Rules of Procedures... 2

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1 Table of Contents 1 Rules of Procedures Rules of Procedure of the Board of AQ Austria Rules of Procedure of the Appeals Committee Rules of Procedure of the General Meeting and the Governing Committee... 10

2 1 Rules of Procedures 1.1 Rules of Procedure of the Board of AQ Austria Rules of Procedure of the Board of the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation pursuant to section 9 para. 3 of the Act on Quality Assurance in Higher Education (Hochschul- Qualitätssicherungsgesetz, HS-QSG), Federal Law Gazette I 2011/74, adopted in the Board meeting of 16 January, 2012 Preamble Pursuant to section 9 para. 3 HS-QSG, the Board has to adopt Rules of Procedure which ensure fulfilment of the responsibilities assigned to it, of the responsibilities assigned to the Appeals Committee and to the Management Office as well as of other responsibilities of the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria. The Rules of Procedure shall also govern details on the organisation of the Management Office. Therefore, the Board adopts the following Rules of Procedure for itself, which ensure fulfilment of the responsibilities assigned to it pursuant to the HS-QSG, the Private Universities Act (Privatuniversitätengesetz, PUG) and the University of Applied Sciences Studies Act (Fachhochschulstudiengesetz, FHStG). The organisation of the Management Office and the procedures of the Appeals Committee are governed in by supplementary rules. Article 1 Head of the Board The Board shall elect a President as well as a Vice President from amongst its members. The election shall be announced no later than two weeks prior to the election date. The election shall be effective as soon as at least ten votes are cast for one candidate. The voting shall be carried out by secret ballot if a member makes a motion to that effect. The President shall head the Board and the Management Office and represent the Agency to external bodies. (3) The President may permanently delegate individual responsibilities to the Managing Directors. These responsibilities shall be defined in the Rules of Procedure of the Management Office. (4) If the President is temporarily unavailable, the Vice President shall fill in for him/her. If the Vice President is also unavailable, the oldest Board member shall fill in for him/her. 2/15

3 (5) The President and the Vice President can be removed from office if at least five Board members file a motion to that effect. Ten votes are required to pass a resolution for removal. (6) In the event of permanent unavailability, removal or resignation of the President or Vice President, a re-election shall take place without delay. Article 2 Convening of meetings Board meetings (plenary sessions) shall be convened in writing by the President at least twice a year, with the preliminary agenda being announced. Meetings shall be convened at least two weeks in advance. A meeting shall also be convened if at least five Board members file a motion to that effect, with the agenda being announced. (3) The meetings shall not be open to the public and the topics discussed shall be kept confidential. Opinions voiced by individual members and their voting behaviour must not be brought to the attention of third parties or the public. Article 3 Chair and organisation of meetings The meetings shall be chaired by the President. He/she shall determine the order of reports and issues to be discussed on the basis of the agenda, give the floor to the individual members, determine the quorum and proclaim the Board s resolutions. The Board may provide for the possibility to hold virtual conferences. In that case, the provisions required for a proper procedure shall be laid down in a supplement to the Rules of Procedure. (3) The Managing Directors shall be entitled to participate in the meetings. Other members of the Management Office may be asked to participate in the meeting or may be called in on individual agenda items. Article 4 Agenda The President shall draft the preliminary agenda. It shall be adopted at the beginning of the meeting. In any case, the agenda shall include the following items: ascertaining a quorum, adoption of the minutes of the previous meeting, report of the President, other reports, any other business. 3/15

4 (3) Each Board member may file a written motion for including items defined by him/her into the agenda at least one week prior to the meeting. The members shall be notified of the amended preliminary agenda without delay. It is permissible to add items to the agenda during the meeting by passing a resolution to that effect. (4) A decision on accreditations or certifications pursuant to Article 9 para 1 no. 1 HS-QSG must not be included in the agenda, unless this procedure has already been on the preliminary agenda. (5) With respect to individual agenda items, informants may be invited upon resolution of the Board or upon request of the President. The informants shall be sworn to secrecy. Article 5 Debate The President shall open the debate on each item on the agenda. Usually, he/she shall give the floor to the members in the same order as they make their statements. As soon as a motion to close the debate has been adopted, no more requests to speak shall be permitted; the floor shall remain with the member who requested to speak before the motion was filed. The President and/or the member filing the motion shall have the right to reply and/or voice a final statement, if they so request. (3) In a plenary session, the members can decide on a general and a special restriction of speaking time or the number of requests to speak on each subject. Article 6 Passing of resolutions The Board shall have a quorum if at least ten members are present in person. A resolution shall be passed if at least eight members vote in favour of a motion. The voting right shall be exercised in person. It is not permitted to transfer one s right to vote. As a rule, resolutions are passed by open ballot. Article 7 Circular resolutions Matters that need not be discussed specifically or urgent matters that seem to warrant the passing of a resolution prior to the next meeting can be voted on by way of circular resolution initiated by the President. At least one week s time shall be allowed to submit a response. The motion must be filed in writing (electronically or on paper) and contain a rationale. It must be worded in such a way that it can be voted on in favour or against. 4/15

