Co-operation between lecturers and students in committee work

Prof Dr Jürgen Bitzer

Legal framework

Basic Law guarantees the freedom of research and teaching Professors therefore have a majority in the committees Exception: study commissions, here a blocking minority of students

Interests of professors

• Smooth running of the degree programme
• Limitation of the administrative burden
• Ensuring the quality of education
• Securing a pool of young academics
• Limiting the teaching workload
• Limiting the examination workload
• Safeguarding the university's own decision-making authority

The unpleasant truth

• The four letters (Prof)
  • among themselves
  • and the administration
    • Helpful to have someone at the same hierarchical level on your side to drive projects forward
• Great inertia of institutions at the university
• Facts often don't get through even at the university
• Numbers very often help
• The more Schools are affected, the longer it takes to implement changes
• University politics often prevents sensible solutions
  • It is often important which political group you belong to. Party cadres are elected to the top
• Continuity of student representation is limited by the duration of study
  • Document things so that nothing is lost through generational change

Promising strategies for constructive cooperation

• Communication, communication, communication
  • It is best to talk to everyone before the committees
• Check whether the issue is also in the interests of the professors
• Find allies among the professors and involve them in the matter at an early stage, e.g. heads of degree programmes, professors involved in teaching with "standing" (professor with a leadership role in the staff)
• Escalation does not usually lead to the desired solution
  • Reserve escalation levels

Keep an eye on your own strengths and resources

• Prioritisation
• If necessary, do not fill committees if there are not enough members, e.g. admissions committees
  • Nobody can force you to fill committees
• Avoid fragmentation of the student representatives as far as possible
  • One large student body is better than many small ones
• Clearly define your own tasks/interests
• Mobilisation of students to participate
  • Mobilisation if I have an action, mobilisation of non-student representatives too
• Don't lose sight of your own study goals
  • Personal advice, studies are only temporary, university is just a bubble, commitment thanks to no one.

Case study: Changing the general Bachelor's programme at the University of Oldenburg

• Problem: Insufficient choice in the area of specialisation (30 CP) for WiRe students
• Initial situation:
  • The area of specialisation is part of all Bachelor's degree programmes at the University of Oldenburg and is therefore anchored in the university's General BPO.
  • Approval of all committees in the FK necessary
  • Approval of all possible responsible persons required
• Complaint by students of the Sustainability Economics degree programme to the person responsible for the degree programme
• Students contact the student body
• Student body and programme director sit down together

Changes are postponed in the FüSK

• The FüSK sets up a working group to develop an adapted draft, student body and programme director are members
• Many discussions are held with those responsible
• New proposal is submitted
• Students of our FK start an email campaign. Within a short time, the VP-L receives over 400 emails
• Renewed explanation of the legal situation with the VP-L
• Escalation by professors of the FK
• The dean discusses the issue in the deans' meeting
• Resolution is adopted by the press
• Duration of the entire process: 3 years

Discussion

• How can we decide what we prioritise when filling the committees?
  • It is important to fill the committees that deal with students' money and examinations. Are decisions made that affect your student life? No, then don't send anyone there.
• What types of professors sit on committees
  • The workload for professors is low. Therefore often people who want to keep work at bay. Professors who want to have influence over money. Professors who are sent by the School/Department to fill vacancies.
• How committees are filled at the University of Oldenburg
  • Representatives determine the members of their group. Students, professors and indirect representatives. The Higher Education Framework Act determines the composition.
• What ways are there to improve the relationship with the dean?
  • Firstly, meet for a chat. Address issues and sound out the position. Establish an employment relationship.