Committee work

A very vital part of the work of the student representatives is that we are represented in various commissions and committees. We do not just sit and listen, but we stand up for you. Some of our ideas are also put into practice. How does it all work? Read it here!

Faculty 1 comprises the subjects Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Biology and Chemistry and thus the student councils I/1, I/2 and I/3. Each faculty has a faculty council which represents the highest decision-making body at this level (i.e. below university-wide committees such as the Senate). This text deals with subcommittees of the faculty council, which I would simply like to call “committees“ here. We students have one or more seats with speaking and voting rights in all these committees, just like in the faculty council. While our representatives in the faculty council are appointed through yearly general elections, these representatives propose the student representatives of the subcommittees to the faculty council which elects them. As has already been emphasized here and will be discussed in more detail later, every student of our student body can run for the positions to which we are entitled.

Now, of course, not only students sit on all the committees, but also some professors and scientific and non-scientific staff. Some committees have equal representation, i.e. each of the four groups may send the same number of representatives. Such committees then usually have only an advisory function, not a decision-making function. Here, however, the important preparatory work is done, since the really important committees often no longer discuss the details extensively. In all other committees the professors hold the absolute majority [#Profs=#(all others)+1]. The Quality Improvement Commission, where tuition fee substitutes are distributed, is, however, an exception, since the students must have an absolute majority. Also in the other committees, the influence that we as students can have on the work of these committees and thus, for example, on the organisation of the studies, should not be underestimated.

Participation in committees of academic self-administration does not mean that you have to become a superactive member of the student council. It would of course be a good thing if the people who sit on the committees also knew a little bit about what was going on around them, and the best way for students to get to know that is at the student council meetings. On the other hand, the people who regularly attend the student council meetings also have a great interest in being up to date with the current status of the individual committees. In addition, you should consult with representatives who have to follow up your work.