Academic self-administration enables all members of the university to help shape Humboldt-Universit?t and represent their interests. It ensures that decisions are not made "from the top down" but are jointly supported and democratically decided by those affected. Academic self-administration includes all elected central and decentralised committees and offices of Humboldt-Universit?t, in which the main decisions on the design of teaching, studies and research as well as on internal organisation are made. The main bodies of this self-administration are the University Senate, the Academic Council and the Board of Governors at central level and Faculty and Department Councils at decentralised level. Representation on the committees is made up of four different member groups that represent the composition of the university:
- professors
- academic staff members
- Employees in technology, service and administration
- students
Central committees
The central committees serve as a platform for dialogue and decision-making in academic self-administration. Staff and students are involved in fundamental decisions that affect university life as a whole.
The University Senate's resolutions shape day-to-day events in all academic matters. Its tasks are regulated in § 5 of the Humboldt-Universit?t constitution. These include passing resolutions on the structural plan and the budget, the establishment, abolition and modification of faculties and Central Institutes, the establishment of degree programmes and other competences. The University Senate has 25 members who are elected for a period of two years.
The Academic Council is the highest body of the university. It elects the members of the Presidium on the recommendation of the Board of Governors, adopts the constitution, discusses the Presidium's annual report and more. The Academic Council has 61 members: the members of the University Senate and other representatives of the four status groups.
The Board of Governors is a body of the University and also acts on behalf of the State of Berlin within the meaning of Section 2 (4) sentence 2 BerlHG. It performs supervisory and advisory functions and is responsible, among other things, for approving the budget, adopting the structural plan and making proposals for appointments to the office of President and Vice-President of Humboldt-Universit?t. The Board of Governors is made up of seven voting representatives from politics, society and business; it also includes the member of the Berlin Senate responsible for science and higher education and the President of Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin. The term of office of its elected members is four or two years.
Commissions of the University Senate
The commissions of the Academic Senate fulfil advisory and preparatory functions by supporting both the University Senate and the Presidium in decision-making. The following permanent commissions have been established at HU Berlin in accordance with Section 6 (1) of the Constitution:
- Development Planning Commission (EPK)
- Commission for Research and Academic Careers (KFK) (legally: Commission for Research and Early-Career Researchers)
- Commission for Teaching and Studies (LSK)
- Commission for Budget Issues (HHK)
- Location Development Commission (StEK)
- Barrier-free University Commission (KBF)
- Media Commission (MK)
- Commission for the Promotion of Equal Opportunities for Women (KFF)
- Commission for a Family-Friendly University (KFH)
- Sustainable University Commission (KNU)
Staff Councils
The Humboldt-Universit?t Staff Councils represent the interests of staff and students vis-à-vis the university management and are involved in staff-related decisions.
The General Staff Council is responsible for matters concerning both employees under TV-L HU and student assistants under TV-Stud III, but not for individual personnel matters. For these, please contact the University Staff Council (PR HSB) or the Student Workers' Council (PRstudB).
The Staff Council represents the interests of employees primarily through its participation rights in individual personnel matters or official matters. This takes place through resolutions of the Staff Council in individual cases or the conclusion of service agreements. Other important tasks include receiving suggestions and complaints from staff members and working towards their resolution. The members of the Staff Council are also actively involved in university committees and working groups.
Authorised representative
The Humboldt-Universit?t officers ensure that legally sensitive and strategically important issues such as equal opportunities, data protection and diversity are systematically implemented. They act in a professional, advisory and monitoring capacity.
The Humboldt-Universit?t's Complaints Officer under the General Equal Opportunities Act (AGG) serves as a point of contact for employees who have experienced discrimination.
Further information on the Complaints Officer under the General Equal Opportunities Act (AGG)
The Representative Office for Severely Disabled Persons is the elected representative body for severely disabled and equivalent employees at Humboldt-Universit?t.
Further information on the Representative Office for Severely Disabled Persons