Use of Tuition Fees

The senate committee Studies and Teaching agreed these measures for allocating fees on 25.01.2007 and the Executive Committee approved them on 6.02.2007. Students were involved throughout the entire fee allocation process and supported the decisions unanimously.

Promoting exceptionally gifted students

Assessments according to § 6, paragraph 1, clause 3; paragraph 2, clause 2 and 6; paragraph 3, clause 1, LHGebG result in:

• exemption in the first year for students with a secondary school grade point average of 1.0 (on the German grading scale) or scholarship-holders of an accredited foundation (see fee statutes).
• financial aid for up to 5% of the best students in the form of a "tuition fee scholarship" from the second year of studies.

Use of fees

General usage

Initially approximately 1 million euros allocated (further allocation in the summer semester). The fee allocations are each fixed for a time period varying between one year and three years. An extension is, however, dependant on a positive evaluation. Longer-term allocations are only possible with an agreement on objectives.

Improving infrastructure

• Constructional measures (e.g. computer room ventilation, etc.)
• Setting up and equipping learning areas
• Renovating and improving lecture hall infrastructure
• Improving and updating the software available in degree programmes
• Updating and expanding textbook collection and extending opening hours

Preparing for and accompanying studies

• Pre-courses in preparation for studying
• Supporting the University Didactics Centre
• Promoting lecture evaluations
• Increasing printer accessibility for students
• Establishing a centre for key qualifications
• Improving advising in preparation for studying abroad
• Improving the office hours in the academic secretarial office
• Broadening psychosocial counselling
• Supporting university sports and student programme societies

For the year 2007, approximately 959,000 euros are budgeted for (185,000 euros of which are budgeted for one year).

Faculty Allocations

Structure as above, 2.5 million euros approved initially, further planning in the summer semester.

• Depends heavily on the needs of the individual departments.
• Student advising is being improved in all departments with smaller practice groups and tutorials. New staff and tutors are being hired for this purpose. Students receive scripts free of charge, etc..
• Subjects with a strong emphasis on experiments are modernising and improving the laboratory work stations for students.
• Subjects with a stronger theoretical emphasis are attempting to improve the course offerings. For this purpose, lecturers and junior professors are being hired, which is in part being financed by tuition fees.
• In the Physics Department, the addition of more lectures will make it easier for new students to commence studies in the summer. The student environment is being improved throughout the programme (e.g. library, computer equipment, printer access, excursions).
• The Faculty of Medicine is using the funds for developing new forms of studying and examining; for evaluation and quality assurance in its degree programmes; and for establishing revision courses, mentoring programmes, etc..