Contrary to the managerial perspective that characterizes the university and its production as a profit-generating enterprise, we propose to protect the exceptional and asymmetric autonomy that, historically, has characterized the university. Traditionally, universities have allowed to be determined by the legality that governs the processes of knowledge production. Where the social, political or economic usefulness does not count as an operator which determines its outcome. Recognizing the specificity of knowledge production is a fundamental analytical requirement for its proper management. The guiding question for research policies in universities is not how to maximize the usefulness of knowledge, but how to ensure the autonomy of its production processes.