What is...?
Those who are new to university often have many questions. Here are the most important answers when starting your studies.
Students and faculty meet in the "Frischraum" to eat.
Lili Nahapetian
It's finally starting! The winter semester 2021/22 is in the starting blocks and can take place in person. But if you are new to Bayreuth or have rarely set foot on campus so far due to the pandemic situation, you may have some question marks regarding the terminology. This article explains what is important at the University of Bayreuth, who the right people are to contact, and where you can find more information.
What are faculties and how many does the University of Bayreuth have?
Faculties are organisational units of a university. Subordinate to the faculties are the institutes as well as the endowed chairs and professorships. The faculties also organise the associated study programmes. The University of Bayreuth has seven faculties. Here is the list, and links to the individual faculties: https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/en/university/faculties/index.html
Who is the "boss" of the university?
The University Executive Board consists of the President, the Vice-Presidents and the Provost. The University President is Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible, the Provost is Dr. Nicole Kaiser.
Dr. Nicole Kaiser and Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible
Rennecke/UBT
According to the Bavarian Higher Education Act, the University President, together with the Deans, ensures that professors and other teaching staff properly fulfil their teaching and examination obligations. The President is responsible for all teaching and has a decisive influence on the development of the University.
The Provost is, to put it bluntly, the University's head of administration, and is responsible for financial matters, planning, and the organisation of human resources. In addition, the Provost is responsible for the University's real estate and legal tasks.
There are four vice presidents at the University of Bayreuth. Prof. Dr. Susanne Tittlbach is responsible for the area of digitalisation, innovation and sustainability, Prof. Dr. Martin Huber for the area of teaching and learning, Prof. Dr. Britta Planer-Friedrich for the area of research and junior scholars, and Prof. Dr. Thomas Scheibel for the area of internationalisation, gender equality and diversity.
In addition, the Women's Representative Prof. Dr. Birgitta Wöhrl is part of the university management.
For more information: https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/en/university/organization/index.html
What does a dean do?
The Dean is elected by the Faculty Council from among the professors of a faculty. He or she ensures that the faculty's employees fulfil their obligations. In addition, the Bavarian Higher Education Act stipulates that the dean implements a development plan for the faculty. The plan is decided by the Faculty Council. In addition, the dean decides on the filling of positions and the use of funds.
What is Stupa?
The Student Parliament, or Stupa for short, is the highest decision-making body of a constituted student body in Germany. Stupa is elected every year by the students of the University. Stupa has a total of 29 members. Both political university groups and representatives of the student councils are involved.
For more information: https://www.studierendenparlament.uni-bayreuth.de/en/index.html
What are student councils?
The seven faculties of the University of Bayreuth each have a student council. In addition, there is also a council for student teachers at the University of Bayreuth. Student councils are part of student self-administration and represent the interests of students. The student councils usually have student council offices and keep office hours.
For more information: https://www.studienberatung.uni-bayreuth.de/de/Fachschaften/index.html (only available in german)
What can you do with your Campus-Card?
The Campus Card is a student ID, canteen card, sports card, library card, and semester ticket all in one. The card can be topped up at various machines on campus and then used as a means of payment. But beware! If you top up your Campus Card in the cafeteria, you can only spend this money in the cafeteria. All other top-up stations save any credit bought for the University Shop, printers and photocopiers, for the sports facilities, or for paying fees in the library.
Further information can be found here:
https://www.studierendenkanzlei.uni-bayreuth.de/en/students/ubt-campus-card/index.html
What apps do I need?
The campus app is called UniNow and facilitates the organisation of everyday life at the University. E-mails from the University e-mail address, the current cafeteria schedule, and much more information about everyday life at the University can be found here.
In the app Scrit, the latest messages from the university are quickly sent out. The library and the language center also have channels. There are standard channels and channels that can be subscribed to individually.