Senatssaal

Tasks, Composition and Term of Office

tasks

In accordance with Section 35 (1) of the Thuringian Higher Education Act, the Senate has the following duties among others:

  • enacting and amending the basic statutes, taking into account and appreciating the opinion of the University Council pursuant to Section 34, paragraph 1, sentence 2, no. 3, as well as on other statutes, insofar as this law or the basic statutes of the university do not stipulate other responsibilities,
  • participation in the search committee as well as in the university assembly in the election and deselection of the President and the Head of Administration pursuant to § 36, para. 1, § 30, paras. 4 and 9, and § 32, paras. 2 and 7,
  • election and deselection of the members of the University Council pursuant to § 34, paras. 4 and 5,
  • granting consent to the appointment and removal of Vice-Presidents in accordance with § 31,
  • establishment, amendment, abolition and determination of the internal structure of self-governing units; the Senate may delegate this decision to self-governing bodies under section 40,
  • granting consent prior to the conclusion of agreements on objectives and performance pursuant to section 13(1) between the institution of higher education and the Ministry,
  • granting consent to applications pursuant to § 2, para. 2 and § 4, whereby resolutions on applications pursuant to § 2, para. 2 shall require a two-thirds majority of its members,
  • establishment, amendment and cancellation of degree programmes; the Senate may delegate this decision to self-governing bodies in accordance with § 40,
  • commenting on appointment proposals and drawing up proposals for the conferment of the academic title of "professor" in accordance with section 88(4) and the dignity of "associate professor" in accordance with section 62(6),
  • issuing guidelines on the advancement of women, drawing up equality plans and electing the Equal Opportunity Officer, the Diversity Officer and other university officers,
  • granting consent to the principles of endowment and internal distribution of funds in accordance with § 14, para. 5, sentence 2,
  • commenting on the draft of the business plan,
  • commenting on the annual accounts,
  • opinion on fee or charge regulations as well as user regulations within the meaning of § 12 ThürHGEG,
  • commenting on the annual report of the Presidium in accordance with § 29 para. 3 and
  • conferring academic honours.

composition and terms

In accordance with § 35 para. 3 ThürHG, the Senate consists of the following twelve voting members (Permanent Senate):

  • three representatives from the group of professors,
  • three representatives from the group of students,
  • three representatives from the group of academic employees,
  • three representatives from the group of employees in technology and administration.

Each member group elects a speaker from among its members.

For decisions on matters directly affecting teaching, with the exception of teaching evaluation, research, artistic development projects or the appointment of university teachers, the Senate also includes seven additional professors in accordance with § 35 Para. 4 ThürHG (Extended Senate).

The members of the Senate each have single voting rights.

The President is a member of the Senate without voting rights and chairs the Senate. The other members of the Presidium are also members of the Senate in an advisory capacity without voting rights.

With the exception of personnel decisions, the Senate meets in public.

The term of office of the members is three years, that of the students one year.

The term of office of the members of the current 9th Senate begins on 01.10.2022 and ends on 30.09.2025.

agendas, meeting documents and minutes

The meeting documents intended for the university public, such as the agendas, the meeting documents and the approved minutes, can be found in the internal service area for university members.

dates of meetings

An overview of the current dates as well as the meeting cycles of the committees can be found on our committee page.

Senate Committees

Senate Committee for Study Affairs

Eine Studentin sitzt in einem Hörsaal der Universität Erfurt

The Senate Committee for Study Affairs advises on fundamental matters relating to studies and teaching. It prepares the Senate's resolutions on framework examination regulations as well as the establishment, amendment and discontinuation of degree programs. Furthermore, it examines the examination regulations adopted by the faculties, taking into account the applicable (external and internal) requirements and agreements, the capacity feasibility of the courses on offer and the consistency of their content. The committee advises on issues relating to the quality development of studies and teaching and prepares the Senate's resolutions on quality assurance procedures and measures. 

Further information on the tasks, composition and term of office

Senate Committee for Research and Graduate Services

Gruppe von Forschern im Forschungszentrum Gotha

The Committee for Research and Graduate Services advises on fundamental matters of research and the promotion of early career researchers that go beyond a single faculty. 

Further information on the tasks, composition and term of office

Senate Library Committee

Eine Studentin in der Universitätsbibliothek der Universität Erfurt

The Library Committee advises on fundamental issues of the University Library (such as library development, media structure, subject structure) as well as on fundamental issues of user operations. 

Further information on the tasks, composition and term of office

Senate Committee for Budgetary Affairs

Ein Taschenrechner und Lernutensilien

The Committee for Budgetary Affairs advises on the annual distribution of budget funds (for the ongoing operation of university facilities, investments and the procurement of major equipment). The Budget Committee supports the preparation of the Senate's statements on principles for equipment and the distribution of funds as well as the preparation of statements on the fee schedule. 

Further information on the tasks, composition and term of office

Senate Committee for Information Technology and Digital Processes

The Senate Committee for Information Technology and Digital Processes makes recommendations on all IT matters of fundamental importance to the entire university, including, in particular, advice on issues relating to digitalization in research and teaching (especially with regard to the technical and infrastructural framework) and support and advice on the introduction and operation of information systems. 

Further information on the tasks, composition and term of office

Senate Committee for International Affairs

Internationale Studierende

The Senate Committee for International Affairs advises the Senate on fundamental international matters and those that go beyond a single faculty. It also advises on measures relating to the internationalization strategy of the University of Erfurt. It examines cooperation agreements in this regard that are concluded on behalf of the University of Erfurt. In consultation with the International Office, the Senate Committee coordinates and is responsible for the selection process for awarding exchange places and scholarships at a university-wide level. 

Further information on the tasks, composition and term of office

Chairmanship

Name
Position
E-Mail
Phone

Voting members of the Permanent Senate

Representatives from the group of university teachers

Name
Position
E-Mail
Phone

Representatives from the group of academic employees

Name
Position
E-Mail
Phone

Representatives from the technology and administration group of employees

Name
Position
E-Mail
Phone

Representatives from the student group (as of October 01, 2024)

Name
Position
E-Mail
Phone
  • Bixente Bräutigam
    student representative (Senate)
  • Theresa Madlin Gutknecht
    student representative (Senate)
  • Adrian Hartig
    student representative (Senate)

Voting members of the Extended Senate

Name
Position
E-Mail
Phone

Contact

Employee (a. o. Senate's office)
(President's Office and Staff Unit University Development)
C02 – administration building / Raum C02.01.59