Departmental Regulations of the Department of Education at the University of Vienna
§ 1. The bodies of the Department are
a) The Head of Department
b) The Department Gathering
c) The Department Meeting
§ 2. Head of Department
b) The Head of Department has a duty to inform the Department Gathering regarding all matters concerning the Department, particularly regarding questions of budget and personnel development.
c) In connection with decisions or regulations that primarily affect individual staff members or Research Units, the Head of Department shall seek an informative discussion with these persons or groups of persons (and, if applicable, their desired representatives) prior to finalizing such decisions.
d) The Head of Department shall convene a Department Gathering and a Department Meeting at least twice per semester.
e) In case that at least one-fifth of all members (at least 4 votes out of 20 persons entitled to vote) of the Department Gathering express their concerns regarding a decision by the Head of Department in writing, a meeting of the Department Gathering addressing the point in question must be convened immediately, in accordance with § 3 of the Rules of Procedure for Collegiate Bodies of the University of Vienna.
1) The Department Gathering consists of the following groups
a) One representative belonging to the academic university staff from each of the Research Units located at the Department, regardless of staff category affiliation (incl. Professors, Mid-level academic staff, Project staff) (Status as of Nov. 21, 2025: 12 people):
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Comparative and International Education |
b) One representative of the professors located at the Centre for Teacher Education with a proportional staff affiliation to the Department.
c) Two representatives of the general university staff (Department Coordinator and SSC Coordinator).
d) Five representatives of the students (incl. doctoral candidates writing their dissertation in the field of Education).
e) A member of the Equal Opportunities Working Party or a representative nominated by said group has the right to participate in the meetings of the Department Gathering with an advisory vote.
f) The following persons belong to the Department Gathering as permanent information providers without the right to vote: The Dean, the Head of Department, the Director of Studies (SPL) of SPL 19, the Director of Doctoral Studies (DSPL) of DSPL 59, and the Head of the Doctoral School of Education. In case of inability to attend, a deputy is to be sent.
The representatives of the groups mentioned under a), b), and d) are delegated by the respective (status) group or the respective Research Unit. Representation by substitute members as well as subsequent nomination in the case of resignations is possible within the groups or Research Units.
Proxy voting is possible for all members. Up to two votes are possible per person (one own vote + one proxy vote, or two proxy votes in the case of substitute members).
The meetings take place in a hybrid format.
a) The quorum of the Department Gathering is reached when half of the members (at least 10 votes out of 20 persons entitled to vote) are present.
b) Votes are to be held by secret ballot, but may take place openly upon request.
c) Electronic voting is possible.
3) Proposals for the Appointment of the Department Leadership
a) The Department Gathering proposes the Head of Department for appointment following a presentation by the candidates. A simple majority suffices for this.
b) The Department Gathering proposes the appointment of the deputies to the Head of Department. A simple majority suffices for this.
c) The date for votes for the Head of Department or their deputies is to be announced to the members of the Department Gathering at least two weeks in advance.
d) The result of these votes serves as an expression of the Department's opinion regarding the right of department members to be heard by the Head of the Organizational Unit (Faculty).
4) Furthermore, the Department Gathering is incumbent upon the following tasks, in particular:
a) Recommendations for all departmental matters.
b) Decisions regarding statements on departmental matters, which are submitted to the Head of Department in view of the significance in teaching and research operations or, respectively, the costs expected therewith.
c) Recommendation regarding the appointment and dismissal/recall of the Head of Department and the deputies.
d) Discussion of the respective development plan as well as proposals for public tenders in personnel matters.
e) Discussion of the respective departmental profile.
5) The Director of Studies (SPL)
reports in every meeting of the Department Gathering on the activities of the Directorate of Studies as well as the Study Conference and their decisions.
The Head of Department must invite all employees employed at the Department as well as the student representatives and external lecturers to a Department Meeting once per semester.
The Department Meeting takes place in a hybrid format.
§ 5. Any changes to the Departmental Regulations by the Department Gathering are decided by a two-thirds majority.
These Departmental Regulations were adopted by the Department Gathering of the Department of Education on December 3, 2025, and put into force with immediate effect by the Head of Department, Univ. Prof. Dr. Veronika Wöhrer.