University Management
The University Management is responsible for steering the strategic development of the German Sport University Cologne and brings together key bodies to ensure transparent and forward-looking university governance.
Transparent. Responsible. Forward-looking
The University Management of the German Sport University Cologne bears overall responsibility for the strategic development and organisation of the university. It brings together central decision-making and supervisory bodies and ensures a balanced interplay between academic, administrative and higher education policy functions.
As the cornerstones of the university’s leadership, the Rectorate, the University Council and the Senate work closely together. Whilst the Rectorate is responsible for day-to-day management and represents the university externally, the University Council oversees the strategic direction and performs an advisory and supervisory role. The Senate incorporates the perspectives of the university community into key decision-making processes.
Together, these bodies ensure the responsible, transparent and forward-looking governance of the German Sport University Cologne.
The Rectorate
Our Rectorate leads and represents the University in all strategic, academic and administrative matters. Together with our research institutes, central services and committees, it develops the University’s strategic guidelines – with a clear aim: to shape research, teaching and knowledge transfer in a forward-looking manner.
The Rectorate comprises the Rector as Chair, four Vice-Rectors (Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Teaching and Continuing Education / Vice-Rector for Research and Knowledge Transfer / Vice-Rector for Resources and Sustainable Development / Vice-Rector for Communication and Digital Transformation) and the Chancellor.
The Senate
The Senate is the central representative body of the German Sport University Cologne. As the democratically legitimised representative body of all stakeholder groups, it plays an active role in shaping the university’s strategic and academic development and is committed to transparent, collectively driven decision-making processes.
The Senate comprises 18 elected members with voting rights: nine academic staff members, and three representatives each from the academic staff, technical and administrative staff, and students. The body is supplemented by non-voting members, including members of the Rectorate, the Equal Opportunities Officer, the AStA Chair, the chairs of the staff councils and the representative for people with severe disabilities.
The University Council
The University Council is a key supervisory and advisory body at the German Sport University Cologne. It guides the university’s strategic development, advises the Rector’s Office on fundamental matters and, through its supervisory role, ensures that the university is managed in a responsible and forward-looking manner.
The University Council comprises eight members: five from outside the university and three from within it. They are appointed by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. Their term of office is five years.
