The Ombudspersons
According to § 20 of the basic regulations of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam, the ombudspersons serve as arbitration and mediation bodies in the case of conflicts between members of the university. They are elected by the senate and appointed by the president. They can be called upon by all members of the university to act as moderators in cases of conflict or dispute. The term of office is four years.
Function
The two ombudspersons can be called in cases of conflict in which the parties involved see no possibility of resolving it without the help of third parties. The parties to the conflict are free to decide which of the two ombudspersons they would like to call in to deal with the conflict and, if necessary, to contact both persons. The ombudspersons are free to consult with each other or to suggest which of them should accompany the conflict. Please contact ombudsperson@fh-potsdam.de with a brief description of the conflict.
Ombudspersons of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam
In its 248th meeting on the 02 of February 2022, the senate elected Prof. Dr. Rita Marx and Prof. Dr. Peter Knösel as equal ombudspersons of University of Applied Sciences Potsdam.
Rita Marx was a professor at the social and educational sciences department from 1995 to 2016, specialising in education and social sciences (psychology, pedagogy, sociology). As vice dean for studies and teaching, she was instrumental in establishing the degree programmes early child education and the master's degree programme social work with a focus on the family. She researches and publishes on family formation in same-sex and medically assisted parenthood. Rita Marx is a freelance psychoanalyst in private practice.
Peter Knösel was professor of law (especially youth welfare and family law) with a research focus on migration at the social and educational sciences department from 1992 to 2019, as well as dean of this department for many years. Among other things, he served as an advisory board member for the Zeitschrift für das Ausländerrecht (ZAR) and for the Jugendhilfe newspaper. At the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam, Prof. Dr. Knösel worked closely with the further education unit and is still in charge of the day-care centre continuing education. Since his retirement, he has been admitted to the bar in Berlin.
