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Standing Orders of the Study Centre for Blind and Partially Sighted Students

Official Announcements
of the Universität Karlsruhe (TH)
Edited by the Rector and the Chancellor of the University
Issue no. 1, Karlsruhe, 28 April, 1993

Grounded on § 28, section 5 of University Law, on 25 February, 1992 and 21 January, 1993 the Administrative Council of the Universität Karlsruhe (TH) agreed on the following regulations concerning the administration and use of the Study Centre for Blind and Partially Sighted Students (SZS). These rules were approved of by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science and the Arts by decree of 15 February, 1993, reference no. I-516.4/12.

Preamble

In the course of its pilot project "Informatics for the Blind - Studies for Visually Impaired Persons in Informatics and Economic Engineering", which was started in July 1987 and proved to be very successful, the Universität Karlsruhe (TH) has explored the preconditions, technical aids and structures enabling visually impaired students to successfully complete a regular course of studies at university. The Universität Karlsruhe (TH) appreciates the fact that this project will now be carried on at a Study Centre for Blind and Partially Sighted Students. It will continue its endeavours to provide equal study opportunities for visually handicapped students in the subjects of informatics and economic engineering.

§ 1 Legal Status and Responsibilities

  1. The Study Centre for Blind and Partially Sighted Students (SZS) is a scientific institution of the Universität Karlsruhe (TH). It is assigned to the Faculty of Informatics. According to § 28, section 1 of University Law, the dean of the Faculty of Informatics is in charge of the administration of the SZS.
  2. It is the responsibility of the SZS - in co-operation with the faculties participating in the education of visually handicapped people as well as with the Centre for Information and Guidance (zib) at the University of Karlsruhe - to give counselling to visually impaired and blind school-leavers in order to prepare them for studying at the University of Karlsruhe and also to support these students during the course of their studies by providing appropriate counselling and care in scientific and social matters. Moreover, the SZS is to ensure that the visually handicapped students receive guidance and support in their scientific endeavours.
  3. In view of promoting the interests of visually handicapped students, the SZS establishes contacts with industry and cultivates co-operation with other universities as well as with associations for the blind.

§ 2 Head of Institute

  1. A professor of the Faculty of Informatics performing administrative functions according to § 28, section 7 of University Law is to be the scientific head of the SZS.
  2. The head of institute is nominated by the rector in agreement with the Faculty of Economics and on the recommendation of the Faculty Council of the Faculty of Informatics. The term of office is two years; re-appointments are possible.
  3. The head of institute takes responsibility for the fulfilment of the tasks assigned to the SZS according to § 1. Above all, he/she is responsible for the maintenance and further development of the special technical devices (hardware and software) required by the visually impaired students as well as for the settling of questions with regard to studies and examination. Moreover, he/she is to represent the matters of the SZS at the Faculty of Informatics.
  4. The rector is responsible for the conclusion of contracts and for the acceptance of financial contributions by third parties, as well as for decisions concerning civil service and industrial law, in so far as these responsibilities have not been delegated to the SZS. However, this does not apply to the representative authority of the head of institute in matters of business management.

§ 3 Managing Director

  1. The administrative tasks of the SZS and its responsibilities in the social sphere are assumed by a managing director on his own authority. The managing director is subordinate to the head of institute. The responsibilities of the managing director include above all the co-ordination of the co-operation with the various social authorities responsible for visually impaired people, the organisation of information days and of special orientation units in co-operation with schools, and the concentration and co-ordination of single activities.
  2. The managing director is nominated by the dean of the Faculty of Informatics on the recommendation of the head of the SZS and in agreement with the Faculty of Economics, the Centre of Information and Counseilling (zib) and the rector.
  3. The scientific head and the managing director of the SZS are supposed to make important decisions by mutual agreement. This applies above all to personnel policy, unless it is the rector's responsibility.

Advisory Council

  1. The head of the SZS is assisted by an advisory council. The advisory council is to give advice to the SZS administration above all in matters of fitting in the concerns of the SZS into the general course of studies and examinations and to support the administration in its activities. Once a year the head of the SZS is to report to the advisory council about the activities and special developments of the SZS.
  2. The members of the advisory council are:       
    • the dean of the Faculty of Informatics,
    • another representative of the Faculty of Informatics,
    • a representative of the Faculty of Economics and up to two representatives of other faculties involved in the teaching of visually impaired students,
    • a representative of the non-professorial teaching staff of one of the faculties involved,
    • a representative of SZS employees,
    • the representative of disabled students of the Universität Karlsruhe (TH) and a representative of the Centre for Information and Counseilling (zib),
    • two visually impaired students belonging to the SZS.
  3. The dean of the Faculty of Informatics is chairman of the advisory council. The advisory council is convened by him at least three times a year. Moreover, he is to summon the advisory council to a meeting at the request of at least three of its members.
  4. Once a year the advisory council assembles in the form of an extended council. In addition to its full members the extended advisory council includes:      
    • a representative of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science and Research,
    • a representative of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Employment, Health, Family and Women's Issues,
    • two expert scientists from other universities and two representatives of industry,
    • two representatives of universities co-operating with the SZS and two representatives of associations for the blind.
  5. The extended council has an advisory capacity regarding general social and economic issues arising in connection with the development of the SZS.
  6. The members of the advisory council and of the extended advisory council are nominated by the Faculty Council of the Faculty of Informatics in agreement with the Faculty of Economics and with the rector for the duration of two years - student members for the duration of one year - and appointed by the dean. The head of institute and the managing director also take part in the meetings of the advisory council.

§ 5 SZS Members

SZS members are:

  • the managing director of the SZS and SZS employees
  • research and student assistants with or without a degree employed at the SZS
  • visually impaired students studying for a degree or for a doctorate in the subjects of informatics and economic engineering and also, granted the permission of the scientific head, visually impaired students studying for a degree or for a doctorate in other subjects taught at the Universität Karlsruhe (TH).

§ 6 Assembly of Members

An assembly of all SZS members is summoned whenever required. At this assembly, the members are given opportunity for information and discussion. Otherwise the relevant basic regulations apply.

§ 7 Use of Equipment

  1. The SZS equipment may be used by all SZS members within the bounds of their responsibilities. In cases of doubt, the judgement of the scientific head is decisive.
  2. With the permission of the head of institute, the SZS equipment may occasionally be used also by non-members.

§ 8 Enforcement

These regulations come into force with their publication in the Official Announcements of the Universität Karlsruhe (TH).

Karlsruhe, 7 April, 1993

(Prof. Dr. H. Kunle)

Rector