According to the opposition CDU, the five million euros in special aid provided by the state government in the hardship fund for universities to deal with the energy crisis are far from sufficient. The need is many times higher at 20 to 25 million euros: "Five million is nothing more than a nice gesture," said CDU MP Katy Hoffmeister on Thursday in the state parliament in Schwerin.
She complained that there was no information on the criteria according to which the aid should be given. In addition, she renewed the criticism of plans by the Ministry of Science to skim off the reserves of the universities in order to meet their own savings targets. This is tantamount to a fundamental breach of trust. The funds were saved in order to be able to implement important projects on one's own responsibility.
Science Minister Bettina Martin (SPD) rejected the criticism. Everything is being done to ensure that after almost three years of the corona pandemic, studying and teaching can be attended even under the conditions of the energy crisis. "The state government stands by its universities," assured Martin. If the aid announced by the federal government and the five million euros planned by the state are not sufficient, adjustments will be made. "The number is not set in stone," Martin said.
In addition, she made it clear that in view of the generally tense financial situation, the universities would also have to make a contribution to savings. Their reserves have now grown to 136 million. Part of it is intended to be able to react to problem situations. Your department must reduce its spending by a total of 18.3 million euros in 2023. "The universities' reserves did not make my negotiating position with the finance minister any easier," explained Martin.
In addition to the CDU, the AfD, FDP and Greens also criticized the universities' inadequate financial resources and the planned access to their reserves. "The universities have relied on the fact that the reserves can be planned for themselves," said Green MP Hannes Damm.
