What? The Mage's Guild is an imperial guild. They have the same politics wherever they are. Be it Morrowind, Cyrodiil, High Rock, Skyrim, whatever.
Apperently not. The imperial city was the Centre of Law, Commerce, and Education, and that was where the Archane University was.
Edit: There are rumors that Archmage Traven is abusing his position as Head of the Mages guild.
That was nowhere near enough. Apart from the fact that there was only one corrupt leader in the whole game (Cheydinal Mages Guild), these guys were just lowly members doing what was best for them. I mean, Morrowind had far worse things than this, and even that was lacking in the corruption department.
I meant the Fighters Guild, and Cheydinhal guild was full of thugs, and Leyawin guild trashed a bar because they weren't getting paid.
Again, that was nowhere near enough. And, it wasn't bribery, it was a method to make the Mage's complain, and get more guards at the university.
You win this one. I agree.