Ciudad Juárez University Under Fire for Half-Million Peso Luxury Tie Purchase
Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico – The Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez (UACJ) is embroiled in controversy following revelations of a lavish expenditure on luxury accessories. An investigation has uncovered that the institution spent close to half a million pesos on 390 ties and scarves from the upscale Mexican brand Pineda Covalín, known for its high-end apparel and accessories. This significant purchase, made without an open bidding process, raises serious questions about transparency and the allocation of public funds within the university.
The Purchase: Luxury for the “Private Secretariat”
According to procurement documents, the UACJ requested 240 ties and 150 silk scarves “for the Private Secretariat.” The total cost amounted to 423,933.60 pesos, which included a subtotal of 365,460 pesos for the products and an additional 58,473.60 pesos for Value Added Tax (IVA).
The payment structure involved an initial installment equivalent to 50% of the total service cost, including IVA, with the remaining balance to be paid within 20 calendar days following the execution of acquisition contract 27-2025, dated March 5 of the previous year. This contract, however, was awarded through a direct adjudication (AA-2025-03-04-09) by the UACJ’s Committee for Acquisitions, Adjudications, Concessions, Leases, and Services, bypassing an open tender and explicitly selecting the vendor.
Budgetary Justification: “Quality of Higher Education Services”?
The budgetary justification for this extravagant purchase states that it was authorized as part of the “Linkage, Extension, and Academic Services in Upper Secondary and Higher Education” program, specifically under the category of “Quality of Higher Education Services (Coverage and Teaching).” This classification immediately sparks concern, as the expenditure on luxury accessories seems to bear little direct relation to improving the fundamental quality of education or expanding its reach.
The High Cost of Style: Details of the Luxury Items
The notification of the award to Pineda Covalín detailed the specifications for the 390 items:
- Ties: 240 silk ties, each 8 centimeters wide, with a polyester lining and a custom UACJ design. These were divided into three categories of 80 pieces each: black, blue, and red. Each tie was priced at 665 pesos, totaling 159,600 pesos for all 240 ties.
- Scarves: 150 red silk scarves, measuring 140 by 30 centimeters, each featuring the university’s logo engraved via laser/silkscreen. Each scarf cost 1,310 pesos, bringing the total for scarves to 195,500 pesos.
Beyond the garments themselves, the university also shelled out an additional 5,760 pesos for the corrugated packaging of the ties (24 pesos per box) and 3,600 pesos for the scarf packaging, both with custom UACJ designs.
Lack of Transparency: Who Are the Beneficiaries?
A crucial aspect of this investigation is the complete lack of information regarding the intended recipients of these expensive items. Neither the contract nor the follow-up procedures identify who would receive these ties and scarves. The documents only indicate that the products would be shipped via a third party from Mexico City to the Rector’s Building at the UACJ, specifically to the special events area.
Furthermore, a review of the UACJ’s social media platforms, under the leadership of Rector Daniel Alberto Constandse Cortez since 2024, reveals no record of any special event or ceremony involving the distribution of these garments. This absence of public acknowledgment further fuels suspicions about the true purpose and beneficiaries of this significant expenditure.
Expert Opinion: A Case for Scrutiny
Experts in public administration and financial oversight often highlight that direct awards, while legal in certain circumstances, inherently carry a higher risk of corruption and lack of transparency compared to open bidding processes. The selection of a luxury brand and the vague justification for the purchase, coupled with the lack of clarity on who would receive these items, are red flags that warrant immediate and thorough investigation.
The use of public university funds for such high-priced items, particularly when many educational institutions face budgetary constraints, raises serious questions about the priorities of the UACJ administration. It also undermines public trust in the responsible management of taxpayer money.
Unanswered Questions:
- Why was a direct award used for such a significant purchase, bypassing open competition?
- What is the precise justification for acquiring luxury ties and scarves under the guise of “Quality of Higher Education Services”?
- Who are the intended recipients of these 390 high-end items, and why is this information not publicly available?
- What internal controls are in place to prevent such expenditures from being made without clear accountability and public transparency?
As this investigation continues, the UACJ administration, led by Rector Daniel Alberto Constandse Cortez, faces increasing pressure to provide clear and comprehensive answers to these pressing questions. The public and the university community deserve to know how their funds are being utilized and whether these expenditures truly align with the core mission of higher education.
