Overview

• The proposed Hochschulpakt for 2026–2031 forecasts a deficit of roughly €1 billion across Hessian universities over six years.
• University presidents say the funding gap would force a permanent reduction of about 10 percent in personnel across science, art and administration.
• Students and staff held protests at the University of Kassel and TU Darmstadt after unions Verdi and GEW called for action.
• FDP higher education spokesperson Matthias Büger condemned the plans as a “hochschulpolitische Katastrophe,” accusing the government of underfunding campuses.
• Science minister Timon Gremmels affirmed that free tuition will remain and stressed the need for a sustainable agreement within tight state budget constraints.