Protests at universities: Hessen fears one billion euros in cuts

Protests at universities: Hessen fears one billion euros in cuts

Protests at Hessian universities have caused a sensation in the past few days. Students and employees demonstrated against the plans of the state government, which provides massive cuts in the financing of science and education as part of the university package for the years 2026 to 2030. The fear of a deficit of around one billion euros in the next six years is hovers over the universities in the country. The Minister of Science Timon Gremmels had to face the resistance on several fronts.

The Union Education and Science (GEW) and Verdi organized the protest actions in which an estimated 450 people took part, especially at the University of Kassel and the Technical University of Darmstadt. The event was under the motto "No Cuts", which illustrates the urgency of the concern. The discussions about the university pact are characterized by frustration and uncertainty, especially when it comes to the future of chairs and employment relationships. Minister of Science Gremmels speaks of necessary cuts, justified by falling tax revenue.

Fears of financing

The planned deficit leads to concern about the structural underfunding of the universities, warn the university presidia. A permanent reduction of ten percent of the staff is in the room. The GEW reported displeasure among employees, which is reinforced not least by the insufficient equipment for experiments that was denounced by a psychology student. The annual increase of 2.12 percent is also considered much too low to cover the increasing costs.

The university president Ute Clement emphasized in her statements that this was not just about austerity measures, but also with profound cuts. The burgeoning tension between the universities and the state government can also be seen in an open letter from staff councils of several Hessian universities, which was aimed at the state government and indicates the need for adequate basic financing.

reactions of the opposition

The opposition sharply criticizes the financing plans, Etsche even described the university pact as a "savings university pact" and warn that long-term negative effects on research, teaching and personnel could not be ruled out. The frustration is not only noticeable among the protesters, but also among educational politicians who demand a fundamental change of course in university financing in order to ensure the quality of the courses and the number of jobs. une.

The wave of protest has also shown that there is an all-round consensus on the importance of universities for society and the economy. Minister Gremmels emphasizes the central role of universities for the future of the country, but the question remains how these plans should be realized in times of scarce health insurers. The discussion about the budget for 2025, which is already requested by the unions, begins in autumn. The upcoming decisions could significantly determine the future of Hessian universities.