Work of the University Council
Reporting duty of the University Council – expense allowances
In accordance with § 21 para. 6 sentence 6 of the Higher Education Act (HG), the University Council is obliged to disclose its total expense allowances. In 2011, the members of the University Council received total expense allowances amounting to EUR 26,070,00.
The following paragraph is only available in german, we are working on it.
November 2011
Gespräche und Meinungsaustausch des Hochschulrates mit Akteuren in der Universität
Am 3. November 2011 stellte Frau Donhauser die Arbeit des Hochschulrates auf der Personalversammlung der wissenschaftlichen Mitarbeiter/innen der Ruhr-Universität vor.
Am 19. November 2011 trafen sich die Mitglieder des Kuratoriums der Stiftung der Ruhr-Universität und des Hochschulrats zu einem Austausch, der sowohl dem gegenseitigen Kennenlernen als auch der Diskussion der Entwicklung der Stiftung in den letzten Jahren diente.
Sitzung des Hochschulrates am 19. November 2011
Die wesentlichen Punkte der letzten Sitzung des Hochschulrates im laufenden Jahr waren die Präsentation der Wirtschaftsberichte der Ruhr-Universität für das 2. und 3. Quartal 2011, die Fortschritte bei der Campussanierung, die aktuellen Zulassungszahlen, das Berufungsgeschehen der letzten Jahre und eine erste Diskussion des Rektoratsentwurfs der mit dem Ministerium abzuschließenden Ziel-und Leistungsvereinbarungen.
Der Hochschulrat nahm die Quartalsberichte zur Kenntnis und stellte hinsichtlich der Campussanierung bedauernd fest, dass die ursprüngliche Zeitplanung bei vielen Maßnahmen nicht mehr eingehalten werden könne, wobei die Universität selbst nur geringen Einfluss auf den Fortgang der Baumaßnahmen und die Kostenentwicklung habe. Er lobte ausdrücklich das gute Funktionieren der Steuerungsmechanismen bei der Zulassung, das sich im Erreichen der Zielzahlen des Hochschulpaktes I und der hohen Auslastung zeige. Auch würdigte der Hochschulrat, dass die RUB in den letzten vier Jahren etwa drei Viertel aller Berufungsverhandlungen positiv gestalten konnte. Der Hochschulrat bedauerte den vom Ministerium veranlassten zeitlichen Ablauf der Verhandlungen über eine neue Ziel- und Leistungsvereinbarung, der eine ordnungsgemäße Beratung des Entwurfs der ZLV durch die Gremien der RUB sehr erschwere. Zum Inhaltlichen unterstützte er die Haltung des Rektorats in zwei streitigen Punkten gegenüber dem Ministerium und betonte im Zusammenhang mit dem Kriterium Steigerung der Drittmittel die Bedeutung einer auskömmlichen Grundausstattung der RUB. Dem vorgelegten Entwurf könne der Hochschulrat mit einigen Ergänzungen und vorbehaltlich möglicher Änderungsvorschläge des Senates grundsätzlich zustimmen.
Hochschulpolitische Aktivitäten
Der Vorsitzende des Hochschulrates Herr Schlegel beteiligte sich im Berichtszeitraum weiter intensiv am Offenen Dialogprozess des Landes mit den nordrhein-westfälischen Hochschulen. Das Ministerium hatte am 14. Juli zu einem Workshop zum Thema „Die hochschulinterne Verfassung“ und am 19. Juli zu einem Workshop „Das Verhältnis Land-Hochschulen“ eingeladen. Die Ergebnisse der Workshops sollen in die Formulierung des neuen NRW-Hochschulgesetzes einfließen.
Am 22. September führten Herr Schlegel und Herr Middelmann als Vertreter des Hochschulrates ein Gespräch mit Frau Oberbürgermeisterin Dr. Ottilie Scholz und verschiedenen Dezernenten, das klar erkennen ließ, dass die Stadt die Universität in ihren Aktivitäten im Rahmen der Exzellenz-Initiative und bei ihrem Bemühen, außeruniversitäre Forschungseinrichtungen in Bochum anzusiedeln, unterstütze.
Weiterhin nahm Herr Schlegel am 4. Treffen der Vorsitzenden der Hochschulräte der nordrhein-westfälischen Universitäten am 23. September 2011 in Münster sowie am bundesweiten Treffen der Hochschulratsvorsitzenden in Saarbrücken am 27./28. Oktober 2011 teil. Aus dem Treffen in Saarbrücken ging eine gemeinsame Erklärung hervor, die sich für eine Beibehaltung der Hochschulautonomie bei umfassender Rechenschaftslegung ausspricht.
