Public protest against cuts to university funding in the state of Baden-Württemberg
On Tuesday, 26 November 2019, the University of Konstanz will lead a public protest against current cuts to university funding in the state of Baden-Württemberg.
The demonstration will take place from 12:00 to 14:00 in the city centre. We would like to invite all of you – students and staff members – to take part and request you join us at the demonstration. We will meet at HTWG Konstanz – University of Applied Sciences (inner courtyard) and will then make our way through the city of Konstanz to Augustinerplatz.
We would be especially pleased if the teaching staff declared their solidarity by joining this student-led protest and, if possible, refrained from holding any courses (such as labs, exercises, seminars, tutorials, training, lectures, etc.) while the rally takes place, including the time it takes to travel to and from the city centre.
Students who take part in the demonstration will not be considered as being absent without leave, if they miss a course because of the event. All members of the teaching staff are also requested to draw attention to the rally on 26 November during their lectures leading up to the event.
On 26 November during the times mentioned above, the university will be moving to Augustinerplatz!
According to our information, the state of Baden-Württemberg has amended its disappointing budget proposal only to a very small degree since the state-wide campaign day on the topic of university funding on 30 October 2019. It thus only marginally addresses the state universities’ demands. If the budget is passed as it is now, starting in 2021, the University of Konstanz and universities across Baden-Württemberg will not have access to funds that are essential to ensuring good teaching and working conditions, that promote research and the digital transformation, that foster inclusion and diversity and allow us to maintain infrastructure that is in good order and in line with contemporary standards.
Read more about this topic and the universities’ demands under Hochschulfinanzierung or visit the state-wide campaign website nosciencenofuture.de (both in German).
If all of the approximately 13,000 university members work together, we can take a stand against the state’s current policy of cutting back on university funding and for our future!
We are counting on each and every one of you to show your solidarity by joining the demonstration!
Kind regards
Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein (Rector)
Helen Schiff, Finn Tiboft und Jana Schwarz (Presidents of the Student Representation)