramatic appeal to the Authorities of the Republic of Poland to take decisive steps, as soon as possible, to protect the national system of higher education and science from the threatening financial and staffing crisis. 

The members of the Presidium of the CRASP feel obliged to stress that the rapidly rising inflation and a sharp increase in the costs of operation of Polish HEIs, connected, inter alia, with drastic increases in the prices of electricity, often reaching several hundred per cent, with a few per cent increase in subsidies, will inevitably shake the financial situation of HEIs and research institutions, exposing them not only to the loss of financial liquidity, but also forcing them to radically limit their operation and investment in the development of research infrastructure. All the consequences of these phenomena are difficult to be foreseen, and they may also prove to be potentially irreversible.

Under the current circumstances, it must also be noted that the stipulation in the Act of 20 July 2018. - Law on Higher Education and Science prohibiting the raising of tuition fees during the educational cycle, in the context of the highest inflation in 25 years, poses an additional threat to the economic stability of the functioning of HEIs, especially non-public HEIs. At the same time, we fully understand the financial problems of students of HEIs, who are facing increased costs of studying and living, especially in large academic centres. Therefore, the system of material aid for students also requires special solutions.

Keeping the increase in the level of subsidies at the current level in the coming year will inevitably lead to the deepening of the difficult financial situation of the HEIs, while at the same time contributing to a further dramatic widening of the wage gap between the prevailing salaries in HEIs and in other sectors of the economy, and the loss of the most valuable employees of HEIs.

 The decision to grant additional funding to Polish HEIs to increase gross staff salaries by 4.4% appears grossly inadequate in relation to the current inflation rate of 17.2%, as well as to the demands long made by representatives of the Polish academic and scientific community.

The most recent regulation regarding the minimum monthly basic salaries for professors of public HEIs, in relation to which both the salaries of other employees and scholarships awarded to doctoral students are determined, took place in 2018. Clearly, this is one of the reasons why the domestic HEIs have been losing experienced and highly qualified staff for some time now. The increase in the minimum wage announced for 2023, in the absence of funds allocated to increase salaries in HEIs, can only exacerbate and accelerate this phenomenon.

We are aware of the seriousness and complexity of the current economic situation in which our country, including its entire system of higher education and science, has been put. We are aware of the need for austerity measures. However, under the circumstances, it is absolutely necessary to apply systemic, coordinated protective and supportive measures for higher education undertaken by the Central Authorities out of concern for the education of our future elites.

President of CRASP

Prof. Arkadiusz Mężyk