Glückwunsch / Dank
Der Hochschulrat gratulierte Prof. Dr. Axel Schölmerich zu seiner Wahl zum Vorsitzenden des Senates der Ruhr-Universität am 27. Oktober 2011 und drückt seinen Wunsch nach einer guten Zusammenarbeit zwischen beiden Gremien aus.
Personalia
Dem Vorsitzenden des Hochschulrates der Ruhr-Universität, Jürgen Schlegel (im Bild rechts), wurde am 22. November 2011 in Düsseldorf für sein jahrzehntelanges Engagement im wissenschaftlichen Bereich das Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse des Verdienstordens der Bundesrepublik Deutschland verliehen. Nur wenige Tage zuvor erhielt Herr Schlegel zudem von der Akademie der Wissenschaften und der Literatur in Mainz die Leibniz-Medaille. (Bild: © NRW-Wissenschaftsministerium (MIWF))
July 2011
Discussions and exchange views of the University Councilwith university protagonists
In preparation for the upcoming University Councilmeeting on 29 and 30 July, Mr Schlegel held talks with the Co-chairs of the Council of Deans (26.5.), with the dean of the PSE (15.7.), with Prof. Havenith (18.7.) in her capacity as coordinator of the Ruhr Universität’s application in the second funding line of the Excellence Initiative as well as with the staff councils of the RUB (18.7.).
Higher education policy activities
Mr Schlegel took part in the University Councilmeeting in Jena and Berlin and two events in Düsseldorf in the context of the dialogue process of the ministry with the North Rhine-Westphalian universities.
Meeting of the University Councilon 29 and 30 July 2011
The third meeting of the University Councilin the current year focused on the discussion of the development of the PSE, the progress of the Ruhr Universität’s applications in all three funding lines of the Excellence Initiative, the university’s Career Track programme for outstanding young academics, and the information on the preparation of the university’s opening balance. The University Councilparticularly commended the achievements made in establishing the PSE and developing the Career Track programme. The PSE constitutes an important element of the Ruhr-Universität’s future strategy, and the University Councilwill follow the further development of the school closely. The Career Track programme represents a well-conceived method of opening long-term career paths at the Ruhr-Universität for outstanding young scientists. The University Councilextensively discussed the individual applications of the Ruhr-Universität in the Excellence Initiative. It considers the university to be on the right path and offered to participate in the inspection by the reviewers in February 2012.
Congratulations / thanks
The University Councilcongratulates the university on the distinction of the RUBIN issue of 6 July 2010 (focus “Energy”) by the Frauenhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT and thanked the retiring Senate Chairman Prof. Michael Pohl for the trusting and fruitful cooperation between the University Counciland the Senate.
May 2011
Exchange of views with the Council of Deans
On 26 May 2011, Mr Schlegel and the Chairs of the Council of Deans, Prof. Warth and Prof. Narberhaus, exchanged views on matters affecting the entire university. The plans for the opening of the Ruhr University Research School supported by all faculties were mutually welcomed by the parties. Other topics of the exchange included the interaction of the faculties and the Professional School of Education in teacher training, and the instruments and measures for familiarising students and Early Career Researchers with the rules of good scientific practice.
Exchange of views with the Chair of the Senate
On 23 May, the Chair of the Senate and the University Councilheld a detailed discussion on current issues of the RUB.
Second meeting of the year
At its second meeting, the University Councildealt mainly with the draft of the university development plan and with financial issues. While the University Councilwelcomes the development goals formulated in the university development plan and gives its unanimous consent – subject to changes in the presentation – the University Councilviews the development of the state grant budget and the deficit economic plan for the year 2011 with great concern. The University Councilapproved the economic plan in the expectation that the state of North Rhine-Westphalia will provide adequate funding for the desired increase in student numbers and that the quality improvements made possible by the introduction of tuition fees will be maintained in the long term. In view of the as yet non-finalised level of funds to compensate tuition fees and the underfunding of the building management, the University Councilis not yet able to recognise these political parameters.
March 2011
Meeting of the University Councilin the Malakow tower
At the invitation of the Rectorate, the first meeting of the University Councilin 2011 was held in the Malakow tower. During the meeting, those present were given insights into the function and characteristics of the Malakow tower as part of its mining history as well as into the medical history collection housed there today. Mr Schlegel warmly congratulated Rector Weiler before the start of the meeting on achieving second place in the election of the Rector for the year 2011 and pointed out that Rector Weiler had thereby been among the top three contenders for the third year running. In terms of content, the University Councilconcerned itself with the conception and the major goals of the university development plan and provided a wealth of references for the weighting and presentation of each stage. In preparation for a meeting of the Chairs of the state’s University Councils with Minister Schulze, the University Counciland the Rector exchanged views on the current state policy opportunities and developments. There was agreement that the universities could use the autonomy granted to them with great circumspection to strengthen their national and international profile. They therefore saw no need for a fundamental change in the current university legislation with regard to autonomy from the state and the responsibility structure within the universities.