5 (3) A resolution shall be passed if at least eight members have voted in favour of the motion within the specified time period. No resolution shall be passed if only one single member requests a discussion or a modified version of the motion. In that case, the matter shall be put on the agenda for the next meeting. (4) Decisions on accreditations and certifications pursuant to section 9 para. 1 no. 1 HS-QSG cannot be taken by way of circular resolution. (5) The members shall be notified of the voting results in the next meeting. Section 8 Setting up of committees The Board can decide to set up standing and temporary committees and define their responsibilities. The committees may call in external experts. Those experts shall be sworn to secrecy. The committee shall elect a chairperson amongst its members. The chairperson of the committee shall report to the Board on the committee's activities on a regular basis. (3) The Board may issue separate Rules of Procedure for the committees. Otherwise, the Board s Rules of Procedure shall apply to the committees by analogy. Article 9 Prejudice of a member The grounds for prejudice defined by section 7 of the General Administrative Procedure Act (Allgemeines Verwaltungsgesetz; AVG) shall apply to the members. In case of doubt, the Board shall decide on whether a ground for prejudice exists. In any case, prejudice shall be presumed if a member declares to be prejudiced. A prejudiced member shall leave the meeting for as long as the respective matter is discussed. Article 10 Minutes of meeting Minutes shall be taken at each Board meeting. The minutes may be drawn up by the Management Office. The minutes shall reflect the outcome of the meeting. In any case, it shall indicate the names of the members present, the motions filed and the resolutions passed as well as the result of the votes, including the breakdown of votes. The contents of the reports and debates shall only be reflected to the extent that seems necessary to understand the resolutions taken. 5/15

6 (3) The minutes shall be signed by the President as well as the keeper of the minutes and shall be sent to the members together with the invitation to the next meeting at the latest. It may allow a specified period of time for submitting objections in writing. In such case, the minutes shall be deemed adopted if no objections are raised within the specified period. If no time period has been specified for raising objections in writing, any objections to the minutes shall be raised in the following meeting. Article 11 Remuneration The members of the Board perform their responsibilities in addition to their regular occupations. The members are entitled to receive remuneration for their work, the amount of which shall be approved by the competent Federal Minister pursuant to section 7 para. 6 HS- QSG, and are to be reimbursed for their travel expenses. They shall be entitled to receive attendance fees only if they stay from the beginning of a meeting to its end. The President shall decide on any substantiated exceptions. (3) Applications for attendance fees and the reimbursement of travel expenses shall be filed within two weeks after the meeting. Article 12 Amendments of the Rules of Procedure Amendments of the Rules of Procedure can be adopted by eight Board members voting in favour. They shall be presented to the General Meeting for a statement. Article 13 Entry into force In order to put the Board in the position to act, these Rules of Procedure shall enter into force upon the Board's resolution. Pursuant to section 12 para. 1 no. 3 HS-QSG, the Rules of Procedure shall be provided to the General Meeting for a statement. 6/15

