Agreement on the Intercantonal University of Applied Sciences St.Gallen - Foundations

1. The cantons of Appenzell A.Rh., Appenzell I.Rh., St.Gallen, and Thurgau operate the Intercantonal University of Applied Sciences St.Gallen.

2. The university of applied sciences is an autonomous public-law institution based in St.Gallen.

3. The governments of the agreement partners may expand the sponsorship to include additional cantons or the Principality of Liechtenstein.

1. The University of Applied Sciences

a) prepares students for university of applied sciences diplomas in the fields of technology and business;

b) offers practice-oriented diploma courses, further education events, application-oriented research and development work, and services for third parties;

c) may offer additional study areas by resolution of the governments of the agreement partners.

1. Exemptions from State and Municipal Taxes for the Contracting Parties

a) the university of applied sciences and its income;

b) donations to the university of applied sciences.

1. The governments of the contracting parties exercise supreme supervision over the university of applied sciences.

2. They approve

a) the performance agreement;

b) the amount of tuition fees;

c) the annually negotiable contacts and financial resources;

d) the agreement concerning a university of applied sciences consortium.

3. Competencies and responsibilities from the agreement pursuant to letter d take precedence over this agreement.

1. The University of Applied Sciences Council consists of representatives from the agreement partners.

2. The following shall elect

a) the government of the Canton of St. Gallen five members;

b) the governments of the Cantons of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, and Thurgau two members each.

3. The University of Applied Sciences Council shall constitute itself.

4. If the agreement partners expand the sponsorship, they shall mutually adjust the composition of the University of Applied Sciences Council.

1. The University of Applied Sciences Council governs the University of Applied Sciences.

2. It prepares the approval of the performance agreement, the annual contracts, and the financing by the governments, as well as the determination of tuition fees.

3. Furthermore, the council is particularly responsible for the following tasks

a) Naming;

b) Organization of the University of Applied Sciences and establishment of the leadership structure;

c) Issuance of curricula;

d) Issuance of regulations concerning student admissions, examinations, diplomas, as well as supplementary rules regarding organization and competence;

e) Issuance of disciplinary regulations for students;

f) Issuance of the employment regulations;

g) Election and dismissal of school management, full-time lecturers, and administrative management;

h) Election and dismissal of other staff, insofar as it has not delegated this competence to other bodies;

i) Awarding of the professorial title;

k) Decision-making on the annual financial statement and budget;

l) Decision on appeals against orders from lower bodies of the University of Applied Sciences;

m) Issuance of other regulations necessary for the execution of the agreement;

n) Conclusion of cooperation agreements with other entities.

1. The University of Applied Sciences Council may delegate certain tasks to a committee from among its members or to the President.

2. It may establish specialized committees and engage external advisors.

1. The Appeals Commission consists of one representative selected by the governments of each of the contracting parties.

2. The members of the Appeals Commission do not hold any other position at the University of Applied Sciences.

3. The Appeals Commission constitutes itself.

1. The Appeals Commission makes final judgments on appeals against orders and decisions of the University of Applied Sciences Council.

1. The appeal procedure is governed by the regulations on administrative jurisdiction of the canton where the seat is located.

2. Warnings are not subject to appeal.

1. Operating resources are procured through

a) Shares of the agreement partners;

b) Fees;

c) Tuition fees;

d) Charges for services to third parties;

e) Location contribution from the Canton of St.Gallen;

f) Contributions from third parties.

1. The Canton of St. Gallen provides an annual location contribution amounting to fifteen percent of the total support services.

1. The shares of the contracting parties are determined by the proportion of students who have a residence, for scholarship purposes, in the territory of the contracting parties.

2. The determining factor is the average of the three years preceding the fiscal year. The key date is July 1.

1. Financial control is governed by the regulations of the host canton.

2. It may be conducted by a representative of each contracting party. The representative of the host canton shall preside.

1. The liability of the University of Applied Sciences and the responsibility of its governing bodies as well as its personnel shall be governed by the provisions of the canton in which it is located.

1. For service relationships, the disciplinary law of the canton of residence shall apply accordingly.

1. Orders and decisions of the educational authorities that are legally enforceable and aimed at payment or provision of security are equivalent to judicial judgments subject to enforcement with respect to legal execution.

1. The governments of the contracting parties may terminate the membership, observing a notice period of three years, effective at the end of a school year.

1. The agreements regarding the Intercantonal School of Engineering St. Gallen dated April 6, 1995, and the Interstate Higher School of Economics and Administration St. Gallen dated July 27, 1995, are annulled.

2. The annulment of the agreement concerning the Interstate Higher School of Economics and Administration St. Gallen remains subject to the approval of the Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein.

1. This Agreement shall be applied with the accession of the contracting parties from January 1, 2000.