Committee Review
StuRa? StuKo? FSR? Abbreviations everywhere and no explanations? In our guide to student bodies, you’ll get an overview of what each abbreviation stands for and what roles these bodies play within TU’s academic self-governance. If you’d like to learn more, feel free to stop by our office (ZEU/221) anytime!
I have questions about my studies. >>FSR
I have questions about BAföG and legal matters. >>StuRa
There were discrepancies during an exam. >>FSR and Exam Committee
I have suggestions for improvement and issues regarding my degree program. >>StuGaKos/Academic Commission
I’d like to get funding for a student event. >>FSR/StuRa
I’d like to get involved in higher education policy and improving teaching. >>FSR
Type: Student-led/University-wide
Members: 58
Meeting frequency: every two weeks, on Thursdays
Responsibilities: Providing the semester ticket; promoting student culture and sports; acting as an intermediary between the university, the ministry, and students on academic matters
Special features: BAföG counseling ; legal counseling; material lending; support for students in financial hardship; international student ID card
https://www.stura.tu-dresden.de/
Type: Student-run/Faculty-internal
Members: 25
Meeting schedule: weekly , Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., ZEU/250
Responsibilities: Representing student interests within the faculty; organizing the first-semester orientation and informational events; supporting student projects
Special features: Forum https://bombentrichter.de/
Website https://tu-dresden.de/ing/maschinenwesen/fsr
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fsr.mw.dd/?hl=de
Type: Student-led/Faculty-internal
Members: 1 student + 1 professor per degree program
Meeting frequency: one-on-one meetings
Responsibilities: Serve as a point of contact for students regarding feedback and suggestions for improvement regarding their own degree program
Type: university-wide/within the faculty
Members: Professors/facultystaff /4 students
Frequency of meetings: monthly
Responsibilities: Highest faculty-level body; adoption of academic and examination regulations; establishment and discontinuation of degree programs; appointment of members to subordinate committees
Special features: The chair is the dean: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Beckmann
Type: university-wide/within a faculty
Members: Professors/students
Meeting frequency: as needed (approx. 4 times per year)
Responsibilities: Preparing draft resolutions regarding individual degree programs for the Faculty Board (e.g., drafting study regulations); making decisions on catalog modules
Specialfeatures: one program committee per degree program
Type: university-wide/within the faculty
Members: Professors/faculty staff/2 students
Meeting frequency: as needed
Responsibilities: Oversight body for compliance with examination regulations; processing requests for annulment; reviewing withdrawals from the university
Special notes: In the event of disruptions or irregularities during an exam, contact the FSR first!
Type: university-wide
Members: Professors/universitystaff/members from academia and research
Frequency of meetings: monthly
Responsibilities: Formulating the principles of the university budget; sole authority to nominate candidates for the position of Rector
Specialfeatures: Second-highest university governing body
Type: university-wide
Members: Professors/university staff/4 students
Meeting frequency: monthly
Responsibilities: Issuing a non-binding opinion on the Rector’s decisions
Special features: Highest governing body with student representation / The Extended Senate (Senate + 21 elected members) elects the Rector
Type: university-wide
Members: Rector/Vice Presidents/Chancellor
Frequency of meetings: monthly
Responsibilities: Management of the university; decisions regarding the establishment, discontinuation, or modification of degree programs
Special features: Highest university governing body
All members of the TUD are involved in self-governance. To this end, they are divided into so-called member groups:
faculty members (mostly professors), academic staff, other staff, and students.
Each of these member groups elects only its own representatives to the various committees. Although any member may attend public meetings, in most cases only elected representatives have the right to speak and submit motions. This means that students can only exert influence in university committees through their student representatives! The situation is different when it comes to student self-governance.
Every member of the student body may submit motions and express their opinion. The influence of the various groups on university policy varies in strength. For example, in most committees, professors carry more weight than staff members or students (combined). To streamline their work (and, in particular, to shorten meeting times), many of these committees establish commissions and subcommittees.
Some of these are also required by law (such as the Academic Affairs Committee). In addition to the standing committees, there are others that are convened for specific tasks, such as the appointment committees, which deliberate on the appointment of professors and lecturers.