7 1.2 Rules of Procedure of the Appeals Committee Ergänzung zur Geschäftsordnung des Board vom 16. Jänner 2012 Beschlossen in der 9. Sitzung des Board am 14. Dezember 2012 (Berichtigte Version vom ) Geschäftsordnung der Beschwerdekommission Präambel Das Board der Agentur für Qualitätssicherung und Akkreditierung Austria (AQ Austria) beschließt gemäß 9 Abs. 1 Z 7 ivm 13 Abs. 11 Hochschul-Qualitätssicherungsgesetz, BGBl I 2011/74, (HS-QSG), die folgende Geschäftsordnung der Beschwerdekommission 1 Aufgaben und Ziele Die Beschwerdekommission behandelt und entscheidet über Einsprüche von Bildungseinrichtungen, die 1. im Rahmen von Audits ( 22 HS-QSG): gegen den Verfahrensablauf, gegen Zertifizierungsentscheidungen, wegen Unrichtigkeit des Ergebnisberichts 2. im Rahmen von Akkreditierungsverfahren von Fachhochschul-Einrichtungen und Fachhochschul-Studiengängen ( 23 HS-QSG) und von Privatuniversitäten und Studien von Privatuniversitäten ( 24 HS-QSG): gegen den Verfahrensablauf, soweit diese nicht die im Rahmen eines Rechtsmittels geltend zu machende Beweiswürdigung betreffen, 3. im Rahmen von Qualitätssicherungsverfahren an ausländischen Hochschulen, die zu einer formalen Entscheidung des Board führen ( 9 Abs 1 Z 14 HS-QSG): gegen den Verfahrensablauf gegen die abschließende Entscheidung des Board vorgebracht werden. Ziel der Beschwerdekommission ist die Sicherstellung eines fairen Verfahrensablaufs. Sie vermittelt in Fällen, in denen sich die Bildungseinrichtung in ihren Interessen verletzt sieht und wirkt auf eine einvernehmliche Lösung hin. (3) Die Beschwerde an die Beschwerdekommission ist kein Rechtsmittel im Sinne des Allgemeinen Verwaltungsverfahrensgesetz 1991 (AVG), BGBl. Nr. 51/1991 (WV) idgf. Die der Bildungseinrichtung in Akkreditierungsverfahren gemäß AVG zustehenden Rechte werden durch die Beschwerde an die Beschwerdekommission nicht berührt. (4) Beschwerden während laufender Audit- oder Akkreditierungsverfahren hindern die Fortführung des Verfahrens nicht. 2 Zusammensetzung und Vorsitz Die Beschwerdekommission besteht aus den von der Generalversammlung gemäß 13 Abs. 3 HS-QSG nominierten und bestellten Mitgliedern und Ersatzmitgliedern. 7/15

8 Die Ersatzmitglieder vertreten Mitglieder der Beschwerdekommission im Fall ihrer Befangenheit oder vorübergehenden Verhinderung. Die beiden Ersatzmitglieder nehmen die Vertretung abwechselnd wahr. Ist auch das demnach zur Vertretung berufene Ersatzmitglied verhindert, ist das andere Ersatzmitglied zu laden. (3) Im Fall des Ausscheidens oder der Abberufung eines Mitglieds der Beschwerdekommission rückt ein Ersatzmitglied bis zur Neubestellung eines Mitglieds vorübergehend in die Beschwerdekommission ein, wobei das inländische Mitglied durch das inländische Ersatzmitglied und das ausländische Mitglied durch das ausländische Ersatzmitglied ersetzt wird. (4) Die Beschwerdekommission wählt aus ihrem Kreis eine Vorsitzende bzw. einen Vorsitzenden und eine Stellvertreterin bzw. einen Stellvertreter. 3 Sitzungen Die Beschwerdekommission hält ihre Sitzungen im Bedarfsfall ab. Die/der Vorsitzende beruft die Sitzungen und leitet diese. Die Sitzungen der Beschwerdekommission sind nicht öffentlich. Die Mitglieder der Beschwerdekommission sind zur Verschwiegenheit verpflichtet. Die Verschwiegenheitspflicht gilt auch gegenüber anderen Organen der AQ Austria mit Ausnahme der in 8 Abs. 5, 10 Abs. 3 und 11 Abs. 1 vorgesehenen Informationsrechte des Boards. (3) Vertreter/innen der Geschäftsstelle können den Sitzungen in beratender Funktion beigezogen werden. Über die Sitzungen ist ein Ergebnisprotokoll zu erstellen, welches von der/dem Vorsitzenden zu unterfertigen ist. Das Protokoll wird von der Geschäftsstelle erstellt. 4 Beschlussfähigkeit Die Beschwerdekommission ist beschlussfähig, wenn drei Mitglieder (bzw. Ersatzmitglieder) anwesend sind. Sie fasst ihre Beschlüsse mit einfacher Mehrheit. In dringenden Fällen oder in Angelegenheiten, die keiner Beratung bedürfen, kann die/der Vorsitzende eine Beschlussfassung im Umlaufweg vorschlagen. Der Beschluss kommt nicht zustande, wenn ein Mitglied eine Beratung des Gegenstandes verlangt. 5 Befangenheit Für die Mitglieder der Beschwerdekommission gelten die Befangenheitsgründe des 7 AVG. Im Zweifelsfall entscheidet die Beschwerdekommission über das Vorliegen eines Befangenheitsgrundes. Eine Befangenheit ist jedenfalls anzunehmen, wenn ein Mitglied sich für befangen erklärt. Ein befangenes Mitglied hat sich der Behandlung des entsprechenden Gegenstandes zu enthalten und wird von einem Ersatzmitglied vertreten. 8 Zulässigkeit und Einbringung der Beschwerde Die Beschwerde kann nur von der unmittelbar vom Audit/Akkreditierungsverfahren oder der Zertifizierungsentscheidung betroffenen Bildungseinrichtung erhoben werden. Die Beschwerde ist von dem für die beschwerdeführende Bildungseinrichtung zur Vertretung nach außen befugten Organ schriftlich bei der Geschäftsstelle der AQ Austria einzubringen. 8/15

