The planned cuts at the MLU proceed continuously. But what about me? Am I affected, too? What happens if my subject gets closed as well? What does “suspended” even mean – and where can I find out more?
Am I affected, too?
All students are affected. The MLU has got a significant deficit in its budget, however, statements about its size differ a lot. This affects many of the university’s branches, some of which are already working at their limits. In particular, the budget cuts are affecting students whose subjects will be “cut back”, “suspended”, “merged”, or “closed”.
What does “cut” mean?
“Cut” refers to the university’s measures to save financial resources, e.g. less resources for staff, offered courses, professorships or university places, in general. Consequences of those measures could be, that certain subjects are (getting) suspended, merged or closed.
What does “suspend” mean?
If a subject is suspended, no more students will be matriculated from a set point in time. That can be done to facilitate the restructuring of a subject, for example. If you are in a subject which is or will be suspended, there likely will not be any immediate consequences for you. However, restructuration and changes in the range of offered courses can affect your studies indirectly.
What does “merge” mean?
The main goal of merging subjects is to safe personnel cost. Unfortunately, it is hard to give general advice on what to do and what to look out for if your course is merged with another one. The effects for you can be very individual – pay attention to changes of the examination or study regulations and keep an eye out for assistance and information provided by your department or faculty.
What does “close” mean?
The university calls this process “cancellation” of a subject. As stated in the university’s regulations, MLU guarantees students who are enrolled at the time the subject is closed a “Study and exam offer in accordance with the current examination regulations […]” which allows to continue one’s studies until the end of their standard period of study plus four semesters.
Students who did not have their final examination at that point are required to submit a request stating reasons for a delayed deadline at the relevant examination board until the 31.01. of the year in question. The examination board can then decide to grant two additional semesters and compile an individual study plan.
Where can I get information and help?
The Student Advisory Service
The Student Advisory Service offers various ways of interaction for its advising appointments, currently including the possibility to attend an advising appointment via web conference. Please look for the current options beforehand on the website of the Student Advisory Service — you can use the QR code shown here for this purpose. Please be sure to follow the current Covid-19 regulations.
- Adress: Studierenden-Service-Center, Universitätsplatz 11, Löwengebäude, 06108 Halle (Saale)
- Telephone: 0345/55213 – 08; – 22; – 27; – 06
- E‑Mail: ssc [at] uni [dot] halle [dot] de
Open office houers:
- Montag: 13:00 bis 16:00 Uhr
- Dienstag: 10:00 bis 12:00 Uhr; 13:00 bis 17:00 Uhr
- Mittwoch: 10:00 bis 11:00 Uhr
- Donnerstag: 10:00 bis 12:00 Uhr; 13:00 bis 16:00 Uhr
The StuRa (Studierendenrat, students council)
The Student Advisory Service offers various ways of interaction for its advising appointments, currently including the possibility to attend an advising appointment via web conference. Please look for the current options beforehand on the website of the Student Advisory Service — you can use the QR code shown here for this purpose. Please be sure to follow the current Covid-19 regulations.
- Adress: Studierendenrat der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Universitätsplatz 7, 06108 Halle (Saale)
- Telephone: 0345/5521411
- E‑Mail: buero [at] stura [dot] uni-halle [dot] de
The Psychosoziale Beratungsstelle des Studentenwerks (psychosocial advisory service of the student service)
New personal challenges and problems can surface in the current situation and the consequences arising from it, whether in studies or in private life. Here, a counseling session may be helpful. The student service offers counseling services at several locations (Halle, Köthen, Merseburg, Bernburg and Dessau). Currently, both telephone and personal consultations (in compliance with hygiene regulations) are offered. The range and frequency of services may vary depending on the counseling location. Please visit the website of the student service for information about current offers, appointments, and further information – you can use the QR code shown here. Please be sure to follow the current Covid-19 regulations – please never visit the counseling center in case of symptoms of illness or feeling unwell, but use the possibilities for remote counseling.
Translation: Stefan Kranz