The compensation matter

The universities need additional funds to ensure and improve teaching quality and study conditions. Accordingly, the abolition of tuition fees without replacement would have resulted in a massive worsening of the situation. For this reason, from the beginning, the Student Representation had not only propagated the abolition of tuition fees, but also at least the full compensation of the funds from the general state budget. This demand was also repeatedly emphasized during the referendum, both publicly and in discussions with politicians. If the compensation funds were to come about only through reallocations within the Ministry of Science's budget, this would have very little or no benefit, as the money would be lacking elsewhere for the universities.

Included in the demand for full compensation was the demand to maintain equal say for students regarding the allocation of funds. In many places, it has become clear how important it is to include students in the decision-making processes on an equal basis when it comes to improving study conditions. This is because they are the only ones who are confronted with their respective study situations on a daily basis and who have an overview of teaching as a whole. Only together with the students the most important problems can be identified and solved.

Since the government also recognized that the Free State had to fully compensate for the elimination of tuition fees to remain a competitive and attractive science location within Germany, but also globally. And to be able to develop further as such, the Education Financing Act was passed in the State Parliament at the same time as the abolition of general tuition fees, which provides for full compensation and equal participation of students.

The purpose of improving study conditions was maintained. The desire for permanent compensation is reflected in the fact that a fixed annual compensation amount, which is based on the total income from tuition fees of the previous year, is anchored in the Bavarian Higher Education Act – and not only in the Budget Act for the years 2013/14.