Statutes of the research centre "Society and Sustainability", Centre of Research for Society and Sustainability (CeSST) at Fulda University of Applied Sciences
of 15 December 2022
The Presidential Board of Fulda University of Applied Sciences has adopted the following statutes:
§ 1 Name and legal status
The Centre of Research for Society and Sustainability (CeSST) was established on 1 January 2011 as a central academic facility.
§ 2 Tasks
The Centre's understanding of sustainability is based on the terminology of the 1992 UNCED in Rio de Janeiro and the subsequent conferences: The aim is to initiate development that is simultaneously and equivalently committed to the protection of the ecosphere through consistent respect for the goals of environmental protection, stable economic development in the sense of 'glocal' economic stability and the equitable distribution of life opportunities in the dimensions of social justice between individuals, spaces/regions, generations and genders.
The desired simultaneity and equivalence can only be guaranteed in a highly differentiated society if the diversity of perspectives is given sufficient weight and the relevant institutions co-operatively and communicatively align their resources with this claim.
The tasks of the centre are Interdisciplinary (social sciences, law, health promotion, ecology, technology and computer science, economics) research, development, knowledge transfer and continuing education in the following core areas of socially anchored sustainability processes
- Education and social equality
- Social and economic security
- Space and region
- Technology, health, climate change: safeguarding immaterial living conditions
- Intergenerational and gender equality
- Social participation
Concrete tasks of the centre are therefore:
- The organisation of trans- and interdisciplinary collaboration at the level of process and project development;
- the application for corresponding externally funded projects at regional, national and international level; - knowledge transfer and practice orientation;
- academic policy and organisational consulting, project evaluation;
- conference organisation.
The fulfilment of these tasks is science-based, independent and (party-politically) neutral, and the members are committed to academic honesty and compliance with the rules of good scientific practice.
§ 3 Bodies
The bodies of the Centre are
1. the Centre Management (§ 4)
2. the General Assembly (§ 6)
§ 4 Centre Management
1. the Centre Management passes four professors of the Fulda University of Applied Sciences. This committee appoints a spokesperson. The Centre Management reports to the Presidential Board of the University.
2. the Centre Management is chosen by the General Assembly with the approval of the Presidential Board for a period of three years.
3. the centre management decides by a majority of those present. In the event of a tie, the spokesperson has the casting vote.
4. the member of the Executive Committee in charge of research and development is invited to the meetings of the Centre Management. He or she may be admitted as a replacement.
§ 5 Responsibilities of the Centre Management
1 The Centre Management manages the day-to-day business and represents the Centre in its research affairs both internally and externally. It is responsible for coordination with the departments, the Presidential Board and other facilities. It is in charge of implementing decisions made.
2 The Centre Management decides on applications for membership of the Centre.
3. the centre management invites members to the general meetings and chairs the meetings.
4. the Centre Management submits an annual financial report to the General Assembly, the Senate and the Presidential Board on the use of the funds available to the Centre.
5. the Centre Management shall regularly inform the General Assembly, the Senate and the Presidential Board about the development of the Centre.
§ 6 General Assembly
1) Members of the Centre may become members on application:
a) Professors, academic employees, doctoral candidates who are members or affiliates of Fulda University of Applied Sciences,
b) Professors, academic employees, doctoral candidates who are members or affiliates of a university.
Membership is decided by the centre management in consultation with the Presidential Board.
2 The members form the General Assembly. The General Assembly meets publicly at least once a year at the invitation of the Centre Management. An extraordinary general meeting can be convened by the centre management or one third of the members if necessary.
3 The General Assembly chooses the Centre Management and has a comprise right to information vis-à-vis the Centre Management.
4 The General Assembly makes recommendations on the development of the Centre and on further research focuses.
5. the Presidential Board, the Research and Transfer, Financial Management and Quality Management divisions as well as other research centres at Fulda University of Applied Sciences are invited to the meetings of the General Assembly of Members and may send a representative in an advisory capacity.
6 Membership ends as soon as a member leaves the university (due to a change of job or similar) or retires, unless the member applies for membership again.
§ 7 Duration
1. the Centre shall initially be furnished for a period of three years.
2. the Presidential Board of the Fulda University of Applied Sciences shall decide on the continuation of the centre after an evaluation and a statement by the Senate[1].
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[1] Last extended until 31 December 2025 by decision of the Executive Board on 15 December 2022.