University Equal Opportunities and Diversity
Semper apertus – always open, that is the traditional motto of Heidelberg University. It is a commitment to the principle of diversity and to equal opportunities for its members, regardless of sex, age, religion or origin. Heidelberg University stands for equal opportunities and the compatibility of professional work and family life.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunities Commissioner
The Equal Opportunities Commissioner for academic staff and students is elected by the University Senate every two years. She is responsible for academic matters, appointment procedures and staff selection, committee work in administrative bodies and the Senate. In this she is supported by the Equal Opportunities Commissioners of the faculties, who represent her in the faculty councils and commissions.
UNIFY (formerly Equal Opportunities Office)
UNIFY is the central institution for all matters concerning diversity, equal opportunities and compatibility of career and caring responsibilities, support on individual and structural level during studies, research and teaching. The tasks involved range from the elaboration of concepts and action plans for equality, diversity and family friendliness for the university and the Excellence Initiative to the implementation of measures.
Equal Opportunities
The Equal Opportunities Commissioner for administrative, laboratory and technical staff looks after the concerns of administrative employees, lab technicians and engineering workers. She can be consulted on matters related to the compatibility of work and family life and in connection with conflicts at the workplace. The range of her activities encompasses both cooperation for the improvement of equal opportunities parameters and individual counselling.
Services
Diversity participation process
The aim of the participation process, which is being organised by the central institution UNIFY – Unit for Family, Diversity & Equality, is to develop a new diversity concept for the university that will form the basis for the strategic orientation and focus of diversity work in the coming years.
