Critics See Cronyism Holding Back Spain's Universities

Spain's government has set up a special committee to consider reforms for Spanish universities, Times Higher Education reported. In part, the move was prompted by Spain's economic woes, which have already led to deep budget cuts, and are likely to lead to more. But the committee is also conducting its review at a time of increasing criticism about non-economic problems facing the universities. "[M]any critics claim that the real drag on Spanish university quality is the culture of politicization and cronyism," the article says. "Critics claim that the power structures in many universities are dominated by nepotistic networks that tolerate and even promote all manner of non-meritocratic and unethical practices among members, while coming down hard on those who dare speak out against them."