Academic self-administration promotes academic freedom

The academic self-administration of universities and research institutions is a cornerstone of . It gives them the right to self-proposed and independent administration and to autonomy in academic affairs. Its objective is that the institutions can act in a manner that is free from political or commercial influences. It should therefore ensure the institutions’ autonomy and capacity for innovation in and .

What does academic self-administration include?

The self-administration of universities and research institutions can be subdivided into three categories:

• Organisation
• Staff
• Finance

The first category relates to internal structures, committees and statutes. The individual institutions determine these themselves. In the case of staff, a university or higher education institution has the inherent right to appoint and employ professors, academic and administrative staff. The academic institutions also independently manage their financial resources.

How is self-administration organised at a university?

Academic self-administration at a university or higher education institution can include elected committees, panels and commissions. These can relate to the entire university domain or just an individual faculty. Such committees can include:

• Senate
• Rectorate
• Faculty council

These bodies are determined by means of elections. All members of the respective institutions can participate in these elections. In addition to professors, this includes academic and administrative staff as well as the students.