At the Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí (UNACHI) in Panama, the university previously spent over $2 million annually on representation expenses and additional over-base stipends (sobresueldos). Representation expenses range from $3,000 monthly for the Rector to $1,500 for Vice-Rectors, and $400 for deans and regional directors. Due to a budget crisis and recent cuts of over $34 million, the institution announced an austerity plan that involves eliminating these supplementary benefits and over-base pays. Below is Pedro González, new interim rector of Unachi.
The Autonomous University of Chiriquí (Unachi) says it is going through the worst financial crisis in its history and, in response, announced the elimination of bonuses and representation expenses assigned to its main authorities, deans and directors. According to the Unachi payroll, published on the website of the National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information (Antai), the university allocates $17,900 per month to the payment of representation expenses for 22 officials, including the rector, vice-rectors, deans, directors of regional centers and the director of Planning.