9 (3) Die Beschwerde gegen den Verfahrensablauf von Audits und Akkreditierungsverfahren kann zu jedem Zeitpunkt des Verfahrens eingebracht werden. Einsprüche gegen Ergebnisberichte und Zertifizierungsentscheidungen in Audits sind binnen einer Frist von drei Monaten nach Abschluss des Verfahrens einzubringen. (4) Die beschwerdeführende Bildungseinrichtung hat in der Beschwerde anzuführen, in welchen Interessen sie sich verletzt erachtet und dies zu begründen. (5) Die Geschäftsstelle leitet die Beschwerde unverzüglich an die/den Vorsitzende/n der Beschwerdekommission weiter und informiert das Board der AQ Austria über die Beschwerde. 9 Prüfung der Zulässigkeit Die Beschwerdekommission prüft die Zulässigkeit der Beschwerde und weist gegebenenfalls die Beschwerde zurück. 10 Verfahren Die/der Vorsitzende entscheidet, ob die Behandlung der Beschwerde im Schriftweg möglich ist oder ob es einer Sitzung der Beschwerdekommission bedarf. In diesem Fall beruft die/der Vorsitzende ehemöglichst eine Sitzung ein. Die Beschwerdekommission kann die beschwerdeführende Bildungseinrichtung zu einem Gespräch einladen. Sie kann im Einvernehmen mit der beschwerdeführenden Bildungseinrichtung auch eine Anhörung Dritter durchführen. Falls erforderlich, kann die Beschwerdekommission eine fachliche Stellungnahme Dritter zur Bewertung strittiger Sachverhalte im Wege über die Geschäftsstelle einholen. (3) Dem Board der AQ Austria ist Gelegenheit zu geben, zur Beschwerde Stellung zu nehmen. (4) Der beschwerdeführenden Bildungseinrichtung ist Gelegenheit zu geben, sich zum Ergebnis der Ermittlungen zu äußern. 11 Ergebnis des Verfahrens Die Beschwerdekommission berichtet dem Board der AQ und der beschwerdeführenden Bildungseinrichtung über das Ergebnis ihrer Ermittlungen und schlägt gegebenenfalls Maßnahmen zur Problemlösung vor. Die Entscheidung bzw. Rechtsansicht der Beschwerdekommission ist für das Board der AQ Austria nicht bindend. Das Board hat der Beschwerdekommission gegenüber zu begründen, wenn es deren Empfehlungen nicht Folge leistet. 12 Inkrafttreten Diese die Geschäftsordnung des Boards ergänzende Geschäftsordnung der Geschäftsstelle tritt mit Beschlussfassung durch das Board in Kraft. Die Geschäftsordnung ist gemäß 12 Abs. 1 Z 3 HS-QSG der Generalversammlung zur Stellungnahme zu übermitteln. 9/15

