Overview of committees with student participation

Tasks of the committee: Topics relating to the study, research and organisational activities of a department are discussed. Decisions are made on the allocation of funds and on the department's personnel proposals for the following commissions and offices: 

• Department spokesperson
• Subject-specific study commission(s)
• Subject-specific dean of studies
• Examination board
• Chair of the examination board

Why should I get involved here? This is where the big decisions about teaching, staff, and resources are made. Issues like lack of space, teaching quality, and digitalisation all end up here. You represent the interests of students to professors, mid-level faculty, and administration. You have influence over:

• Strategic decisions of the department
• Course offerings and supervision
• Allocation of funds and positions
• Cooptations and adunct professorships (Honorarprofessur)

How is the committee composed? This is laid down in the respective rules of procedure.

As a student member, do I have the right to vote? Yes

Tasks of the committee: Participation in the evaluation of teaching; developing recommendations for

• Further development of subjects and forms of study
• Use of funds earmarked for study and teaching 

Why should I get involved here? This is where decisions about your studies are made. You actively help shape the study and examination regulations. Problems arising from everyday student life (overwork, poor module coordination) can be specifically addressed and changed. You have a direct influence on:

• Structure of the respective degree programmes
• Compulsory and elective modules
• Types of examinations and workload

How is the committee composed? in addition to the Dean of Studies: a maximum of 10 members, including 4 students

As a student member, do I have the right to vote? Yes

Link to the overview of the faculty´s study commissions

Tasks of the committee: Organisation of examinations in accordance with the provisions of the examination regulations and for all other tasks not expressly assigned elsewhere by these examination regulations; example: module achievements (examination achievements, study achievements) must be able to be completed or taken within the periods specified in the examination regulations.

Why should I get involved here? Students are given a voice here, where otherwise decisions would only be made about them. They ensure that rules are applied not only formally, but also humanely. Among other things, they are involved in decisions regarding:

• Recognition of achievements
• Extensions (Fristverlängerungen)
• Hardship provisions (Härtefallregelungen)

How is the committee composed? see Examination regulations; usually: 

• 3 university lecturers
• 1 academic staff member
• 1 student 

As a student member, do I have the right to vote? No, only an advisory vote

Link to the overview of examination board chairpersons

Such a committee is only formed (and elected by the faculty council) when a professorship is to be filled in the respective department.

Tasks of the committee: Selecting the most suitable person for a professorship; assisting with the

• Determination of the requirements profile
• Review and evaluation of applications
• Participation in presentations, trial lectures, colloquia and interviews
• Compilation of the appointment list
• Ensuring transparency and fairness

Why should I get involved here? You are part of committees that determine the long-term direction of a subject in research and teaching (and thus the future of the university) through appointments. You can directly influence the quality of teaching and studies:

• Co-determination regarding future teaching staff
• Strengthening teaching in the process
• Representation of student interests

How is the committee composed?

• Dean
• Professors from the department
• 1 professor from another department or faculty
• 1 external member
• 1 academic staff member
• 2 students

As a student member, do I have the right to vote? Yes

Tasks of the committee: The Faculty Council comments on, among other things:

• Applications for affiliation of professorships at universities of applied sciences, adjunct professorships, evaluation of junior professorships, adjunct professorships (Honorarprofessuren), cooptations
• Appointment committees and proposals
• Establishment, modification and abolition of faculty institutions
• Rules of procedure
• Structure and development plans
• Study and examination regulations

Why should I get involved here? The Faculty Council is the faculty's central decision-making body. This is where decisions are made about how your faculty operates. Students have voting rights here and can help shape real majorities. Decisions made here often affect all students in the faculty in the long term. Among other things, they influence:

• Study programmes and their further development
• Appointments of professors

How is the committee composed?

• Dean
• 14 professorial members
• 3 academic members
• 5 students
• 1 doctoral candidate
• 5 other staff members

As a student member, do I have the right to vote? Yes

Link to the current composition of the Faculty Council

Tasks of the committee:

• Implementation of the equality mandate at faculty level
• Participation in personnel and appointment procedures
• Development and support of faculty-specific equality measures
• Advising faculty committees and management
• Monitoring and reporting
• Point of contact at faculty level

Why should I get involved here? You bring the student perspective to these issues, which are otherwise often viewed solely from the perspective of employees. Measures decided upon here have concrete effects (e.g. on support programmes, guidelines, awareness structures). The commission works on:

• Gender equality
• Elimination of discrimination and structural disadvantages
• Better study and working conditions for all

How is the committee composed?

• Equal Opportunities Officer of the Faculty
• 1 Equal Opportunities Officer per department
• 2 students

As a student member, do I have the right to vote? Yes

Link to the current composition of the Gender Equality Commission

There is no official faculty commission here, only a university-wide scholarship selection committee (with one student member). 

Tasks of the committee: In order to better rank the scholarships within the faculty, the Faculty Council elects one internal commission each year. There are two meetings: one in December to explain the evaluation procedure (establishment of rules) and one in January for the selection meeting.

Why should I get involved here? You bring the student perspective to these issues. By awarding scholarships, you are providing direct financial assistance to students.

How is the committee composed? Chair: Vice-Dean for Studies and Teaching, 1 professor, 1 other member, 2 student members

As a student member, do I have the right to vote? Yes