The opposition is demanding significant corrections to the planned Bavarian Higher Education Act from Science Minister Markus Blume (CSU). The draft is “neither modern nor innovative”, but an “unambitious mini-reform”, said Christian Flisek (SPD) on the occasion of the first reading in the plenum. For example, the introduction of a state student representation or the strengthening of equal opportunities policy are positive, but there are deficits in maintaining the diversity of subjects and excellent teaching.
The SPD calls for a renewed hearing of experts in the Science Committee. Verena Osgyan, whose Greens parliamentary group submitted its own draft, warned against neglecting the humanities and social sciences, and said the state government was “going through the motions” with regard to the conditions for students and non-professorial staff. In principle, the green draft wants something different – more power for bodies such as senates instead of a managerial position for the presidents and their (also externally staffed) university councils.
At the beginning of May, Blume presented the draft, which is “Germany’s most modern university law” and is intended to realign the system “with agility, excellence and innovation”. Universities are given flexibility in terms of budgets and staff, and they can become builders on campus themselves if they wish. Overall, the state should provide guidelines rather than detailed control.
Excellent professors should be able to be appointed more quickly
Universities should also be able to appoint excellent professors faster and without lengthy processes, and also promote the founding of companies. The draft was worked on for several years, according to the original key points, even more autonomy was planned for universities: in the eyes of critics, a consistently market-based signature.
Blume initially defended his proposal and the state government’s “high-tech agenda”. Since 2018 there has been an increase of 18 percent in professorships and 35 percent in budget funds for universities. In addition to this “booster” there is a need for a legal framework for the future. “We’re reducing bureaucracy at universities,” said the minister, adding that “start-up spirit” will be awakened. In the Greens’ draft, there are only other bodies, “let’s focus on excellence, not on circles of chairs and seats”.
Because, according to the draft, universities are committed to climate protection, Ingo Hahn (AfD) imagined a “surrender to the left-green zeitgeist”. Wolfgang Heubisch (FDP), formerly Minister of Science himself, accused Hahn of “Klamauk”. Heubisch would have wished for more “courage” from Blume for more innovative structures. This is discussed in the committee and in further readings. The long way to the law is a “hooliganism”.