1. Autonomy of Universities in Austria Gabriele Kucsko-Stadlmayer, Institute for Constitutional and Administrative Law University of Vienna Zagreb, 16 November 2007

2. University of Vienna - 2006 63.000students 5.400academic staff 1.900general staff 15faculties (+ 3 centers) 130degree programs 331European partner universities University of Vienna - 2006 63.000students 5.400academic staff 1.900general staff 15faculties (+ 3 centers) 130degree programs 331European partner universities

3. 3 Art 17 (1) StGG: Art 17 (1) StGG: Science and its Teaching are free. Universities Act 2002 Key Elements Autonomy covers all university functions: research and teaching, financing, organization, staff matters, study law. It includes full legal entity. Autonomy needs a reduction of legal regulation and influence of the ministry of Science. Autonomy needs clear decision structures inside the university, flat hierarchies and the reduction of collegial bodies on faculty level.

4. 4 The Austrian Constitution provides: Institutional Autonomy – § 2 (2) UOG 1993 „Within the scope of laws and ordinances and on the basis of budgetary resources universities are entitled to fulfill their tasks free from instructions (autonomously).” Personal Autonomy – Art 17 StGG 1867 “Science and its teaching are free.”

5. 5 Art 17 (1) StGG: Art 17 (1) StGG: Science and its Teaching are free. Universities Act 2002 Organization There are only two decision-making levels: “Senior governing bodies/officers”: University council, Senate, Rector and Rectorate. “Heads of organizational units”: Deans of faculties, Heads of Centres

6. 6 Art 17 (1) StGG: Art 17 (1) StGG: Science and its Teaching are free. Organization Plan An internal regulation, created by the Rectorate with the approval of Senate and University council. It may provide the number and names of faculties, their internal organization and administration, the creation of departments, institutes, studies organization. It cannot change the two-level structure.

7. 7 Art 17 (1) StGG: Art 17 (1) StGG: Science and its Teaching are free. Decision making procedure Development plan The Development plan designs the strategy of the University for the next three years: Measures and ideas in research, teaching and administration to strengthen the university. This plan is elaborated by the Rectorate. The Senate has to be heard, and the University Council has to give its approval. Faculty profiles are prepared on the basis of faculty proposals.

8. 8 Art 17 (1) StGG: Art 17 (1) StGG: Science and its Teaching are free. Conclusion Autonomy involves the necessity of a University strategy and governing bodies that coordinate faculty profiles and competing wishes for resources from faculties. The top management level in many respects depends on the specific-field competence of the Heads of faculties and Centres. The financing instrument “target agreement” respects the constitutional guarantee of “Freedom of Science and Teaching”.

9. 9 Art 17 (1) StGG: Art 17 (1) StGG: Science and its Teaching are free. Autonomy of Universities in Austria Gabriele Kucsko-Stadlmayer Thank you for your attention!