Tasks of the Rectorate

The rectorate and the rector are two of the four senior governing bodies/officers of the University of Vienna pursuant to the Universities Act 2002.

The rectorate has, in particular, the following duties:

• to manage and to represent the university
• to prepare a draft statute for submission to the senate
• to prepare a university development plan for submission to the senate and the university board
• to prepare a university organisation plan for submission to the senate and the university board
• to prepare a draft performance agreement for submission to the university board
• to appoint the heads of organisational units
• to conclude target agreements with the heads of organisational units
• to assign university members to organisational units
• to remit decisions by other organs for re-consideration and to act if other organs are in default
• to call for applications for vacant positions
• to regulate student admissions
• to organize the collection of university fees in the amount provided for by federal law
• to initiate evaluations and publication of the results thereof
• to award authorisations to teach (veniae docendi) based on the decision of the habilitation committee established by the senate
• to express opinions on curricula
• to establish an accounting and reporting system
• to make budget allocations
• to conduct and to manage the financial affairs of the university
• to prepare the annual performance report, the financial statements and the intellectual capital report
• to approve regulations for the granting of authorisations to employees of the university to make legal transactions on behalf of the university under section 28(1) of the Universities Act 2002
• to see to all other matters that are not expressly assigned to another body.

The rector has the following duties:

• to preside over the meetings of the rectorate and to act as its spokesperson
• to nominate candidates for election as vice-rector
• to head the university office
• to negotiate and to conclude performance agreements with the Federal Minister
• to act as the superior of all university staff
• to negotiate the employment contracts of the vice-rectors
• to select professors from shortlists drawn up by the appointments committees
• to conduct professorial appointment contract negotiations
• to conclude employment and service contracts
• to award authorisations to employees of the university to make legal transactions on behalf of the university under section 28(1) of the Universities Act 2002.

Furthermore, the rector assumes responsibilities of the rectorate pursuant to its rules of procedure.

The term of office of the rector lasts four years (Oct. 1, 2007 to Sep. 30, 2011). The term of office of the rectorate corresponds to the term of office of the rector.