New University Legislation
The State Higher Education Act is the most important legal framework for universities in North Rhine-Westphalia and is currently undergoing revision. Among the goals of the amendment proposed by the state’s government are the creation of more attractive study conditions, the strengthening of participation rights, and the assurance of a safe and fair university environment. In the following, we will address the most important changes relevant to students and present the perspective of the RWTH Student Union (AStA).
Status: The government’s draft bill has been published. The first reading in the state parliament took place on December 18, 2025. The draft bill was referred to the Science Committee; the next hearing will take place on March 16, 2026.
§ 22 Parity of the University Groups
In the future, the standard model for university senates will be equal representation among the different university groups. This means that university lecturers, research assistants, technical and administrative staff, and students will each have an equal share of the vote. An exception to this rule is permitted if the opportunities for participation by all university groups are otherwise guaranteed in the university’s statutes. Such a provision must be adopted by a vote with equal representation among the four groups.
As the AStA, we welcome the equal treatment of all student groups and are particularly pleased to see the strengthening of student participation. However, we do not understand why the one-quarter quota is to be the standard only in the Senate and not in the faculties. Students need greater participation rights, particularly in the area of teaching.
§ 51a, § 99 Academic Sanctions
Universities are allowed to impose academic sanctions in the event of violations of university rules by students. Such violations include disrupting university operations through violence, using university facilities for criminal acts, and violating the dignity of other members of the university. Possible academic sanctions include a reprimand, temporary exclusion from courses, and expulsion, although the latter may not be imposed solely on the grounds of an offense against dignity. New disciplinary measures now include a ban on entering university premises, a ban on contact with other university members, and temporary exclusion from studies. Previously, disciplinary measures had to be imposed by the Disciplinary Committee, which also included students. This body is being renamed the Disciplinary Council, meaning student participation is no longer mandatory. Furthermore, the new § 99 allows for the imposition of temporary disciplinary measures based on initial suspicion, and the authority to do so may be delegated to the dean.
As the AStA, we generally view positively the effort to make universities a place where everyone can learn, teach, and conduct research in safety and mutual respect. However, we view the proposed changes to academic sanctions with great skepticism. Since academic sanctions can constitute profound infringements on students’ right to education, student participation in the enactment of such measures must be ensured through the establishment of a disciplinary committee with a student veto. The new § 99 enables the abusive use of disciplinary regulations and fundamentally contradicts the requirement for a transparent procedure. We therefore demand the complete deletion of this section.
§ 58b Reform Models
The amendment provides for the possibility of implementing reform models for degree programs. These may, in particular, take the form of a “zero” semester for prospective students without an academic background or those coming from abroad.
Reform models can offer students who need more guidance a suitable entry point into their studies and open up opportunities to test new degree program models and teaching methods. As the AStA, it is important to us that these reform models do not create additional admission requirements or open the door to the introduction of tuition fees.
§ 63 Freedom of Religion
In the future, students’ religious freedom will be taken into account when setting exam dates. In particular, this may mean that exams can no longer be held on non-Christian holidays.
Exams scheduled on religious holidays can be a burden for individual students. However, given the complexity of exam scheduling and existing constraints, a blanket policy of not scheduling exams on religious holidays seems hardly feasible and, in the worst case, could result in exams being postponed to the following semester. We therefore consider a solution whereby individual students are granted an alternative exam date upon application to be a more feasible solution.
§ 64 General Examination Regulations
The amendment provides for the possibility of introducing university-wide framework examination regulations, which must be proposed by students in the Senate, a central student advisory board, or the AStA, and adopted by the Senate. These framework examination regulations may address fundamental issues regarding the structure of degree programs (e.g., attendance requirements, types of examinations) on a university-wide basis.
The adoption of framework examination regulations based on student proposals increases student participation in academic self-governance and can thus enhance the appeal of degree programs. We therefore welcome the change, but view the weakening of the provision due to its optionality with some skepticism.
§ 66 Integrated Bachelor Dentistry / Medicine
The amendment provides universities with the ability to automatically award a bachelor’s degree to their medical students upon completion of the second section of the medical examination.
As the AStA, we welcome this change, as the bachelor’s degree enhances international comparability and thus promotes mobility during one’s studies. Furthermore, it recognizes the academic achievements of students and provides social security for those who are unable to continue their studies until they receive their medical license.
What about Student Fees?
As part of the amendment to the Higher Education Act, the RWTH Rectorate called for the opportunity to introduce tuition fees for non-EU international students. This proposal did not make it into the government’s draft bill.
As AStA, we oppose any form of tuition fees and therefore welcome the fact that the state government did not comply with the university administration’s request.
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