Dear colleagues in the university secretariats, dear interested parties,

In recent years, work in university secretariats has changed fundamentally. Dealing with a multitude of computer programs, the progress of digitalization and the increasing number of independent activities present us all with new challenges. We university secretaries no longer just carry out traditional secretarial and administrative tasks; with our extensive specialist knowledge, experience, professional and social skills and language skills, we are an important link between students, academics and staff.

In order to bundle these skills, benefit from them and support each other, the University Secretariat Network at the University of Siegen was founded in mid-2013 with the approval of the Chancellor and became part of the University of Siegen's basic regulations as a subgroup of the Working Group of Employees in Technology and Administration (AKMTV) on September 18, 2014. It is in contact with state and national interest groups of university secretaries and the Federal Conference of Women's and Equal Opportunities Officers at Universities (bukof), participates in HÜF training events and organizes events itself.

The focus and goals are

• Networking and passing on specialist knowledge,
• Contact point for employees' concerns and needs,
• Communication body between staff council and university administration,
• welcoming and assisting new colleagues,
• performance-related remuneration against the backdrop of the changing job profile and increased demands,
• and much more.

Added to this is an austerity policy that leads to job cuts, time limits and job splitting. The result is often insecurity, psychological pressure and dissatisfaction, also due to low appreciation and inadequate pay.

Since its foundation, it has recorded a constantly growing number of members. One of the reasons for this is that representatives of the network welcome new colleagues to their workplace, provide assistance and also welcome colleagues from the administration, the print shop, the university library and the press office.

Only together are we strong!

That is our motto and so we welcome every new member and interest in working with us. Help us to achieve these goals, because a network lives through its members! It depends on your active participation: Send us an e-mail now and become a member of the university secretariat network.

Birgit Hoffmann
Sabine Leukel
Petra Kauschke