Listening into the university
You can't say that there are too few committees at the University of Siegen: There is the (University) Senate, the Senate Commission, the Faculty Councils, the Staff Council, the University Secretariat Network and the Equal Opportunities Committee. Employees therefore have many opportunities to voice their concerns, issues and ideas. But the threads should come together in one place, everyone should have the opportunity to obtain information and get involved: uncomplicated, low-threshold, without having to submit an application. This task has been taken on by the working group of employees in technology and administration (AK MTV). The working group is anchored in the University of Siegen's basic regulations and is currently reorganizing itself.
"We want to strengthen the networking of employees in technology and administration, pool interests, collect opinions from the workforce and reflect them back to the committees or pass them on to the university management," explains Mathias Scheicher. Together with him, Johannes Hamers, Frauke Hees, Emine Kara, Tobias Klein, Julia Marx, Luz Pacas and Maike Schramm form the working group's spokesperson team. A conscious decision was made not to elect a board of directors. "No new hierarchies," say the spokespeople. As many people as possible should be able to get involved.
Formally, all elected members of the university's self-governing bodies who belong to the group of technical and administrative staff are also members of the working group. "But we have revised the statutes so that not only elected persons, but also employees can take part in the meetings," explains Maike Schramm. Anyone who wants to be there is welcome. The general meeting can grow.
The aim is to be a point of contact for anyone who may not want to approach one of the university committees directly with a concern. Because you don't know where you are "right" with your topic or are unsure which formalities need to be observed. "You'll always find a sympathetic ear at the working group," emphasizes Johannes Hamers. "All topics are welcome." The speakers see the opportunity to "listen to the university" more. "Not everyone likes to stand up in a big meeting and formulate their question. It's different among colleagues in direct conversation," says Hamers.
The working group serves as a platform for collegial discourse, says Luz Pacas. "You can help shape things here and contribute ideas. Colleagues from the Schools, the ZIMT and the central administration come together here. Through diversity, we hope to appeal to many people."
Of course, there is an overlap with the topics of the individual committees. "But that's an advantage," explains Tobias Klein. The members can contribute their knowledge. But in contrast to the topics in the Staff Council, for example, where there are clearly defined formal tasks, the working group can also deal with issues that are often referred to as "soft factors". "Let's call it university culture in general," suggests Mathias Scheicher. "We want to contribute to a dialogical, future-oriented culture among employees." According to Emine Kava, the working group needs to be a lively body to achieve this: "Then a strong network can be created." Employees in technology and administration could gain more visibility.
"We should take advantage of the opportunities for co-determination that exist within the university," emphasizes Johannes Hamers. "This is democracy in action." The MTV working group offers the opportunity to do this.
You can reach the spokesperson team via the following e-mail address: ak-mtv@uni-siegen.de
