Senate of the University of Kassel anchors "civil clause" in partial basic order

With the resolution, which the Senate passed on Wednesday (December 4) in second reading with a broad majority, a preamble will be added to the partial basic regulations of the university. Following a description of the university's general tasks, it states: "Research and development, teaching and studies at the University of Kassel are exclusively committed to peaceful goals and are intended to fulfill civilian purposes; research, especially the development and optimization of technical systems, as well as studies and teaching are geared toward civilian use." This provision, colloquially referred to as the "civil clause," comes in addition to a similar passage already found in the Orientations for Professors adopted in 2012.

"The research profile of the University of Kassel offers comparatively few points of contact for armaments research. Nevertheless, we must clarify what our position is as a university. The Senate has now done this after an extensive and fruitful discussion; I welcome this," said Prof. Dr. Rolf-Dieter Postlep, President of the University of Kassel, on the Senate's decision. "This self-commitment in the partial basic regulations defines a behavioral norm and is a clear appeal to all professors to always be aware of their responsibility and to act accordingly. The university thus makes full use of the legal framework set by the freedom of science guaranteed in the Basic Law." Prof. Postlep explained that research projects proven to be in conflict with the preamble could be excluded from central additional resources of the university. Thus, if a professor were to accept such a project, he or she would then receive no funding for it from the university beyond the department's basic funding - for example, no funds for equipment or money for additional staff.

The wish of some senators for a special committee to receive reports of suspicious cases and to discuss them did not meet with approval. The Presidential Board and the University Council had raised considerable objections to this, as the Hessian Higher Education Act (HHG) stipulates a different procedure in this regard. According to Section 1, Paragraph 3 of the HHG, all members of the university are called upon to contact "the responsible departmental council or a central body of the university" if they become aware of research projects "which, if used irresponsibly, could cause considerable danger to the health, life or peaceful coexistence of people." Central organs in the sense of the law here are the Senate and the Presidium.

In order for the resolution to become legally binding, the Presidium must now reach agreement with the Senate. This has already been promised by the Presidium.  

Contact:
Sebastian Mense
University of Kassel
Communications, Press and Public Relations
Tel.: 0561 804-1961
E-mail: presse[at]uni-kassel[dot]de