Dear Minister Bauer,

outraged, we have heard about your advances on the subject of study fees. The proposals to introduce study fees for non-EU students and second degrees undermine the promise "no general study fees" in the coalition agreement – however, the increase in the administrative cost contribution outright breaks that promise.
The increased administrative cost contribution is not intended to cover increased administrative costs but to fill financial holes in the university funding. Budget security, guaranteed to the universities, in the university funding contract 2020, is now to be implemented at the expense of the students. We perceive this as a breach of trust. We refuse that study fees be introduced through such a loophole!
Against the background of growing xenophobic resentments, the proposal of a "foreigner fee" should not only be viewed critically but be resolutely rejected. International students enrich the everyday academic and social life at any university. The international exchange of people and ideas is a prerequisite for exceptional scholarly work and an important experience for students, professors, and staff, Germans or Internationals. If the fees are imposed, many international students can no longer afford to study in Baden-Württemberg. Certainly, this proposal does not correspond to our idea of equal opportunity. A hardship provision will be ineffectual, since the visa regulations already almost exclude social hardship cases.
We also reject the fees for a second study. There are good reasons for getting a second degree, for example, if you do not find work after graduation or want to work interdisciplinary. The financial hurdles to start a second degree are already high enough.
To achieve an economically and socially successful future for Baden-Württemberg, access to higher education must remain freely accessible to all. A wealthy state like Baden-Württemberg must manage to raise the necessary financial resources. We therefore ask you to consider your proposals and act in the interest of the students.

Sincerely,

AStA Hohenheim,

AStA Mannheim,

Verfassten Studierendenschaft der Universität Konstanz,

AStA Freiburg,

AStA KIT,

AStA Musikhochschule Freiburg,

AStA Kehl,

Studierendenenrat Tübingen