Sustainability governance

[Translate to English:] Entwicklungsplan

KU Sustainability – Mission Statement and profile-building cross-functional task

The consistent, sustainable, and transparent further development of the KU is a central goal of the Overall Sustainability Concept. With the aim of actively shaping social and ecological transformation, the KU is committed to fair and sustainable social development and anchors this commitment in clear structures and measures. That is why the KU pursues a whole institution approach in the six action areas: teaching, research, transfer, student commitment, campus management, and governance. In order to promote sustainable development across the entire institution, it has established organizational structures that enable the implementation of sustainability goals across all fields of action.

Governance structure at the KU

The University Management is responsible for the overall implementation of the Sustainability Concept (organizational and control responsibility, setting priorities). Within the University Management, Prof. Dr. Klaus Stüwe, Vice President for International Affairs and Profile Development, is also responsible for sustainability.

Sustainability team: The team organizes and manages the cross-cutting task of sustainability, ensures a systematic approach, and works on the continuous improvement of sustainability performance.

Steering group for sustainability and fair trade: The steering group, which has been existing since 2010, consists of representatives from the faculties, central institutions, and administrative departments, as well as students. Its task is to formulate goals and measures for the sustainability program and to assist in its implementation.

Green Office: In order to strengthen its transformative social impact, the KU has permanently established the Green Office, founded in 2020, as a central point of contact and knowledge platform for the University community and the general public. The Green Office promotes networking among all KU members, especially students who are involved in various initiatives on sustainable development issues.

These individuals are committed to the sustainable development of the KU and also have an impact far beyond it:

All members of the KU (Employee Governance Codex)

Each and every one of you can make the biggest contribution by making your everyday life (at the KU) more sustainable.

You can find ways to implement this as a individual in the "Employee Governmance Codex".

Sustainable KU steering group

Responsible person in the University Management

Prof. Dr. Klaus Stüwe (Vice President for International Affairs and Profile Development) has been the person responsible and contact person in the University Management for sustainability since April 1, 2020.

Chief Sustainability Officer: Eva-Maria Hugo has been responsible for the strategic development and implementation of sustainability at the KU since May 2025.

Campus Sustainability Manager

Dr. Frank Zirkl has been the KU's Campus Sustainability Manager since November 2021. One of his main responsibilities is coordinating sustainability management in accordance with EMASplus.

Sustainability Coordinator

Patrizia Hartmann has been supporting the Sustainability Officer in coordinating the wide range of activities since July 2022. She also heads the Green Office.

Green Office – Sustainability Office

The Green Office – Sustainability Office at the KU is the hub for the KU's sustainability activities in Eichstätt and Ingolstadt, primarily through the support of student employees on campus.

Steering group "Sustainability & Fair Trade"

The “Sustainability & Fair Trade” steering group consists of committed employees from the faculties and central institutions as well as committed student groups. They all support the steering committee in developing and implementing measures for greater sustainability at the KU.

Overview of tasks of the steering group members

Sustainable KU steering committee

Prof. Dr. Klaus Stüwe (Vice President for International Affairs and Profile Development, repsonsible for sustainability matters within the University Management)
Eva-Maria Hugo (Chief Sustainability Officer)
Dr. Frank Zirkl (Campus Sustainability Manager)
Patrizia Hartmann (Sustainability Coordinator)
Student employees at Green Office - Sustainability Office at the KU

Faculties

School of Transformation and Sustainability: Prof. Dr. Simone Birkel (Professor of Religious Education; Youth and School Pastoral Care)
Faculty of Socal Work: Prof. Dr. Christian Beck (Professor of Ethical Foundations of Social Work with a Focus on Sustainability)
Faculty of History and Social Sciences: Prof. Dr. Robert Schmidt (Professorship of Process-oriented Sociology)
Faculty of Mathematics and Geography: Prof. Dr. Hans-Martin Zademach (Professor of Economic Geography)
Faculty of Philosophy and Education: Prof. Dr. Rainer Wenrich (Professor of Art Education and Education Studies)
Faculty of Languages and Literatures: Prof. Dr. Friederike Reents (Professor of Modern German Literature)
Faculty of Theology: Prof. Dr. Burkard Zapff (Professor of Old Testament Studies)
Ingolstadt School of Management: Prof. Dr. André Habisch (Professor of Christian Social Ethics & Social Policy) / Prof. Dr. Thomas Setzer (Professor of Business Administration and Business Informatics)

Research centers

Center for Flight and Migration (ZFM): zfm-sekretariat@ku.de

Research Service Center (ZFF): Dr. Wolfgang Thiel

Center for Latin American Studies (ZILAS): Jana Wieser

Institutes & Departments

University Library: Magdalena Hager

International Office: Dr. Anna Marcos

Computer Center: Dr. Nils Blümer (Head of University Computer Center) / Bernhard Brandel (Computer Center Campus Ingolstadt)

Department of Communication and Marketing: Dr. Christian Klenk (Head of Communications & Marketing)

Department of HR Development & Professional Training: Dr. Jennifer Dobschenzki

Center for Teacher Education (KU ZLB): Dr. Petra Hiebl (Head of KU ZLB)

University Administration

Facility Management: Albert Pfaller (Technical Service)/ Anna Michl (Health Management Coordinator) /N.N. (Technical Facility Management) /N.N. (Head of Facility Management)

Budget & Finances: Eduard Breitenhuber (Head of Finance Department) / Bernhard Semmler (Head of Procurement & Contracting)

HR department: Christine Feierle (Business trips)

Study organization: Dr. Michael Schieder (Project employee system accreditation)

Committees

Staff Representative Council: Ann-Kathrin Bremer

Students/University student groups: Student Representative Council / Environmental working group / Association “DenkNachhaltig! e.V.”