Prior to the first meeting of the year, the Chair conducted meetings with the students and Bochum’s Mayor Dr Scholz.
Reporting duty of the University Council – expense allowances
In accordance with § 21 para. 6 sentence 6 of the Higher Education Act (HG), the University Council is obliged to disclose its total expense allowances. In 2010, the members of the University Council received total expense allowances amounting to EUR 22,140.00.
November 2010
At the last meeting of the year, the University Council agreed to set up an institute for medical laboratory diagnostics, in which various educational and further educational measures offered by the Faculty of Medicine are to be held. In addition, the Rector reported on the final report on the Target and Performance Agreement III and on the progress of the campus redevelopment. In this context, a great deal of attention was paid to the reporting on the proposed construction of the building GD. Following the University Council meeting, the members of the University Council, the Rectorate and the Senate met with the Deans in order to exchange ideas in the recently inaugurated building ID and to have a look around the first new building constructed within the framework of the campus redevelopment.
August 2010
After the Senate confirmed the election of the Rector at the last meeting, on the proposal of the Rector and the Selection Commission, the University Council then elected Professors Wilkens, Eysel and Metzler-Nolte as Vice Rectors. The members of the University Council and Rectorate are now greatly looking forward to their (further) collaboration. In terms of content, the University Council again devoted its attention to fees and acknowledged the Rectorate’s report on the use of tuition fees with approval. In view of the pending abolition of tuition fees, the University Council spoke in favour of securing the related positive effects on the communication culture between students and teachers and the increased sense of responsibility among the students for the use of funds as well as the resulting improvements to teaching as such.
May 2010
At its meeting on 29 May 2010, on the proposal of the Selection Commission, Prof. Dr. Elmar Weiler was unanimously elected Rector of the Ruhr Universität by the University Council. The University Council thereby honoured the achievements of Rector Weiler to date as a lasting contribution to the sustainable development of the university, and looks forward to working with him in the years to come. At the same meeting, the University Council granted the approval of the Rectorate for the past financial year, thus following a recommendation of the Senate. The University Council welcomed the Dean of the Research School, Prof. Metzler-Nolte as a guest, who explained the future concept of the Research School. After Prof. Fallon, Ms Dzwonnek will also be stepping down from her office as a member of the University Council in order to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest in connection with the Excellence Initiative of the federal and state governments, the first and second funding line of which is administrated by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The University Council and the Rectorate thanked her for her past work on the University Council and look forward to her resuming her office once any conflict of interest has lapsed.
February 2010
Following the results of the last meeting, in February 2010 the University Council and the Rectorate again discussed the preparations for the next Excellence Initiative in depth. The University Council was also informed by the Rectorate on the further development of the BA / MA courses. It especially welcomes the significantly lower attrition rates in comparison to earlier degree courses and the fact that there are no administrative obstacles to the transition from bachelor to master degree. It noted with satisfaction that the RUB has ensured that also those students admitted through the clearing process can properly undertake their semester. Similarly, the University Council agreed to the budget for the year 2010 and accepted the Rectorate’s statement of accounts. On the occasion of Professor Fallon’s last session for the time being, the University Council and the Rector thanked him for his work on the University Council to date. Prof. Fallon, who has been appointed by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Science Council as a consultant within the framework of the Excellence Initiative, is stepping down from his office as a member of the University Council in order to avoid any appearance of favouritism of the Ruhr-Universität until he has completed his work as a consultant.
Reporting duty of the University Council – expense allowances
In accordance with § 21 para. 6 sentence 6 of the Higher Education Act (HG), the University Council is obliged to disclose its total expense allowances. In 2009, the members of the University Council received total expense allowances amounting to EUR 31,470.00.
November 2009
Meeting of the Chairmen of the University Counciland Rectors of the UAMR
On 11 November, the Chairmen of the University Counciland Rectors of the universities of the University Alliance Metropolis Ruhr (Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Dortmund University of Technology, University of Duisburg-Essen) convened for one of their regular meetings, held this time at the University of Duisburg-Essen.
