11th –14th April 2013

THE FIGURE OF THE OMBUDSMAN IN SPANISH UNIVERSITIES.

“Challenges in times of crisis” TEAM

María Enriqueta Arias

Ana Hernanz

Carmen Jiménez

Elia Cambón

Isabel Hernández

Mª Carmen González Summary

1. THE SPANISH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM. 1.1.- Regulated access routes to the Spanish university system.

2. TUITION FEES AT SPANISH UNIVERSITIES.

3. THE UNIVERSITY OMBUDSMAN IN SPANISH LAW. 313.1.- Nature of the Ombudsman` s remit. 3.2.- Strategies for disseminating the figure of the University Ombudsman. 333.3.- The Un iversit y Omb ud sman in times of cri si s. THE SPANISH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

Public Universities 50 Private Universities 27 THE SPANISH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

Before Bolonia Process Bolonia Process

Years ECTS

Professional 8-9 THIRD THIRD MASTER CYCLE CYCLE PhD ECTS 120 0 90 ECTS 5 60 ECTS

SECOND 60–12 ECTS

CYCLE ECTS

0 CLE 0 0 YY 3 C MASTER 3 ECTS

FIRST SECOND

CYCLE 40 RADUATE 22 GG

BEFORE UNIVERSITY (Bachillerato, 17‐18 years old) THE SPANISH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

Evolution of number of university students between 2007‐ 2008 and 2012‐2013 academic courses THE SPANISH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

Regulated access routes and percentage of students incorporated through each one

1 a b c 5 2+3Others 6+7 4

1. University Entrance Examination (PAU) 2. Students EU member states or other states through international agreements 3. Foreign students after homologation of the high school title (Bachillerato) 4. Students holding qualifications from technical colleges, or advanced artistic or higher phyisical education training (a, b and c) 5. Examination for persons over 25 years old 6. Accreditation of working or professional experience (over 40 years old) 7. Examination for persons over 45 years old TUITION FEES AT SPANISH UNIVERSITIES

Why this matter is now under discussion in Spain?

Students must directly contribute to finance the academic and administrative services

This contribution is legally established RD 14/2012 “Urgent measures for the rationalization of public spending”.

The University must fix the percentage of the cost that has to be assumed by the student.

The final cost depends on the public prices established by the Autonomous Community. TUITION FEES AT SPANISH UNIVERSITIES

Rates of students contributions to the Madrid financial cost of the university services. Grade and Professional Master. Public Universities: 15 –25 % First enrolment 30 –40 % Second enrolment 60 – 75 % Third enrolment Costs: 1000 – 1400 € 90 – 100 % Subsequent enrolments

Rates of students contributions to the Private Universities: financial cost of the university services. Master Degree. Costs: 7000 – 10000 € 40 –50 % First enrolment 65 –75 % Second enrolment 75 % Subsequent enrolments Note: fees increase with the Foreign no‐EU students could contribute experimental level of the course until 100 % of study. THE UNIVERSITY OMBUDSMAN IN SPANISH LAW

“The role of the Ombudsman is to ensure that the rights and freedoms of university community members are respected by the actions of university organs and services in the interest of quality and proper operatii”on”

Impartial Confidential

Autonomous Independent

Ombudsman Actions

not subject to any imperative mandate without executive power THE UNIVERSITY OMBUDSMAN IN SPANISH LAW

Orientate and provide possible lines of action Supervise claim to persons coming to procedures. seek consultati on.

Ombudsman Functions

Propose and Mediate in solving participate in interpersonal conflicts. managing changes. Nature of the Ombudsman`s remit PERFORMANCE Consultations Claims or complaints Mediation and conciliation Om budsma n duties To ensure the proper general functioning Building of the consensus university and community agreement

The implementation and consolidation of Fomenting ethical and and assuring scientific values “good in university practices” contttexts Nature of the Ombudsman`s remit

To pursue these aims Ombudsman makes use of:  Its autoritas  power of persuasion Strategies for disseminating the figure of the University Ombudsman.

PttiPresentation Publication of to the informative University of Guest leaflets on an Annual attendance the figure Report on (with voice and functions their actions Regular but no vote) of the meetings with at collegiate University student organs of the Ombudsman delegations and institution A presentation representatives of the of different institution to collectives new students at the beggginning of each academic year The University Ombudsman in times of crisis.

 An increase in the activity  An increase of students complaints mainly related with the increase of university fees (14 – 25%)

1. An increase of demanding of the services for assessing and grading the skills and knowledge acquired in the subjects in their study plans. 2. More complaints regarding assessment systems and criteria, since failing a subject entails a significant increase in the corresponding acadidemic fees. 3. A downturn in the number of credits matriculated per academic year. 4. Transfer to another university. 5. At the extreme, the abandonment of university studies. The Impact of the crisis in the university environment

 Great dissatisfaction and concern.  The need of the design of strategies to prevent the withdrawal of the students.  Enhancement of the Ombudsman figure to support and counsel students. Thank you very much for your attention!