In the summer semester of 2014, the Presidential Board of Paderborn University adopted the new >family paragraph< for the study and examination regulations. It is to be successively integrated into all study and examination regulations. The faculties are recommended to implement the provisions of the >family paragraph< as soon as the resolution has been passed.
The >family paragraph< regulates the following points:
a) Completion of coursework and examinations
Students with family responsibilities have the option of completing coursework and examinations within an extended processing time or, in exceptional cases, in another form (e.g. expectant mothers for practical/experimental examinations and if the requirements of Section 9 of the Maternity Protection Act are met). The prerequisite here is that the assessment of success is also possible through the other form of delivery. The submission deadline for Bachelor's and Master's theses may be extended in individual cases, usually to a maximum of twice the planned completion time.
b) Maternity protection periods
The maternity protection periods interrupt any deadline according to the examination regulations or according to the special provisions; the duration of maternity protection is not included in the deadline. The deadline for submitting a thesis is suspended for the maternity protection period and then continues to run, i.e. it is extended by the maternity protection period. Students who are on maternity leave during the examination periods must declare in writing that they waive their maternity leave for the examination date(s). However, they can then withdraw from examinations during the maternity protection period until immediately before the start of the examination.
c) Illness of the child
The illness of a child within the meaning of Section 25 (5) of the Federal Training Assistance Act (Bundesausbildungsf?rderungsgesetz), as evidenced by a medical certificate, is deemed to be the candidate's inability to take the examination if care could not be guaranteed in any other way, especially if the child is predominantly cared for alone.
Further information on the >Family paragraph< can be found in this document.
It is important to the university management that teaching staff are sensitive to the special circumstances of students with children and are aware of the particular challenges of balancing studies and parenthood.
In special situations (e.g. illness of the childminder, restrictions on childcare in the daycare center, the child is still being breastfed), it may be necessary for a parent to take a child to a course because otherwise participation would not be possible. However, it is not a matter of course that children may be brought along. Depending on the child's age, temperament and current state of mind, it is possible that it could disrupt the course.
Many teachers are open to bringing children to events. However, participation must always be agreed in advance - as early as possible - with the teachers. It should also be checked whether the use of the university's childcare services, such as the PUKi short-term and emergency childcare service, could solve the childcare problem.
Students can apply for a semester off due to pregnancy, childcare or to care for a relative. The application can be submitted electronically via PAUL > Studies > Study organization > My applications (for the summer semester by 21.03 and for the winter semester by 21.09).
Students who are on leave of absence due to raising children or caring for a close relative are entitled to take coursework and examinations. If no coursework and examinations are completed, the semester will be counted as a university semester. If coursework and examinations are completed during the semester of leave, the semester will be counted retrospectively as a semester of study. Leave of absence due to childcare is possible as long as the child has not started school. The application must be submitted by the deadline each semester and uploaded via PAUL together with the relevant supporting documents.
The Family Service Office offers individual advice on the question of whether a semester of leave makes sense in the given situation or whether it should be avoided.
Semester fees are also incurred for a semester of leave, which vary depending on the reason for the leave of absence. If the semester ticket is not required during the leave of absence, the mobility fee can be refunded. The application for reimbursement must also be submitted via PAUL > Studies > Study organization > My applications. The application and the semester ticket itself must be returned before the start of the semester of leave. Further information can be found on the AStA website.
The BAf?G office must be informed about a leave of absence, as there is no entitlement to BAf?G during a leave of absence for the reasons mentioned above.
You can also find further information on the subject of leave of absence on the following page.
The following information can be found in the framework plan for gender equality at Paderborn University:
(3.3.1) Paderborn University works within its means to ensure that pregnancy, parenthood and the care of dependent relatives do not have a negative impact on studies and graduation. This is regulated by a family paragraph in the examination regulations. The university endeavours to organize the courses offered in such a way that they can also be completed as part-time studies and that attendance and distance learning can be combined.
(3.3.2) Examination-relevant courses, in particular compulsory courses, should be scheduled in such a way that participation can be reconciled with childcare.
These regulations can be found under point 3.3 Studying and parenthood or care. You can read the complete framework plan here.
Information on parental leave can be found on the following page.