The Chairmen of the University Councils and Rectors extensively discussed the possibilities of cooperation between the UAMR universities in the pending second Excellence Initiative of the federal and state governments. The discussion and protests surrounding the so-termed Bologna Process were also dealt with extensively: the Chairmen of the University Councils and Rectors agreed that the Bologna Process represented an important further development of studies and teaching for students and universities alike, the reversal of which would be irresponsible. The committee agreed to continue along the path already taken.
As with any reorganisation and reorientation process, there are problems in implementation here too. The Chairmen of the University Councils and Rectors have therefore agreed to set up a task force consisting of the three Vice-rectors for teaching, to resolve any implementation problems as quickly as possible by mutual agreement, and thus successfully continue the Bologna Process in Bochum, Dortmund and Duisburg-Essen.
May 2009
Meeting of the University Council
The second meeting of the year was devoted in particular to the topic of tuition fees. In advance of the meeting, the University Councildiscussed the principles of collection and use of tuition fees in an hour-long meeting with representatives of the Students’ Union, Student Council, and the Student Senate Group. Together with the Rectorate, the University Councilthen dealt with the report on the use of tuition fees for the summer semester 2008 and the winter semester 2008/2009. Taking account of the conversation with the representatives of the student body, in its assessment of the report the University Councilparticularly welcomed the report’s depth of detail, its qualitative assessment and the participation of representatives from the student body in deciding on the use of funds.
May 2009
Exchange of views with the Council of Deans
On 12 May 2009, the Chairman met with the speakers of the Council of Deans, the Deans Mr Meier and Mr Bogumil, to exchange views. In the hour-long conversation, they discussed, among other things, the role and function of the Council of Deans - especially its advisory role for the University Council– and other university bodies within the university management structure. The handling and use of tuition fees at the Ruhr-Universität was discussed in detail. In this context, those present also dealt thoroughly with the reporting requirements and the participation of the student bodies. Further subjects of discussion also included the principles of performance-oriented allocation of resources, the practice of accreditation of courses and the transition of Bachelor graduates to Master programmes. The speakers of the Council of Deans invited Mr. Schlegel to attend one of their forthcoming meetings. They agreed to continue the dialogue regularly at the chairmanship level.
At the invitation of the former Rector Professor Ipsen, the Chairman of the University Councilalso spoke on 12 May 2009 to the RUB’s union of emeritus professors (SEE) about the new University Councils at universities in Germany. Here, the provisions of North Rhine-Westphalia were naturally in the foreground. In the lively debate that followed, the relationship of the University Councilto the other central bodies and to all students and members of the university, the scope of its decisions and its function of partially replacing the national supervision of the autonomous university were discussed in particular.
February 2009
Meeting of the University Council
The rooms of the “Situation Kunst – for Max Imdahl” provided the framework for the first meeting of 2009. The members of the University Councilwere deeply impressed by the ensemble of buildings and the collection which links contemporary art with Asian and African art treasures, and which is unique among German universities. The main subject of the meeting was the research focus of the medical faculty, especially its intra-and extra-university cooperation and cooperation potential, the health care concepts in the competition between the hospitals brought together as the “Ruhr-Universität Hospital” with other hospitals and university hospitals, and the presentation of the “Ruhr-Universität Hospital” to politics and society. On this subject, the University Councilwelcomed the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Gert Muhr, as a guest.
January 2009
Exchange of ideas with the University Councilof the Bochum University of Applied Sciences
In January 2009, the Chairman of the University Councilof the Ruhr-Universität met his counterpart from Bochum University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Dr Jürgen van der List, and his deputy Mr Andreas Wilming for a first exchange of opinions. The Chairmen welcomed the existing close cooperation between the universities in the areas of administration, research and teaching, which makes particularly good sense due to their close proximity. Among other things, the Chairmen discussed issues such as the “equivalence of Bachelor degrees from colleges and universities” and the “transition from Bachelor to Master degree programmes”.
January 2009
Meeting of the University Councilwith student representative
On 9 January 2009, the Chairman of the University CouncilMr Schlegel and Vice Chairwoman Ms Dzwonnek met representatives of the Students’ Union, Student Council, and the Student Senate to exchange views. In addition to getting to know each other, the nearly two-hour meeting served primarily to discuss the subjects of the quality of teaching, preparations for the double school outlet year, and tuition fees. Mr Schlegel and Ms Dzwonnek agreed with the student representatives, that when determining the use of tuition fees, the formation of non-appropriated reserves should be avoided. They pointed out that an evaluation of the use of tuition fees would not be practical until the summer semester 2009. As part of the discussion on the Excellence Initiative, they both made it clear that the University Councilfundamentally views teaching as an equally important task for the university as research. Those present agreed to continue the conversation.
Work of the University Council2008 »
