Berlin universities in crisis: austerity plans threaten the future of education!

Berlin universities in crisis: austerity plans threaten the future of education!

The Free University of Berlin (FU) is planning a week of action from June 23rd to 29th, 2025 to protest against the impending budget cuts in Berlin science. In a creative approach, the university will drop the letter “E” from its official communications. This letter symbolizes “savings” and missing “Euros” that are triggered by the Berlin Senate’s plans. Prof. Dr. Günter M. Ziegler, President of the FU, emphasizes that the cuts of up to 37 million euros in 2025 will not only mean financial bottlenecks, but will also seriously endanger teaching, research and young scientists.

In total, the amount of the proposed cuts in Berlin amounts to around 250 million euros, which poses significant challenges for universities. These structural savings are not limited to this year but are expected to continue in the coming years. Events such as the Summer Festival, the CampusRun, the International Month and the Long Night of Science are used to draw attention to the precarious financial circumstances.

The consequences for Berlin universities

The effects of the budget cuts are already evident at various Berlin universities. At the University of the Arts (UdK) there is a general freeze on vacant positions, both in teaching and administration. At the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (BHT), all vacant positions are critically examined. The Humboldt University (HU) is also affected: a “structural consolidation process” was initiated here, which led to the decision not to fill certain professorships again. The Technical University (TU) is already expressing concern about possible “devastating” impacts on study places and research projects, as well as a lack of funding for student training.

So far it is unclear exactly how much universities will have to save and in which areas the cuts will specifically take place. Negotiations about the budget situation of Berlin's universities are underway. The aim is to conclude these discussions by the middle of the year. There is talk of a savings target of around 100 million euros, with an eight percent limit on consumer spending. The Free University is faced with a deficit of 41 million euros.

Strategic reserves and their importance

Although the FU has reserves, these are intended for long-term investments in the building structure and not as a short-term solution. These include important projects such as the renovation of dilapidated buildings, the modernization of the technical infrastructure and the implementation of climate protection measures. A large proportion of the reserves are legally tied, which means that using these funds for other purposes could seriously jeopardize the long-term future of the university.

The reserves are not intended as a savings account for bad times, as they are mainly planned for strategic developments such as new study programs and research clusters. Therefore, short-term use of these funds could cause long-term problems. The university construction company is being discussed as a possible alternative to financing construction and renovation projects, although this is associated with uncertainty about the financing of loans.

This complex situation highlights the challenges facing Berlin universities. The action week at the FU will be an important step in raising awareness of the financial difficulties and their impact on education. The pressure on political decision-makers to find sustainable solutions is increasing.

Further details about the cuts and their impact are available on the Free University of Berlin website to find. Also rbb24 provides detailed information about the situation and the reactions of the universities. The situation remains tense and the coming weeks could be crucial for the future of Berlin's higher education landscape.