Current developments at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar

The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is currently in a difficult financial situation; after years of adequate funding, a budget deficit emerged in 2025, and this is something we must address. The present situation is complicated and driven by numerous factors, including, among others, higher expenditures (e.g. staff, infrastructure), addition costs that arose from collective agreements, and changes in the broader economic situation (inflation, increasing energy costs, the after-effects of the pandemic). Consolidation measures have been introduced and are already having an initial (albeit still insufficient) impact. Our situation is posing a challenge, but we are ready to take action.

In order for us to secure funding up until 2027 while at the same time setting the course for long-term stabilisation by 2030, short-, mid-, and long-term cost-saving measures are now being implemented. These measures have been developed in collaboration with the faculties and departments. These measures include, among others, conservative budget management, restricted hiring and contract renewals, reduced business travel and operational expenses, and postponing non-essential investments. The goal is to ensure that core activities in the arts and sciences, research and teaching are safeguarded as effectively as possible.

Safeguarding research and teaching is our number one priority. All students will be able to begin, continue, and complete their studies as planned; that is our responsibility and a promise.
 The student-instructor ratio at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is below the national average; this ensures that the high quality of degree programmes is maintained. Additional funding for research is being secured from, for instance, the state’s »Schnellbauinitiative«.

An external report has been commissioned to comprehensively analyse the financial development from 2016 to 2025 to identify and assess the underlying causes for the current situation.  The results will be presented to the University community at the University Assembly. The aim is to clearly identify the main factors that have contributed to the current situation and to develop measures for sustainable stabilisation (e.g. a new funding allocation model). 

Up-to-date information can be obtained through the University’s public committees. You can also find information on the University’s main information page. Personal questions or concern can be directed to the Presidential Board at any time: wir[at]uni-weimar.de. We encourage you to contact us – we value your questions and feedback.

No. At the moment, the future of the higher education system is the subject of intensive discussion due to the State of Thuringia’s current financial situation. There are, however, no plans for a merger of universities at this stage. The focus is now on closer cooperation between universities, forming strategic alliances, and consolidating selected service and administrative functions. The goal is to establish synergies and resource efficiency while preserving the respective identities and strengths of the individual universities.

Cooperation between Thuringian universities will be significantly expanded in the new few years. The focus is on areas such as IT infrastructure, library services, procurement, property management, and other administrative and service functions. The goal is to avoid duplicate services and to develop joint solutions in cases where they are logical and economical.

The coordination of academic programmes and subjects is also to be improved. This applies to degree programmes, continuing education programmes, research topics, and knowledge transfer activities. The goal is to complement the respective strengths of the individual universities while making better use of synergies and making Thuringia’s higher education landscape more effective and visible.

Specific cooperation projects will be agreed upon between the participating universities and incorporated into the Performance and Services Agreement (ZLV). This will then be negotiated with the State of Thuringia in the second half of 2026. This may involve the »Thüringer Landespräsidentenkonferenz« (TLPK) taking on a bigger role when it comes to coordination and strategy.

The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is in a position to influence its future as a university with a clearly defined identity; we are currently discussing the details of this identity as part of the update to the »Struktur- und Entwicklungsplan (STEP)« (structure and development plan). Especially in these times of increasingly scarce resources, it will be essential to strengthen and highlight our specific areas of expertise.

The »Struktur- und Entwicklungsplan (STEP)« (structure and development plan) is the central strategic management tool at the University. It provides an outline of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar’s mid- and long-term development goals in research, teaching, knowledge transfer, human resources, and infrastructure.

Given the current financial and higher education policy situations, the STEP is especially important. It defines priorities, sets developmental focal points, and strategically aligns the University for the upcoming years. The STEP 2030 is currently under revision and will be accompanied by a concrete financial plan. This process takes into account both the financial possibilities and the necessary structural adjustments.

This revision is taking place as part of a multi-stage University-internal process that involves the faculties, central university facilities, and committees. The goal is to present a finalised draft for approval at the University Assembly on 22 June 2026.

Funding for higher education in Thuringia will continue to be tight in the upcoming years. Due to the State’s current budget situation, increases in government funding are limited. The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is consequently required to identify potential cost-saving measures, review its programmes, streamline internal processes, and allocate its resources more effectively.

At the same times, the state government is continuing to rely on the performance and innovation of the ten state universities. Rather than detailed, case-by-case management, universities are being given greater flexibility, guided by clearly defined strategic goals.
Currently, the upcoming 4th Framework Agreement could, for the first time, apply for an eight-year period – from 2027 to 2034. A review and evaluation of the terms agreed upon is set to take place after four years. The specific financial arrangements will be agreed upon in further proceedings and in consultation with the Thuringian Ministry of Finance.
 

Yes. During the Senate session on 20 May 2026, motions to begin dismissal proceedings against the Chancellor and the President were discussed. These motions arose from the University’s precarious financial situation and the resulting wish for a fresh start in addressing these challenges. The Senate consulted and held a vote on the initiation of the procedures.  The result of the vote was to initiate the process of removing the Chancellor from office. 

In accordance with § 23 § Para. 8 of the Thuringian Higher Education Act (ThürHG), those affected by the results of the vote must be consulted and given the opportunity to comment. The University Assembly will then consult and pass a resolution based on the agenda items »Abwahlverfahren des Kanzlers« (impeachment proceedings against the Chancellor) on 22 June 2026. 

A removal from office requires a two-thirds majority from both the full committee and from the professors and junior professors (Hochschullehrer*innen) group. If the double two-thirds majority is achieved, the respective term of office expires at the end of the day on which the vote of no confidence is held.

If the Chancellor is voted out of office, the Presidential Board will manage the office until a new appointment is made. The role of Chancellor can also be fulfilled by the President. 

Yes. The University remains fully operational. Teaching, research, administration, and ongoing development processes will continue as usual. The relevant committees and governing bodies are presently working on the strategic development of the University and achieving financial stabilisation.

Efforts to stabilise the University financially and structurally are being carried out on an ongoing basis and remain unaffected by individual staffing issues. The Presidential Board, faculties, committees, and central university facilities are working together to develop sustainable solutions for the upcoming years.

This includes revising the »Struktur- und Entwicklungsplan (STEP 2030)« (structure and development plan), identifying potential areas for savings and cooperation, further developing internal processes, and preparing major structural reforms within the context of Thuringia’s higher education development starting in 2027.

An external report will also provide concrete recommendations for measures to further stabilise the University’s financial situation and determine its strategic direction. The goal remains to secure the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar’s long-term future as a prestigious and high-performing university.