Kassel University Senate Postpones Decision on Basic Charter

In the current version, the preamble to the Basic Order includes a commitment to peaceful goals and a focus on civilian purposes in research, development, teaching, and academic studies. During the first reading, the committee had adopted a new version that, among other things, acknowledges that it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between civilian and potentially military uses of research findings in light of, for example, technological developments and hybrid warfare.

Regardless of its wording, the Basic Statute serves only as a call to action. In principle, the freedom of research and teaching guaranteed by the Constitution applies to academia.

The University Senate also decided that a procedure will be developed in greater detail to support researchers, if necessary, in the evaluation of research projects.

In addition, discussion events on the topic of the Basic Order are to take place in the coming months.

Press contact:

Sebastian Mense
University of Kassel
Office of Communications and Marketing
Tel.: +49 561 804-1961
Email: presse[at]uni-kassel[dot]de
www.uni-kassel.de