Legal Provisions

According to the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany, higher education legislation is as a general rule in the hands of the federal states. For reasons of higher education funding however, some statutory provisions have been passed at the federal level – set out in the German Framework Act for Higher Education . Moreover, several statutory regulations, university statutes and regulations are applicable within the organizational structure of JGU. Recommendations and guidelines shape everyday life at the university, as well.

Statutory provisions & university regulations

Charter of Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz (JGU) (in German only)
The Charter of JGU lays down the university’s structure as well as the responsibilities and competences of its bodies. Moreover, the Charter sets out the procedure for granting additional monetary support and awarding research and teaching grants and it ensures high quality standards are complied with during the appointment procedures of university lecturers.

Hochschulrahmengesetz (German Framework Act for Higher Education , HRG) (in German only)
The German Framework Act for Higher Education (HRG) was adopted by the Federal Republic of Germany in order to regulate higher education. However, details may only be regulated at federal level in exceptional cases as the competence for legislation on culture and research falls within the sovereign rights of the federal states who have passed higher education acts at state level to regulate the details.

Hochschulgesetz des Landes Rheinland-Pfalz (Higher Education Act of Rhineland Palatinate, HoSchG) (in German only)
The federal state of Rhineland Palatine exercises its legislative sovereignty over all higher education institutions through its Higher Education Act. Besides laying down the fundamental responsibilities of higher education institutions, these institutions’ legal status as self-regulatory body and membership thereto is set out in the Act. Moreover, it contains provisions on the admission to study programs.

Doctoral degree and habilitation regulations (in German only)
The faculties‘ doctoral degree and habilitation regulations are the basic provisions on how a doctoral degree or postdoctoral lecturing qualification can be obtained. These regulations contain information on the admission requirements, necessary achievements as well as further procedural provisions.

Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (German Fixed Term Research Contracts Act, WissZeitVG) (in German only)
The German Act on fixed term employment contracts in research imposes restrictions on time limitations for employment contracts with research or artistic staff at higher education institutions and non-academic research institutes. Research and artistic personnel with academic education may only be employed on a fixed term basis for six years. Physicians also fall under this provision. After the doctoral degree has been obtained, the fixed term contract may be extended for another six years in all disciplines except medicine, where it may be extended for another nine years

Guidelines and recommendations

Appointment procedures (in German only)
JGU has established several procedural provisions and guidelines regarding appointment procedures for professorships and junior professorships, the award of the title supernumerary professor (“apl. Professor/in”) as well as the appointment of honorary professors.

Good academic practice (in German only)
JGU has adopted a Regulation to ensure good academic practice in research and teaching which sets out fundamental guiding principles and responsibilities within the university when it comes to good academic practice. Moreover, it contains provisions on how to proceed in cases of suspected academic misconduct as well as sanctions that may be imposed in cases where the academic misconduct is proven. The faculties may add provisions to the Regulation and adapt it to the specific needs of their disciplines.

Guidelines on good working conditions at JGU (in German only)
In its Guidelines on good working conditions („Leitlinien guter Arbeit“), JGU promotes good working conditions for all its academic and non-academic employees. The Guidelines define fundamental principles regarding, for instance, recruitment conditions, the usage of fixed term contracts or the contents of employment contracts.

Representation of interests

German U15
The association German U15 e.V. is a strategic interest group for fifteen large research-intensive German universities with leading medical faculties. The U15 universities offer a full range of disciplines without engineering sciences. The German U15’s purpose is to support academia, research and education. Moreover, the association addresses different issues that are of great importance for the work of universities but also of non-academic institutes.

German Rectors‘ Conference
The German Rectors‘ Conference (HRK) is the voluntary association of German universities and represents their interests in politics and the public. It addresses all topics related to the responsibilities of universities: research, teaching and learning, continuing professional education for academics, knowledge and technology transfer, international cooperation as well as administrative self-management.

TU9
TU9 is the alliance of nine leading Institutes of Technology in Germany. This university association’s task is to maintain contacts to policy makers and decision makers from industry and society. The association is especially focused on matters concerning the academic education of engineers as well as ensuring the educational quality.

The German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat) (in German only)
The German Council of Science and Humanities is the most important advisory body for research policy in Germany. It provides advice to the Federal Government and the state governments. It produces and publishes recommendations on the structural aspects and performance, development and financing of research institutions or on general issues regarding the German research system.