Anastázie Dobrodinská, Doubravka Dostálová, Eliška Drbohlavová, Marta Ljubková (from 16:21), David Mírek, Filip Novák, Tomáš Pavelka, Karolina Plicková, Kateřina Štefková (from 16:04), Lucie Nebeská Trmíková
Jiří Adámek, Cyril Janeček, Hana Malaníková
Guests present:
Daniela Jobertová (Dean), Tereza Došlová (Vice-Dean, online), Matěj Pour
Number of senators present: 8
Simple majority: 5
The meeting began at 16:00.
Karolina Plicková, Chair of AS DAMU, welcomed those present and introduced the updated agenda, supplemented by items 1, 5, and 6. Under item 7, Doubravka Dostálová and Filip Novák will present a report on STRK initiative activities and the student ambassador programme.
For: 8
Against: 0
Abstained: 0
Tereza Došlová explained that due to a low number of applicants, a second round of admissions was announced for the Production Design specialisation.
Discussion was about the reason of the lower number of applicants. T. Došlová explained that the programme probably needs better PR. Common mistake is, that applicants think that this programme is held at FAMU.
Resolution:
AS DAMU approves the document Additional Admission Call for the MA Programme Scenography – Production Design for the academic year 2026/2027 as submitted.
For: 9 (at 16:06 Kateřina Štefková arrived)
Against: 0
Abstained: 0
At the last meeting of the DAMU Academic Senate on January 21, 2026, Senator Filip Novák raised the issue of establishing a social fund for international students from countries currently experiencing armed conflict. Vice Dean Tereza Došlová subsequently offered to provide the DAMU Academic Senate members with an update on the matter. Karolina Plicková asked both the proposer and the Vice-Dean for their insights on the issue.
Filip Novák stated that, according to his information, the Rector’s Office decides on tuition fee reductions for international students. He further noted that the AMU Environmental Panel, of which he is a member, intends to address this topic, as the current approach is not in line with certain points of the Sustainability Strategy.
Tereza Došlová noted that regular discussions are taking place with representatives of DAMU’s English-language programs and that the issue has been actively addressed for about a year and a half (the discussion was initiated by the former vice-dean).
Students in Czech-language programs may apply for social scholarships, which are paid from the scholarship fund; this fund is replenished by fees for extended periods of study in Czech-language programs. The situation for English-language study programs is different; students entering English-language study programs commit to paying tuition fees that cover their studies, specifically the instruction provided in the English-language programs, including administrative support (fees range from 215,000 to 230,000 CZK annually). From a budgetary perspective, it is not possible to fund English-language programs — which constitute an economic activity of the school, meaning they are expected to cover their own costs from revenue — using funds allocated for Czech programs.
Discussion focused on support for international students, especially from war-affected regions. The Senate agreed on the importance of addressing this issue further.
16:13 senator Marta Ljubková arrived
Karolina Plicková reminded those present that the Senate, in its current composition, is entering the third year of its three-year term. As noted at the previous meeting, elections to AS DAMU will need to be announced at the beginning of 2027, in accordance with the Electoral Code (effective since 15 April 2021), under which the Dean calls the elections no later than 60 days before the end of the current Senate’s term (in office since 11 March 2024).
She also summarized key issues raised in January: ensuring balanced representation of departments, the possibility of amending the Electoral Code (and potentially the Rules of Procedure regarding the election of the Dean), and the need for better election preparation. She invited David Mírek to present his proposals.
David Mírek stated that legislative changes should follow a prior discussion on what composition of AS DAMU is desired. He noted that the current majority voting system does not reflect the faculty’s diverse structure (large, medium, and small departments, institutes, doctoral studies) and proposed selecting from three alternative models aimed at ensuring greater plurality and balanced representation:
Discussion:
Daniela Jobertová outlined the legislative process for amending the Electoral Code, emphasizing the need for coordination with the Dean, consultation with legal experts, and consideration of technical limits of the electronic voting system. She also noted that the timeline for such changes is uncertain.
Further discussion focused on agreeing on the preferred model and parameters. Participants highlighted the importance of departmental plurality, interest among students in broader representation, and the potential need to amend the DAMU Statute if the number of student senators were increased. It was also noted that previous elections did not strictly follow departmental voting patterns. The possibility of consulting a legal expert and establishing a timeline was agreed upon.
