The Senate

The term of office for the elected members of the Senate runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029. At the constituent meeting of the current Senate, Prof. Wolfgang Potthast was elected Chair for a three-year term. In total, the Senate of the German Sport University Cologne has 18 elected members with voting rights. Of these, nine are drawn from the group of university lecturers, and three each from the groups of academic staff, technical and administrative staff, and students. 

In accordance with Section 22(2) of the Higher Education Act (HG), the Senate also includes the following non-voting members: the members of the Rectorate, the representative for people with severe disabilities, the chairs of the staff councils, the chair of the General Students’ Committee and the Equal Opportunities Officer of the German Sport University Cologne. 

The Senate also establishes numerous committees and working groups. Meetings are generally open to the public.

The Chair and the members of the Senate, as representatives of the various groups, as well as the Senate Secretariat, are available to respond to enquiries addressed to the Senate and to receive suggestions regarding the Senate’s work.

In accordance with Section 22 of the Higher Education Act (HG), the Senate is responsible for the matters listed below:

• the participation of its members in the University Electoral Assembly in the election and removal from office of members of the Rectorate;
• issuing a statement on the Rectorate’s annual report;
• the adoption and amendment of the University’s Constitution, framework regulations and regulations, unless otherwise provided for in this Act;
• the approval of planning principles within the meaning of Section 16(1a), first sentence;
• recommendations and statements

1. on the draft university development plan pursuant to Section 16(1a);
2. on the university contract pursuant to Section 6(3);
3. on the evaluation reports pursuant to Section 7(2) and (3);
4. on the financial plan;
5. on the principles governing the allocation of posts and funds to the faculties, central academic institutions, central administrative units and medical facilities;
6. on matters relating to research, the arts, teaching and student studies which affect the entire university or central institutions, or which are of fundamental importance.

• The Constitution may provide that the Senate may, within the framework of the Framework Code for Good Employment Conditions pursuant to Section 34a, adopt principles for good employment conditions for the university’s staff; line managers and department heads must take these principles into account in their decisions relating to staff. The Basic Regulations shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast by the body. The Basic Regulations may also provide that a proposal for the appointment to a professorship within the meaning of Section 38(3) requires the approval of the Senate.