In Mexico, as in other countries, several circumstances have converged to inform political decisions that have driven a series of reforms in higher education. The reforms are designed to improve the performance of higher education institutions and their adaptability to new economic and social scenarios, as well as foster changes to the way they operate and to the way work is organised in them, and especially the work related to teaching. This article describes the impact the reforms have had on the organisation of teaching activity in several centres belonging to the University of Guadalajara. This description has been made under the assumption that the reforms may simultaneously prompt organisational tendencies of very different natures and effects. Finally, the article outlines the manner in which the changes in teaching activities have influenced the job satisfaction of teaching staff.