The discussion also addressed practical implications of the proposed models. Marta Ljubková emphasized that candidacy must remain voluntary.
At 17:20, David Mírek left the meeting – 9 senators remained present.
Karolina Plicková recalled that on 13 December 2025 the Academic Senate of FAMU issued a statement warning that the independence of Czech Television was under threat and expressing support for moderator Václav Moravec. On 18 December 2025, AS DAMU joined this initiative and issued its own statement, as the timing did not allow for adopting a formal resolution.
The December statement expressed concern over political pressure on Czech Television, support for its staff, and emphasized the importance of independent public service media for a free society. It also called on the Czech Television Council to act transparently and within its legal competences.
On 22 January 2026, AS DAMU received a letter of thanks from Václav Moravec, including further information on the situation and stressing the need for institutional solidarity.
Karolina Plicková noted that the situation continues to escalate, including political pressure related to media funding and licence fees, and emphasized the importance of supporting independent journalism. She proposed adopting a new resolution condemning political interference.
Resolution (summary):
AS DAMU expresses concern over threats to the independence of Czech Television and supports Václav Moravec and all employees facing political pressure. It considers independent public service media a key pillar of democracy and calls on the Czech Television Council to safeguard its independence and act transparently.
For: 9
Against: 0
Abstained: 0
A post-meeting note recorded that Václav Moravec later announced his departure from Czech Television.
Karolina Plicková thanked Filip Novák for proposing that the Senate address the threat to public funding of culture in the Czech Republic, referring to a statement issued on 28 February 2026 by Professional Theatre Association, and invited him to present the proposal. Filip Novák outlined recent developments, including a boycott by grant committees for literary journals, verbal attacks on these committees, and planned discussions between the Ministry of Culture and professional organizations, while also summarizing his communication with several associations regarding possible further actions. The discussion concluded with general agreement on the need to express concern, calls for broader academic involvement, and the joint formulation of a resolution based on the statements of relevant professional associations.
Resolution:
The DAMU Academic Senate expresses concern over the actions of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, which threaten the system of public support for culture and are at odds with the Program Statement of the Government of the Czech Republic. The DAMU Academic Senate emphasizes that culture is a public service and an interconnected ecosystem whose stability must not be undermined by ill-considered interventions. The DAMU Academic Senate defends the legitimacy of expert committees, whose members are nominated by professional associations and approved by the Ministry, and points out that questioning them amounts to questioning the system itself. The DAMU Academic Senate notes that public subsidies are a normal part of the functioning of society as a whole and that the cultural sector needs a transparent and predictable environment. The DAMU Academic Senate pledges to continue monitoring the situation and calls on the academic senates of other universities to pay attention to the situation.
For: 9
Against: 0
Abstained: 0
Karolina Plicková introduced a student proposal by Nebe Motýlová and Matěj Pour to revitalise the small rooftop gardens at KALD and KATAP, which lost seating and greenery after recent renovations, with the aim of improving the space and creating opportunities for community gatherings. The project includes ideas such as establishing a student gardener position and organising performative events, while also involving experts and workshops to ensure sustainability without increasing the faculty’s workload. Matěj Pour emphasized that the goal is to restore the rooftops as shared social spaces and to build a new student-led tradition of care and community use. In the discussion, participants expressed support for the initiative, highlighted practical considerations (management, funding, coordination), and agreed to formulate a supportive resolution to be presented to the faculty secretary.
Resolution: The DAMU Academic Senate supports initiatives aimed at revitalizing both of DAMU’s small rooftops and encourages the students who presented the project at today’s meeting to continue consulting on it and developing it in collaboration with the secretary.
For: 8
Against: 0
Abstained: 0
17:56 Anastázie Dobrodinská and Matěj Pour are leaving
A report was presented on STRK initiative activities and the student ambassador system.
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The chairwoman Karolína Plicková thanked all the participants and invited them to the next meeting on 13 April 2026 at 18:00.
Recorded by: Doubravka Dostálová, Eliška Přichystalová, Karolina Plicková
Translation and summary: Anastázie Dobrodinská
Approved by: Karolina Plicková, Chair of AS DAMU
27. April 2026
Theatre faculty of Academy of Performing Arts in Prague
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Contact for media
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