1. What does the Representative for Academic Quality do once I contact her?
If you like, i.e. if you indicate your contact details (e.g. by e-mail) and describe your issue, the Representative for Academic Quality will contact you; it is also possible to make your first contact with an appointment or by telephone. The matter will be taken up promptly and if necessary any unanswered questions will be clarified. Compiling full information on the case in order to evaluate it rationally and realise potential solutions may depend on the Representative for Academic Quality carrying out research and/or making enquiries of the responsible bodies/persons. (Key word "Confidentiality and procedure" and "Anonymity" see Points 2 and 3) This is followed by an assessment/recommendation/advice, which may be an initial step, or conclusive.
How matters develop depend on many factors such as the subject/goal of the person concerned, and the nature (character) of the situation. You will be informed about further steps and procedures and can express your thoughts and wishes. You will also be kept informed on developments as they occur, as far as possible; and naturally you will be told about the final results.
2. Who knows that I have contacted the Representative for Academic Quality?
The Representative for Academic Quality is independent and acts autonomously, so you can be confident that you can speak openly about what you don't like about the university or what could be done better. Nobody will know about your enquiry; confidentiality is very important in this context.
You can if you want not only remain anonymous with regard to the Representative for Academic Quality, but also request that your issue is dealt with anonymously in relation to any responsible bodies whose expertise might be required in order to assess the case. Therefore you can be offered protection of your privacy even for apparently very individual issues, because no information will be released about the number of enquiries received (individuals) nor about details that identify you personally (such as sex or nationality).
3. Must the Representative for Academic Quality release information about issues?
The office does not have to account to anyone and students' confidentiality is fully protected in accordance with the law. The annual report only presents statistical data and, where relevant, abstracts of the issues raised. It is impossible to identify those involved from this and therefore privacy is guaranteed.
4. What issues/questions can I present to the Representative for Academic Quality?
You can raise any and all issues regarding your studies - absolutely without exception - where you are dissatisfied or have a suggestion or question.
For example:
- Is the examination load unreasonable?
- Are you having difficulties dealing with a member of teaching staff? Or with the process for registering for examinations?
- Do you have questions about the exam situation/the entire examination process?
- What do you think about the size of the class? Is there a reasonable number of participants?
- Are you able to reach your study contacts without difficulty? Is the support from teaching staff intensive enough?
It really doesn't matter how many students get in touch with the Representative for Academic Quality about an issue. Other students apart from you may be affected, too, even if you don't realise or even know them. But it may be that only you are affected. It doesn't make a difference to the Representative for Academic Quality when handling your request. Every enquiry and every story is taken seriously and handled in the same way (see Points 1 and 2).
The Representative for Academic Quality can however gain an oversight of how many enquiries there have been in relation to this issue and how many students are potentially affected. So even individual enquirers may not represent the only case.
6. Can my (general or individual) ideas and comments really have an effect?
Definitely! The university is only able to develop ideas to improve the study conditions based on your needs with your help. So, by describing your concern, or just a single comment, you can actively contribute to raising the quality of not only your own but general study conditions.
