Mandate for negotiating terms granted
Email from university management sent on 22.07.21
Stage I – Discussions open to all university members
October 2020 – July 2021
Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) too could benefit from the foundation model. For this reason, the Presidential Board initiated a dialogue with all status groups and university members in order to assess the opportunities and risks of this model. Prior to this, the idea had already been discussed with the Senate, the deans, the staff council and the student representatives of the Senate.
LUH currently has the legal form of a corporation under public law with the right to self-government. At the same time, Leibniz University Hannover is a state institution. Transforming the university into a foundation under public law has no effect on this status. Instead, a foundation is established that is positioned between the state and the university, therefore taking over the duties of the state.
Senate’s resolution to open negotiations on the establishment of a foundation with the MWK
Yesterday, the Senate - the elected committee of all status groups - decided whether the Presidential Board should be mandated to open negotiations with the state of Lower Saxony
Prof. Dr. Volker Epping, President of Leibniz University Hannover
Stage II – Negotiations with the MWK
August 2021 - July 2022
In 2020/2021, the possible conversion of Leibniz University Hannover into a foundation model was discussed comprehensively and intensively. The pros and cons were weighed up on many occasions, where all members of the university were able to exchange insights as well as to address insecurities or concerns. Within the scope of meetings open to all university members, LUH received support from experts who shared their experience with the foundation model.
On 21 July 2021, the Senate of the university authorised the Presidential Board to negotiate terms for the establishment of a foundation with the Ministry of Science and Culture (MWK). This process has been supported by the Senate and the team in charge of preparing documents for the negotiations and has been announced in the Senate meetings open to all university members.
Regulations and statutes for the establishment of a foundation have now been prepared. In a meeting held on 15 June 2022, the Senate approved the drafted regulations and statutes for the establishment of a foundation. Moreover, an agreement on safeguarding employee rights during and after the conversion of Leibniz University Hannover into a foundation under public law has been concluded with the staff council in order to ensure that LUH members of staff do not experience any disadvantages due to this change of legal form. In a meeting held on 20 July 2022 and based on these documents, a large majority of the Senate approved the conversion of LUH into a foundation. A corresponding request will be submitted to the state government shortly.
Any questions or suggestions?
Contact address for any questions regarding the foundation model
Contact address for any questions regarding the foundation model
