Equal opportunities office of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam

Gendering is about not only "joining in" but making all genders linguistically visible (and audible). The fact that images are created in our heads through language, but that they can also be broken up and actions changed as a result, is one of the most important arguments for gender-appropriate language.

The FHP recognises this in § 9 of the basic regulations. Here it is stipulated that gender-equitable language is used at the FHP in "general correspondence and in legal and administrative regulations".

There are different variants of gender-appropriate language. We use the gender star, which also includes all those who do not find themselves in the binary system of man/woman. Further information and practical tips can be found in our publication MitSprache.

Further information:

• Gender dictionary

It is part of the self-image of gender equality work at the FHP that gender identities go beyond the binary of man and woman. The equal opportunities office represents the interests of LGBTIQ+, actively supported the "Queer Brandenburg" action plan passed by the Brandenburg state parliament in 2016 and is also involved in the monitoring committee of the new "Action Plan for Acceptance of Gender and Sexual Diversity, for Self-Determination and against Homophobia and Transphobia in Brandenburg".

Naming of trans persons at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam
Since the winter semester 2018/2019, it is possible to submit an application for a name change immediately after enrolment (or even later), which includes first names and/or gender indication. A dgti supplementary identity card is sufficient as proof. Afterwards, only the specified name and gender will be used at the university. For information on how to apply, but also on the possible consequences of a name change (from the BaföG office to the pension fund), please contact the colleagues at the department of student affairs.

Toilets for all
Since the winter semester 2016/17, toilets for all have been available in all buildings at the FHP, which can be used by all persons regardless of their gender. The room details of the toilets for all can be found in the well-being plan of the equal opportunities office.

By including gender aspects in teaching, universities can make an important contribution to counteracting gender-based discrimination. This involves both study content and teaching methods as well as research projects.

We advise on the integration of gender aspects into teaching and research at the FHP.

• Support programme "Gender in Teaching" of the FHP
• Guide "Gender Aspects in Research"

The university's goal is quality-oriented, parity-based staffing at all qualification and employment levels. The monitoring of appointment procedures is a central area of equal opportunities work. However, the responsibility for increasing the proportion of female professors and women in leadership positions and, if necessary, promoting women in those positions where they are underrepresented, lies with the respective decision-makers - the president, senate, dean, departmental council, appointment committee.

In appointment procedures, the state-wide "Checklist for Appointment Procedures to Ensure Quality Standards for Equal Opportunities for Women and Men at Brandenburg Universities" is applied.

The maxim of promoting women in those areas in which they are underrepresented applies not only to appointment procedures, but also to recruitment procedures.

University of Applied Sciences Potsdam also successful in the programme for female professors III

The University of Applied Sciences Potsdam was once again positively evaluated within the framework of the female professors programme III 2019. Thanks to the successfully evaluated equal opportunities future concept, which was assessed by an independent panel appointed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the university was able to receive three start-up funds for the initial appointment of women to permanent professorships for the third time in a row – after 2008 and 2013.

The funds released thanks to the BMBF funding will once again be used to implement measures to promote equality and support families. The current measures include:

• a women's promotion fund for young researchers
• various support and relief offers for female academics
• the resumption of the FHP's internal support programme "Gender in Teaching"
• the resumption of the graduation scholarships for female students with family responsibilities
• a fund for the promotion of student gender equality projects
• further development of the childcare services offered by the family team (parent-child group, flexible care and holiday workshops) and
• various personnel measures.

The current measures will be realised between January 2021 and April 2026.

Actively promoting the compatibility of family responsibilities with studies or work is one of the central tasks of the equal opportunities policy at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam. The university sees itself as a "family-friendly university" and is committed to the Brandenburg quality standards: Gender-equitable, family-friendly and life-phase-orientated studying and working in the academic sector. According to the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam's understanding, a family includes all persons who take on long-term responsibility for other people in their private lives, i.e. marriage-like relationships, biological and non-bodily children, or even different generations.

In order to prevent dropouts and the drop-out of women from academia, it is especially important to start where there are difficulties in reconciling family and studies or academia. The equal opportunities office works closely with the family team in this area. One of the measures in this context is the graduation scholarships for female students with family responsibilities.

Further information:

• Federal report on young academics 2021
• Website of Familie in der Hochschule e. V.

There is often uncertainty about where sexism, sexual harassment and violence begin: What is still a compliment, what is funny, what is already assault? What is still a come-on, what is already harassment? Sexism, sexualised harassment and sexualised violence range from discrimination, jokes and attributions based on gender to harassment and actions to serious criminal offences. The following always applies: The person concerned decides for him- or herself what he or she perceives as harassing and discriminatory behaviour.

Have you experienced or witnessed sexism, sexual harassment or violence? The equal opportunities officer will advise and support you, also anonymously, by e-mail or telephone. Take a stand against sexism, sexual harassment and violence! Further information and practical tips can be found in our publication "Sexismus ist kein Kavaliersdelikt!"

Here you can find help quickly and easily
The help hotline "Violence against Women" is available.

For Potsdam students, the student listening phone nightline Potsdam and the psychological counselling centre of the Studentenwerk Potsdam can be reached. The psychological counselling centre of the Studentenwerk Potsdam provides an overview of other (telephone) contact points in Berlin-Brandenburg on its website.

External help
Immediate medical care and confidential evidence recovery, regardless of gender, are offered by the clinic association for victims of rape in Brandenburg. Counselling services, free legal advice and other help and support services for women are offered by the Potsdam women's centre.

Further information:

• Expertise on sexual harassment in the university context by the federal anti-discrimination agency.
• Guide: Protection against discrimination at universities by the federal anti-discrimination agency

The corona virus is also testing us in terms of our efforts to increase equity: the need for good technical infrastructure and equipment for learning/working at home, but also suitable places to learn and work, the possible hurdles of digital teaching/learning formats for people with impairments and the financial concerns of students are among the aspects of the crisis that also worry us from an equality perspective.

Help hotlines

• Violence against women
• Nummer gegen Kummer (Number against grief ) (children and young people)
• Parents' hotline
• Care telephone

Students in Potsdam can reach the student listening phone nightline Potsdam and the psychological counselling centre of the Studentenwerk Potsdam. The psychological counselling centre of the Studentenwerk Potsdam provides an overview of other (telephone) contact points in Berlin-Brandenburg on its website.

Further information:

• Keine Rolle rückwärts bitte – Contribution by LaKoG Brandenburg in the blog of the Brandenburg women's political Council.
• Voices, statements and current information on gender equality, science and university during the corona pandemic can be found on the website of the Federal Conference of Women's and Gender Equality Officers at Universities (bukof).
• The coordination office for gender research & equal opportunities Saxony-Anhalt collects all podcasts here that deal with the topic of equality under corona.
• A collection of articles on a wide variety of topics related to feminism in the corona crisis by the Heinrich Böll foundation.