Fight for education: Hesse is threatening universities with financial ruin and staff cuts!

Fight for education: Hesse is threatening universities with financial ruin and staff cuts!

On July 17, 2025, the Hessian University Pact was signed at the Ministry of Science and Research in Wiesbaden, which provides RheinMain University of Applied Sciences with planning security for the next six years. President Prof. Dr. Eva Waller expressed optimism that reliable planning could be carried out after months of negotiations. But despite the coalition agreement's positive message about adequate financing, the financial framework remains tight. The university has to expect cuts of around ten percent of the overall budget, which particularly affects human resources. Increasing costs are unlikely to be offset by additional funds.

These cuts have far-reaching consequences for universities in Hesse. In a press conference, the Hessian university councils warned of structural underfunding. The planned university pact could lead to a deficit of around one billion euros over the next six years. The expected permanent reduction in personnel of ten percent in science, art and administration is particularly worrying. Science Minister Timon Gremmels presented concrete figures for the university budget, which should be below the 2025 level for 2026 and 2027.

Financial challenges

The universities expect personnel costs to increase annually by over 60 million euros from 2026. However, the “adequate and sustainable financing” promised in the coalition agreement seems a long way off, as the planned annual increases of only 2.12 percent from 2028 are not enough to compensate for the current deficits. By the end of 2031 alone, a deficit of around 167 million euros per year is expected, which could seriously jeopardize the functionality of universities. Professors like Dr. Thomas Nauss warn that the cuts threaten the basic structures of universities.

In order to counteract the critical financial situation, the universities are demanding sustainable improvements in the planning of the university pact. As early as 2025, the universities will have raised a third of the required savings through construction reserves of 475 million euros. The importance of universities for securing skilled workers is emphasized by Prof. Elmar Fulda, who emphasizes that an uncontrolled reduction in research and teaching areas would have devastating consequences for society.

Reassurance of students

Despite the tense financial situation, Prof. Dr. Waller ensures that students can complete their studies in an appropriate environment. “Reliability and commitment to good study conditions are the focus,” said Waller. The university wants to actively promote the necessary structural changes in order to continue to offer a livable academic environment in the future.

In the coming months, crucial discussions will take place that will affect the further development of the university. This will show whether the state government will manage to provide the required financial resources or whether the universities in Hesse will come under further pressure. While interest in universities remains unbroken, they are now faced with the challenge of rethinking their offerings and the number of students given the current financial conditions.

The situation requires quick action and joint commitment from all those involved in order to secure the future of Hessian universities. More information about current developments can be found on the relevant pages: Wiesbaden Current, RheinMain University of Applied Sciences and University of Marburg.