The Senate represents all domains of the university. The following persons are members by virtue of their positions: the rector and vice rectors, the head of administration, the legal advisor to the rector, the faculty equal opportunity representative, and the deans of the eleven faculties. The elected members represent the teaching and research faculty of the university, its students, and further staff members. Elected members representing employees serve a four-year term, those representing the students only a one-year term.
The main duty of this permanent senate commission is to oversee the implementation of equal opportunity measures at the University of Freiburg. Additionally, the commission recommends candidates each year for the 5000-euro Bertha Ottenstein Prize (formerly known as the Award for the Promotion of Women).
The Senate Commission on Academic Affairs advises the university mangagment and the Senate in all fundamental questions concerning studies and instruction as well as on the university’s instructional profile, including the establishment of a comprehensive system for quality assurance and quality management for instruction and the awarding of teaching prizes. In particular, the commission is responsible for making recommendations on the establishment, modification, and termination of degree programs as well as the regulations governing degree programs and examinations.
The Subcommittee of the Permanent Senate Commission on Academic Affairs deals with study and examination regulations.
The duty of the Committee on Media Development and Practice is to guarantee advising on fundamental questions concerning the university’s information infrastructure (especially the libraries, electronic communication, and the University Archive), information processing, communication technology, and media development.
The Commission for Strategic Planning and Development is a permanent advisory commission of the Senate that prepares decisions on plans concerning the structure and development of the faculties and the university as a whole. The commission advises the Senate and the university management on all questions concerning the promotion and development of the university’s research profile.