Commission for Developmental Planning and Finances (KoEFi)

The Commission for Developmental Planning and Finances (abbreviated as KoEFi in German) advises the Executive Board, the Senate, the faculties and other teams and areas within the University. Its focus lies on the distribution of available funds within the University as well as on structural/organisational matters of the University, its overall continued development and how it can be adapted to current needs and requirements.

Topics within the commission’s remit can include, for example, the University Development Plan (abbreviated HEP in German), the annual budget, parameters for distributing funds, and discussions on proposed guidelines or regulations affecting professorial appointments or benefits.

As an advisory commission, KoEFi usually consults with the Senate or the Executive Board when new plans or decisions are being discussed. Its job is to echo the viewpoints of the affected employee groups at Rhine-Waal University and provide recommendations for improvement, where warranted. When the final drafts and proposals from these discussions are submitted to the Senate for consideration, the commission will issue an official statement to help the Senate make an informed decision.

The duties and the composition of the commission are set forth in Section 9 of the HSRW Constitution. Other areas of responsibilities can be defined by the Senate in consultation with the Executive Board. KoEFi usually meets five times per year, but can also arrange extraordinary meetings as needed. Meetings are not open to the public.

The commission is supported in its tasks and duties by the Department of Resources.

The KoEFi commission includes the following members with voting power: seven professors from Rhine-Waal University (currently Prof. Dr Joachim Fensterle, Prof. Dr Klaus Hegemann, Prof. Dr Torsten Niechoj, Prof. Dr-Ing. Dirk Nissing, Prof. Dr Simone Pauling, Prof. Dr Oliver Serfling, Prof. Dr Wögen Tadsen); two members of the academic staff (currently Axel Huth, Frank Kremer); two members of the non-academic staff (currently Daniele Kerkhoff, Gudrun Staedel-Schneider); and two students (currently Koussai Gadhgadhi, Endri Lohja).

The chancellor (Michael Strotkemper) is also a member of KoEFi, but without voting power.

The president and the Head of the Finance Department regularly attend KoEFi meetings as well. Other members of Rhine-Waal University can also be invited to sessions when additional expertise is needed on specific matters.