Allegations of abuse of power at the University of Cologne: Accused professor fails in court

Zoom Image

Students at the University of Cologne: The complaint report speaks of a "quasi-feudal relationship of dependence"

Photo: Oliver Berg/ picture alliance / dpa

In the case of a renowned Cologne professor accused of abuse of power, the administrative court has made a decision. In March, the University of Cologne had withdrawn the scientist's authority to issue instructions to 17 doctoral students – the professor had then filed an urgent application and a lawsuit against the official order with the Cologne Administrative Court. However, she failed with the urgent application, as SPIEGEL learned from the court.

The application had been "largely rejected" by a decision of May 15, a court spokesman said. The withdrawal of the authority to issue instructions was "predominantly lawful". In the opinion of the court, the order does not violate the professor's academic freedom, "because her legal status as a university lecturer and chair holder is not affected in itself". According to the decision, the scientist could "continue to accept new doctoral projects", on this point her application had been successful.

The court will also deal with the professor's lawsuit. When a decision will be made is "currently open," the spokesman said.

The background to the case is complaints from several scientists who have been received by the university for a good year and a half. At the time, nine doctoral students, postdocs and former employees had jointly written a nearly 50-page report with numerous allegations.

The report states that the professor insults her doctoral students, insulting them as "stupid", "useless" or "disabled". It is said to require its employees to work more than 80 hours a week. The report speaks of a "quasi-feudal relationship of dependency" and a "climate of fear" at the institute in question. The professor is supposed to make scientifically correct work more difficult by putting pressure on her employees, and she has a "pre-determination with regard to experimental results," it continues. The report also mentions "unpleasant touches" on the part of the professor.

The professor and her lawyer have not yet commented on the specific allegations to SPIEGEL. In an internal e-mail from the professor to the members of the institute, she rejected the accusations, in another e-mail she described the steps taken by the university as an "absurd measure" and the regulations were "inhumane".

With regard to the decision of the administrative court, the professor's lawyer told SPIEGEL that he had appealed against the decision.