10 1.3 Rules of Procedure of the General Meeting and the Governing Committee Rules of Procedure of the General Meeting and the Governing Committee pursuant to section 12 para. 6 of the Act on Quality Assurance in Higher Education (Hochschul-Qualitätssicherungsgesetz, HS-QSG) Resolution of the General Meeting of 7 November 2011 Amendments made on 25 November 2011 and 21 May 2012 Article 1 General Meeting The General Meeting (GM) is constituted in accordance with section 11 of the Act on Quality Assurance in Higher Education (Hochschul-Qualitätssicherungsgesetz, HS-QSG). Pursuant to section 11 para. 4 HS-QSG, the term of office for members is five years, and members can be re-appointed. The members are nominated by the institutions specified in section 11 para. 1 HS-QSG and appointed by the competent Federal Minister of Science and Research. A nomination shall be made no later than one month prior to the expiration of the term of the member concerned; if a member is removed prematurely, no later than one month after the removal has been announced. (3) Women shall make up 45% of the GM. This percentage may be lower if there are substantial reasons for not reaching it (section 4 para. 3 HS-QSG). (4) If a member of the GM has grossly violated or neglected his/her obligations or if he/she is no longer able to fulfil his/her responsibilities, this shall be determined by the GM by resolution. In that case, the competent Federal Minister shall remove the member upon the GM s motion or after hearing the GM, pursuant to section 11 para. 5 HS-QSG. Article 2 Governing Committee Pursuant to section 5 HS-QSG, the Governing Committee consists of five members who shall pursuant to section 12 HS-QSG be elected from amongst the members of the General Meeting (cf. Article 8 of the Rules of Procedure). Women shall make up 45% of the Governing Committee. This percentage may be lower if there are substantial reasons for not reaching it (section 4 para. 3 HS-QSG). (3) If a member of the Governing Committee has grossly violated or neglected his/her obligations or if he/she is no longer able to fulfil his/her responsibilities, this shall be determined by the GM by resolution. In that case, the Chairperson of the GM will remove the member from office prematurely upon the GM s motion. Article 3 Chair of the General Meeting and the Governing Board and election of chairpersons Pursuant to section 12 para. 3 HS-QSG, the GM shall elect a chairperson from amongst its members. The GM shall elect a deputy chairperson from amongst its members. 10/15

11 (3) To this end, each member of the GM can nominate other persons or himself/herself for the position of chairperson. If several persons have been nominated, the GM shall elect a person by secret ballot by a simple majority of the valid votes cast. (4) The chairperson or in case of his/her unavailability, the deputy chairperson shall chair the GM, represent it both internally and externally and shall ensure the execution of resolutions. (5) Pursuant to section 5 para. 3 HS-QSG, the members of the Governing Committee shall elect a chairperson. Like the GM, they shall elect a chairperson and a deputy chairperson according to the applicable procedure. (6) The chairperson or in case of his/her unavailability, the deputy chairperson shall chair the Governing Committee, represent it both internally and externally and shall ensure the execution of resolutions. Article 4 Meetings of the General Meeting and the Governing Committee Meetings of the General Meeting and the Governing Committee shall take place whenever required, but at least twice a year. The meetings of the Governing Committee shall be prepared and convened by the chairperson. All members shall be invited to the meetings at least two weeks in advance in writing by fax or (sent to the fax number or address provided to the chairperson by the member), with a preliminary agenda being attached. (3) Pursuant to section 5 para. 2 no. 3 HS-QSG, the meetings of the General Meeting shall be prepared and convened by the Governing Committee. All members shall be invited to the meetings at least two weeks in advance in writing by fax or (sent to the fax number or address provided to the chairperson by the member), with a preliminary agenda being attached. (4) The dates for meetings of the Governing Committee and the General Meeting shall be scheduled by the Governing Committee. (5) The meetings of the Governing Committee and the General Meeting shall not be open to the public. (6) Valid resolutions regarding the statutory tasks of the Governing Committee (cf. section 5 para. 2 HS-QSG) and/or the GM (cf. section 6 para. 1 nos. 1-3 HS-QSG) can only be passed if they were included in the preliminary agenda. Other motions regarding the agenda shall be filed with the chairperson in writing by fax or at least one week before the meeting of the Governing Committee and/or the GM. Any documents on which a resolution is to be passed shall be provided to the members no later than one week prior to the meeting. (7) Notwithstanding para. 6, emergency resolutions shall be allowed with a two-third majority of the vote. Decisions on nominations must not be taken by way of emergency resolutions. (8) The Governing Committee shall have a quorum if at least three of its members are present in person. It is allowed to transfer one s right to vote to another member of the Governing Committee. Pursuant to section 12 para. 5 HS-QSG, the GM has a quorum if at least 15 of its members are present in person. It is allowed to transfer one s right to vote to another member of the GM. 11/15

