At Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, there are various counselling services that you can contact if you have experienced or observed discrimination and disadvantage. These counselling services are cross-faculty and are aimed at all members of the university, prospective students as well as incoming and outgoing students.
How does counselling work?
We listen to you, take your concerns seriously and work with you to develop strategies to address them. All conversations and information are always treated as strictly confidential. The advice and support provided is based on your concerns, needs and goals. Nothing will be done without your express consent.
Are you unsure which type of advising can best help you with your concern? Simply contact any of the offices listed below. The advisors work closely with one another and can gladly put you in touch with the right person.
FAQ Counselling
How can I get an appointment and how soon will a consultation take place?
Appointments for a consultation can be made by phone or by e-mail. Consultation requests have are priority for us, so which means that consultations can usually be scheduled take place quickly.
How can I reach the counselling services?
The advisors can be reached by phone and e-mail and will get back to you as soon as possible.
Where do counselling meetings take place?
Usually, the appointments take place in the offices of the advisors. If you do not wish to meet on campus, this can be arranged individually. Telephone consultations or online consultations are also available.
What happens to my information?
The consultants are required to maintain confidentiality. The matters discussed in your counselling session will not be disclosed to third parties without your knowledge and consent. The Counselling can also take place anonymous.
How long does a counselling session take?
The length of the consultation depends on your request and is based on your needs. If necessary, you can also take advantage of more than one session.
What happens during the consultation?
We listen to you, take your concerns seriously, and help you in developing a strategic course of action, i.e. We work together to decide what can and should be done. If necessary, we refer you to other advisors within and outside the university. We also accompany and provide support and guidance you if you wish to launch a complaint procedure.
What happens after the consultation? What is the result of a consultation?
What happens after the counselling session will be discussed and mutually agreed upon. Nothing will be done without your explicit consent. This means the outcomes vary. You may wish, (together with the counsellors), to have a conversation with the person who discriminated against you. You may want to file a complaint. Perhaps the consultation has already helped you and you do not want to take any further steps (for the time being).
In which language does the counselling take place?
The counselling sessions are usually held in German or English.
Complaint procedure
It might make sense to file a formal complaint. Your complaint will then be investigated by the »Beschwerdestelle« (University Complaints Office) and action taken and/or sanctions imposed as necessary. We recommend that you contact one of the advice centres before you file a formal complaint. An advisor whom you trust can assist as necessary.
What can I do if I experience or witness discrimination?
Affected person
- Defend yourself: Take a stand against discrimination. Speak out if a statement or behaviour makes you feel uncomfortable or you find it hurtful. Do not blame yourself!
- Document the incident: Immediately make a record of what happened to you (place, time, incident, people involved or present, people you spoke to about the incident) and secure evidence (emails, messages, posts, etc.). This will be important should you wish to file an official complaint.
- Obtain support and advice: Speak with people you trust. Speak with people who witnessed the incident and ask for their support and also whether they'd be prepared to make a statement later as a witness. Contact an advice centre. All advice is confidential and, if desired, also anonymous.
- File a complaint: File an official complaint with the »Beschwerdestelle« (University Complaints Office). The advisors can help you with this.
- In case of an emergancy: Call the police.
Witnesses
- Provide support: Do not turn a blind eye – intervene! Talk to the victim and help them to get out of the situation. Help them to explain the perpetrator’s wrongdoing to the perpetrator. Also draw attention to any abusive undertones in dependency relationships.
- Document the incident: Immediately record what (almost) happened and offer to act as a witness.
- Inform of advice and complaint options: Explain to the affected person where they can obtain advice and/or file a complaint and accompany them there if necessary.
- In case of an emergancy: Call the police.
Do you have problems with the organization of your studies, with teachers, exams or with everyday life in general? Have you been treated badly in courses and experienced discriminatory statements and discrimination?
The Faculty Commitees and the Student Convention Board (StuKo) are available for questions and peer-to-peer advice and represent your positions and interests. In addition, various units of the Stuko offer support for specific target groups.
Who can I turn to if I am not sure what counselling I need?
In this case, your first point of contact should be the Diversity Officer. The counsellors are well networked and will be happy to refer you if your specific concern can be better advised elsewhere.
Who can advise me on Multiple Discrimination?
In case where multiple forms of discrimination have occured, please contact the Diversity Officer as your first point of contact. The counsellors are well networked and will be happy to refer you if your concerns can be better dealt with elsewhere.
In which case is the Student Advisory Service, the Subject-specific Student Advisory Service, or the counselling services listed here responsible?
The General Advising Services offers help with learning and work difficulties as well as examination problems, advices on changing subjects or dropping out of studies, supports with study planning and time management, with study-related personal problems and advices on continuing education programmes.
The Academic Advising provides advice on subject-specific questions about study content, examination requirements, study structure and study organisation.
In case if you have experienced or observed discrimination or disadvantage, please contact the counselling services listed here.
There are difficulties between me and a teacher. Who can I turn to?
In case you are experiencing conflicts with an instructor, you are welcome to contact the counsellors listed. We will also accompany you to a meeting with the teacher if you wish.
I am interested in studying at the Bauhaus University. Where can I get advice in advance?
The Advising Services offers counselling services for prospective students on the range of programmes and the choice of studies as well as on the preparation for studies and application. They also provide information on the study conditions.
I am interested in studying at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and have an impairment. Who can I contact?
Our Representative for the Needs of Students with Chronic Illnesses and Disabilities will be happy to advise you on studying with a disability at the university.
I am studying with an impairment and going to/coming from abroad. What support is there for me?
The Representative for the Needs of Students with Chronic Illnesses or Disabilities will advise you if you are coming to us from abroad or would like to go abroad (also regarding special funding).