Silke Lautenschläger has been elected the new Chair of the University Council of Goethe University, succeeding long-time Chair Dr. h.c. Udo Corts. The 56-year-old lawyer served for around ten years as Hesse’s Minister of Health and Environment, and at times also as Minister of Science, in Wiesbaden. After leaving active politics, she spent a decade as a board member of an insurance company, most recently leading its Belgian subsidiary for five years. She was unanimously elected by the University Council on May 5, abstaining from the vote herself.
“The University Council has entrusted me with a clear mandate for this important office – thank you for your confidence,” said newly elected Chair Silke Lautenschläger. “I take on this new role with great anticipation, but also with great respect. Goethe University is not only one of Germany’s largest and most research-intensive universities, but as a foundation university established from society for society, it also enjoys a high degree of autonomy and is closely connected with the wider community. The University Council plays a particularly important role in this context, working together with the Senate, the Board of Trustees, and the Executive Board. My predecessor Udo Corts, who stepped down as announced upon turning 70, helped shape this collaboration during his time in office. I look forward to continuing on this path, including within the Rhine-Main Universities alliance – not least because I hold all three universities close to my heart: Goethe University, TU Darmstadt in the town I was born, and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, where I earned my degree. I look forward to working with the Council, Vice Chair Philip Jacks, and of course, with President Enrico Schleiff and Goethe University’s Executive Board.”
Hesse’s Minister of Science, Timon Gremmels: “I warmly congratulate Silke Lautenschläger on her election as Chair of the University Council of Goethe University Frankfurt. She brings valuable experience and insight to the Council – both as a former state minister and chair of University Hospital Frankfurt’s supervisory board, and from her leadership roles in business. I look forward to working together constructively and with mutual trust, particularly on issues such as reducing bureaucracy, and I wish her every success. My special thanks also go to her predecessor Udo Corts for his dedicated work in improving the conditions for research and teaching.”
Goethe University President Prof. Enrico Schleiff: “I would like to congratulate Ms. Lautenschläger on her successful election – which is also a win for our university! I’m delighted that such a capable and committed individual is taking over the chair of the University Council. Silke Lautenschläger has extensive experience in both politics and business and is very familiar with Hesse’s academic landscape. I wish her all the best in her new role and look forward to working closely together.”
About the University Council: According to the Hesse Higher Education Act, the University Council and its Financial and Economic Committee – which has final authority on economic matters – serve as supervisory bodies of the university. The University Council consists of eleven members, including one representative from the Hessian Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and the Arts, and ten individuals from academia, business, professional practice, or culture. Five are appointed by the Senate, four by the Executive Board, and one by the University’s Board of Trustees. The University Council has the right to initiate matters of fundamental importance to university development, advises on and oversees academic and financial affairs, and forms from among its members a Financial and Economic Committee. This committee oversees the foundation university’s financial matters, including approval of the annual financial statement, investment planning, the economic plan, and collective bargaining agreements. A representative from Hesse’s Ministry of Finance also sits on the committee.
University Council website