12 (9) The Governing Committee and the GM shall take their resolutions by a simple majority. Simple majority shall mean a quorum comprising more than 50% of the votes cast. In the event of an equality of votes, the chairperson shall have the casting vote. Unless a member requests a secret ballot, the voting shall take place by open ballot. As regards the nomination of student representatives and practitioners from professional practice for the Board, the GM shall decide by a two-third majority, pursuant to section 7 para. 2 HS- QSG. (10) The transfer of voting rights pursuant to para. 8 shall be effected in writing, potentially also by fax or , to the chairperson of the GM, or in case of meetings of the Governing Committee, to the chairperson of the Governing Committee. (11) Representatives of the Board, the Managing Director as well as other representatives of the Management Office can attend meetings of the Governing Committee and/or the GM upon invitation of the chairperson of the Governing Committee and/or the GM. In addition, other informants or experts that have been invited can attend and provide advice. (12) Minutes on the outcome of the meetings of the Governing Committee and/or the GM shall be drawn up. If the Governing Committee and/or the GM so request, these minutes can be drawn up by an employee of the Management Office. Pursuant to Article 4 para. 6, the minutes shall be presented to the respective body for approval in the next meeting. Each member of the GM and/or the Governing Committee has the right to request that separate minutes be taken of the vote on a certain topic. (13) Meetings of the GM and/or the Governing Committee shall be chaired by the respective chairperson, and in case of his/her unavailability, by his/her deputy. If the deputy chairperson is also unavailable, the oldest member of the GM or the Governing Committee present shall take the chair. Article 5 Taking resolutions outside of meetings Resolutions on individual matters may also be taken by circular resolution, unless a member of the Governing Committee or the GM opposes such procedure. At least one week s time shall be allowed for the vote. A report on a circular resolution shall be prepared immediately after it was taken. Nominations and elections within the meaning of Article 7 para. 2 nos. 1 and 2 cannot be carried out by way of a circular resolution. Article 6 Reporting Resolutions of the Governing Committee shall be reported to the GM, the Board and if so required by law to the competent Federal Minister by the chairperson or, if he/she is unavailable, by his/her deputy or a person authorised by him/her in an appropriate manner. Resolutions of the GM shall be reported to the Board and if so required by law to the competent Federal Minister by the chairperson or, if he/she is unavailable, by his/her deputy or a person authorised by him/her in an appropriate manner. Article 7 Responsibilities Pursuant to section 5 para. 2 HS-QSG, the responsibilities of the Governing Committee include 12/15

13 statements a) on the guidelines, standards, and processes of the quality assurance procedures; b) on the financial plan and financial statements; c) on the activity report; d) on the Rules of Procedure of the General Meeting; e) on posting job vacancies and recruiting employees and the Managing Director and his/her deputy; submitting a proposal to the competent Federal Minister for the appointment of a statutory auditor pursuant to section 16 HS-QSG; preparing and convening the meetings of the General Meeting and reporting to the General Meeting. Pursuant to section 12 para. 1 HS-QSG, the responsibilities of the GM include 1. the election of the five Governing Committee members pursuant to section 5 para. 1 HS-QSG; the nomination of ten Board members pursuant to section 7 para. 2 HS-QSG and the nomination of three members as well as two alternate members of the Appeals Committee pursuant to section 13 para. 3 HS-QSG; the acknowledgement of the financial plan, financial statements and the activity report as well as the statement on the Rules of Procedure of the Board pursuant to section 12 para. 1 no. 3 HS-QSG. Article 8 Appointment of Governing Committee members Pursuant to section 5 para. 1 HS-QSG, the five members of the Governing Committee shall be elected from the members of the GM. Pursuant to section 12 para. 2 HS-QSG, one member each shall be elected from amongst the representatives of uniko (Universities Austria), FHK (Association of Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences) and ÖPUK (Austrian Private Universities Conference). One representative each shall be elected from amongst the student representatives and from amongst the representatives of the members nominated by the Advisory Council for Economic and Social Affairs. The election can be waived if only one person of the relevant organisation makes himself/herself available for this position. (3) The term of office for members of the Governing Committee shall be five years, and members can be re-appointed. (4) If a member of the Governing Committee resigns before the term of office has expired, a new member shall be elected pursuant to the provisions of Article 8 para. 2 for the remainder of the term. Article 9 Nomination of Board members Pursuant to section 6 para. 2 HS-QSG, members of the Federal Government or any provincial government, members of the National Council, the Federal Council or any other general representative body and officials of a political party or an institution represented in the GM as well as persons who have executed such functions in the past four years, and employees of the federal ministries competent for higher education institutions must not be on the Board. Pursuant to section 4 para. 3 HS-QSG, women shall make up 45% of the Board. This percentage may be lower if there are substantial reasons for not reaching it. 13/15

