Die Rechtsstellung von Mitgliedern der Hochschulleitung nach den Landeshochschulgesetzen: Faktor des Erfolgs oder des Scheiterns?

The rectorate/presidency – including the rector/president, the prorectors/vice-presidents, and the university's chancellor – is the executive organ of a public university. Obviously, personalities matter, and the success a university will partially depend on the management abilities, the strategic concepts, and the charisma of its steering staff. However, does the success or failure also depend on the legal framework regulating status and competences of the rectorate/presidency? The essay analyses the legal status of the members of the executive organ, including the procedures of election and the recall from office, which has gained importance due to constitutional requirements. It discusses whether the legal framework brings influence to bear on the success of a rectorate/presidency managing their university. In particular, the essay illustrates that the misguided reform of the chancellorship, which transformed the former lifetime administrative office into an elected and temporary office, has been detrimental to the recruiting of highly qualified staff, making careers in university administration rather unattractive.