Senate of the Academy
The Senate assists the Academy with fundamental issues. The constitution of this advisory board took place on December 16, 2005. It is part of the Senate's tasks to strenghten the impact of the Academy's activities on the public, to make recommendations on the Academy's role in the international scientific community and to communicate academic issues of public interest that are necessary to fulfill its statutorily mission to the Academy.
Members of the Senate
Mag. Barbara PRAMMER
the president of the National Council
Landeshauptmann Mag. Markus WALLNER
the chairperson of the Austrian State Governors' Conference
SC a. D. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Gerhart HOLZINGER
the president of the Constitutional Court of Austria
Dr. Johanna RACHINGER
the president of the Austrian National Library
Dkfm. Dr. Hannes ANDROSCH
the chairperson of the Austrian Council for Research and Technology Development
Prof. Dr. Peter GRUSS
the president of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science
Prof. Dr. Astrid EPINEY
the president of the Swiss Science and Technology Council
Prof. Dr. Reto Weiler
the chairperson of the Austrian Science Board
Appointed from the Academy's Patrons:
Mag. Johannes HÖHRHAN
Geschäftsführer der Industriellenvereinigung Wien
DI Johann MARIHART
Generaldirektor der AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG
Quoted from the Academy's Statute:
§ 12 (1) A Senate assists the Academy with fundamental issues. It comprises the following members:
a) the president of the National Council as chairperson;
b) the chairperson of the Austrian State Governors' Conference;
c) the president of the Constitutional Court of Austria;
d) the president of the Austrian National Library;
e) the chairperson of the Austrian Council for Research and Technology Development;
f) the president of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science;
g) the president of the Swiss Science and Technology Council;
h) the chairperson of the Austrian Science Board;
i) two members to be appointed from the Academy’s patrons.
(2) The patrons convene upon invitation from the Academy’s President, and elect the two Senators from amongst themselves. These members remain in office for four years, and may be re-elected.
(3) The Academy’s Senate has the following tasks:
a) Promoting the Academy’s public work;
b) Making recommendations for the Academy’s tasks in national and international research;
c) Submitting questions of public interest to the Academy;
d) Advising the Academy on other matters essential to the fulfilment of its legal tasks;
e) Accepting the Academy President’s report on the previous working year;
f) Establishing the Presiding Committee members’ remuneration.
(4) Senate decisions are made with an absolute majority of valid casted votes, in the presence of at least five Senators. If votes are tied, the chairperson’s vote decides. The Senate’s decision must be reported on at the General Assembly.
(5) Honorary members, full or corresponding members, members of the Young Academy, and persons employed by the Academy cannot be Senate members. If the mandate is rejected or if there are reasons for exclusion or conflicts of interest, the General Assembly must, at the Senate’s request, find a replacement to fill the position.
(6) The Senate members take up their position in person. The Senate meets at least once a year, and can also make its decisions by polling.
(7) The Senate sets its own procedural regulations, which must be advised to the Presiding Committee and the General Assembly.