14 (3) Pursuant to section 7 para. 3 HS-QSG, the term of office for members of the Board is five years, and members can be re-appointed once. After the HS-QSG has come into force, the first term of office for half of the members shall be three years, pursuant to section 6 para. 1 nos. 1 to 3. When the members of the GM prepare their proposals for election they shall, pursuant to Article 9 paras. 4-6 of these Rules of Procedure, indicate who shall be elected for a three-year term and who for a five-year term. (4) Pursuant to section 6 para. 1 no. 1 HS-QSG, four of the nominees shall have expertise in the field of higher education, academic qualifications and experience in the field of quality assurance. They also must represent different higher education sectors. At least half of the members shall come from abroad and shall have gained relevant multi-year professional experience abroad. The following electoral procedure shall be applied (overall proposal): 1. All members of the GM can submit a proposal for these four persons. 2. Only those proposals will be valid that are in line with the formal criteria (cf. Article 9 paras 1, 2 and 4 of the Rules of Procedure). One person can be included in several election proposals. 3. The GM shall decide on one proposal by a simple majority. If there is no simple majority for a proposal in the first ballot, only the proposal with the highest number of votes in relative terms shall be voted on in the second ballot. (5) Pursuant to section 6 para. 1 no. 2 HS-QSG, two of the nominees shall be student representatives, with one member coming from abroad. The following electoral procedure shall be applied (overall proposal): 1. All members of the GM can submit a proposal for these two persons. 2. Only those proposals will be valid that are in line with the formal criteria (cf. Article 9 paras 1, 2 and 5 of the Rules of Procedure). One person can be included in several election proposals. 3. Pursuant to section 7 para. 2 HS-QSG, the GM shall decide on a proposal by a twothird majority. If there is no two-third majority for a proposal in the first ballot, only the proposal with the highest number of votes in relative terms shall be voted on in the second ballot. (6) Pursuant to section 6 para. 1 no. 3 HS-QSG, four of the nominees shall be appointed from the field of professional practice. They shall have knowledge of the national and international higher education systems and experience in professional fields that are relevant for higher education institutions. In addition, they must be able to assess quality assurance matters and be able to contribute to the Agency s fulfilling its responsibilities based on their excellent expertise and experience. The following electoral procedure shall be applied (overall proposal): 1. All members of the GM can submit a proposal for these four persons. 2. Only those proposals will be valid that are in line with the formal criteria (cf. Article 9 paras 1, 2 and 6 of the Rules of Procedure). One person can be included in several election proposals. 3. Pursuant to section 7 para. 2 HS-QSG, the GM shall decide on a proposal by a twothird majority. If there is no two-third majority for a proposal in the first ballot, only the proposal with the highest number of votes in relative terms shall be voted on in the second ballot. 14/15

15 Article 10 Appointment of Appeals Committee members Pursuant to section 13 para. 2 HS-QSG, the Appeals Committee shall consist of two Austrian members and one foreign member with expertise in the field of quality assurance in higher education and legal qualifications. In addition, it shall consist of two alternate members, one of which shall be appointed from abroad and one from Austria. Pursuant to section 4 para. 3 HS-QSG, women shall make up 45% of the Appeals Committee. (3) Pursuant to section 13 para. 4, the members of the Appeals Committee must not belong to any other body of the Agency. In exercising their functions they are not bound by any instructions. (4) Pursuant to section 13 para. 5 HS-QSG, the term of office for members of the Appeals Committee is three years, and members can be re-appointed. After the HS-QSG has come into force, the first term of office of one Austrian member shall be two years. When the members of the GM prepare their proposals for election pursuant to Article 10 para. 5 of these Rules of Procedure they shall indicate which Austrian member should be elected for a two-year term only. (5) The following electoral procedure shall be applied (overall proposal): 1. All members of the GM can submit a proposal for these five persons. 2. Only those proposals will be valid that are in line with the formal criteria of Article 10 paras The GM shall decide on one proposal by a simple majority. If there is no simple majority for a proposal in the first ballot, only the proposal with the highest number of votes in relative terms shall be voted on in the second ballot. Article 11 Amendments of the Rules of Procedure Amendments require a two-third majority of the votes cast. 15/15