Committees and Representations
§ 6 Abs. 1 SächsHSG
Academic self-administration
The universities have the right of self-administration within the framework of the law. Unless otherwise stipulated in this Act, they are subject to the legal supervision of the Ministry of State in the performance of their self-administration tasks.
Academic self-governance
Academic self-administration means that the university organizes itself and its members. Important decisions on research, teaching and studies are made in the institution's central and decentralized committees.
Various interest groups, as well as a range of representatives and contact persons, address the relevant issues within their areas of responsibility as part of their official duties. They support the employees concerned and advocate on their behalf.
To take on a role of responsibility within committees or in official positions, one stands for election or expresses an interest in being nominated or appointed through the appropriate channels.
Elections
The Senate has 17 voting members
The Senate is the university’s highest decision-making body and a self-governing body. The voting members are elected from within their respective member groups.
- 9 representatives from the group of university lecturers
- 4 representatives from the staff group
- 4 representatives from the student group
The Extended Senate has 37 voting members
The Extended Senate is responsible for the election and dismissal of the Rector, as well as for passing resolutions on the University Constitution and amendments thereto. The voting members are elected within their respective member groups.
17 voting members of the Senate + 20 further elected representatives:
- 10 representatives from the group of university lecturers
- 5 representatives from the staff group
- 5 representatives from the student group
The university management, the deans and the equality officer are ex officio members of the Senate.
The Equality Officer works within their area of responsibility to promote equality between women and men, to facilitate the reconciliation of family and care responsibilities with professional life, and to ensure equal opportunities for the members and staff of the university. He or she submits proposals and comments on all matters relating to equality, particularly in appointment procedures and when recruiting academic and artistic staff. He or she is entitled to inspect application documents and to attend meetings of the appointment and selection committees with the right to speak and make motions.
The university’s Equal Opportunities Officer and at least one deputy are elected by the Faculty Equal Opportunities Officers.
The Faculty Council is responsible for all matters of fundamental importance to the Faculty in accordance with Section 93 of the Saxon Higher Education Act.
The Rectorate, in consultation with the Senate, determines the number of members of the Faculty Council in accordance with the size of the respective Faculty. These include:
- representatives from the group of university lecturers
- representatives from the staff
- representatives from the student body
The Equality Officer works within their area of responsibility to promote equality between women and men, to facilitate the reconciliation of family and care responsibilities with professional life, and to ensure equal opportunities for the members and staff of the university. He or she submits proposals and comments on all matters relating to equality, particularly in appointment procedures and when recruiting academic and artistic staff. He or she is entitled to inspect application documents and to participate in meetings of appointment and selection committees with the right to speak and make motions.
The Faculty Equality Officer and at least one deputy are elected by the members of the Faculty. The Faculty Equality Officers elect the University Equality Officer and at least one deputy.
The Officer for Students with Disabilities or Chronic Illnesses advises the university and works to ensure that special needs are taken into account, particularly in relation to the organisation of study conditions, academic guidance, and matters concerning the mitigation of disadvantages and accessibility.
They and at least one deputy are elected by the Senate.
Elections at HTWD
All information regarding the elections at HTWD can be found in the members’ area of the website.
Naming and orders
In accordance with Section 91 of the Saxon Higher Education Act (SächsHSG), the University Council makes recommendations on the development of the university’s profile and the enhancement of its performance and competitiveness.
The University Council of the HTWD consists of seven members. Two members of the University Council are members or affiliates of the university. The members must be figures from the fields of academia, culture, business or professional practice who are familiar with higher education. The Senate appoints fewer than half of the number of members specified in the Constitution, in particular all members or affiliates of the university. The student members of the Senate may submit a proposal for appointment to the Senate. The State Ministry appoints the remaining members.
The members of the University Council are independent in their work on the University Council and are not bound by instructions.
The Election Committee decides on the arrangements for the preparation and conduct of the election. The Election Committee consists of the Returning Officer as chair and four other members from the member groups, as well as one substitute member from each group.
The members and substitute members are appointed by the Rector on the recommendation of the Returning Officer.
The Senate and the Rectorate may appoint committees or representatives to prepare decisions.
Senate committees
- Teaching and Studies
- Research
Rectorate committees
- Programme Development
- Research
- Communication and Strategy
- Digitalisation
- International
- Sustainability
- Infrastructure and Climate Action
The Faculty Council appoints academic committees to advise the Dean on the organisation of teaching and academic activities.
The Examination Board is appointed by the Faculty Council and is responsible, amongst other things, for ensuring compliance with the examination regulations of the degree programmes, appointing examiners and assessors, recognising previously completed periods of study, academic achievements and examination results, and ruling on appeals.
It consists of:
- representatives from the group of university lecturers
- representatives from the staff
- representatives from the student body
