Pedagogical Chamber: MgA. et MgA. Lukáš Brychta, Ph.D.; MgA. Roman Černík; MgA. Mgr. Marta Ljubková; MgA. David Mírek, Ph.D.; Mgr. Karolina Plicková, Ph.D.; Mgr. Kateřina Štefková
Student Chamber: Anastázie Dobrodinská; BcA. Doubravka Dostálová; Eliška Drbohlavová; Bc. Cyril Janeček; BcA. Filip Novák
Online: MgA. Hana Malaníková, Ph.D.
Excused: doc. MgA. Mgr. Jiří Adámek, Ph.D.
Note taker: Eliška Přichystalová
Guests present: doc. MgA. Mgr. Mgr. Karel František Tománek, Dean of DAMU; Mgr. Bc. Jan Sedláček, Ph.D., Secretary of DAMU; Mgr. Martina Preissová; MgA. Jana Slouková; BcA. Jan-Jakub Šenkeřík
At the beginning, Dr. Plicková, Chair of the AS DAMU, welcomed the attendees, introduced them to the agenda and invited them to add any additional items. No additional proposals were made. The quorum was checked - the Senate was quorate (Dr. Mírek was absent and would arrive later).
1. Approval of the DAMU budget for 2024 - presented by the Dean of DAMU
2. Student Discussion Platform - presented by Doubravka Dostálová
3. Protest action Collapse of the System (Hour of Truth) - presented by Filip Novák
4, Miscellaneous
Dr. Plicková then called for an acclamation vote on the agenda.
Vote on the agenda:
For 11
Against 0
Abstentions 0
Dr. Plicková invited the Dean of DAMU and the Secretary of DAMU to present the materials and changes that have been incorporated since the 2nd DAMU AS meeting. The DAMU AS members received the materials in advance along with comments. This is an update to the budget proposal discussed at the last Senate meeting. The materials are available for the academic community here.
These were:
1. DAMU budget for 2024
2. The allocation of the TA01 educational activity allowance
3. Faculty-wide ONEI for 2024
4. DISK Theatre budget for 2024
5. Commentary on the DAMU budget proposal for 2024
The Dean recalled two priorities of the budget, namely the increase in salary funds and the expenditure on the development of facilities for the provision of teaching. Everything has already been discussed in the departments and at the Dean's collegium. The Registrar added that there had been minor adjustments and also clarification of sums in the funds.
Discussion:
Dr. Plicková stated that the Bursar's comments on the 2023 budget spending mentioned that DAMU is putting some of the money in the funds in addition to salary increases and asked if there was any change in that regard when the 2024 budget was set. Dr. Sedlacek explained the reasons for putting money into the funds and stated that salary increases are within the limits of what is possible.
MgA. Ljubková asked when the budget discussions for 2025 would start. Dr. Sedlacek and Assoc. Prof. Tománek stated that the basis for next year's budget can be discussed in advance.
Mgr. Štefková asked what it means in practice that we can only influence about 10% of the budget. Dr. Sedláček stated that most of the costs are related to the labour-legal relationships entered upon (we are subject to the Labour Code, internal wage regulations and collective agreement). The percentages must be seen in a temporal and material context. Bc. Janeček responded that 10% is not an insignificant amount.
E. Drbohlavová asked what specific steps are covered by the budget line "Security measures". Dr. Sedláček stated that the security agenda is coordinated by the Rector's Office. He outlined the individual steps in detail and talked about, among other things, security training for staff and students (some have been carried out, others are in preparation) and about the infrastructure security measures being prepared and the need to consult thoroughly with a security expert and discuss them with representatives of the academic community before their implementation. Dr. Mírek joined the meeting in person.
BcA. Šenkeřík raised a question towards the funding of doctoral programmes. Dr. Sedlacek and Assoc. Prof. Tománek commented on the matter.
Dr. Malaníková thanked Dr. Sedláček for his work in finding new premises.
There being no further comments on the proposed budget, the vote was taken on two resolutions.
Resolution: the AS DAMU approves the proposed budget of DAMU and ds DISK for 2024 as presented.
For 12
Against 0
Abstentions 0
Resolution: the AS DAMU commits to start discussion of the DAMU budget for 2025 in September 2024.
For 12
Against 0
Abstentions 0
Both resolutions were adopted. Dr. Sedláček then left the meeting.
BcA. Dostálová presented a proposal for the establishment of a student discussion platform. The proposal is inspired by the JAMU model, where the platform operates under the name "STRK" (Student Quality Council). Students discuss within the platform and then submit the minutes of the discussion to the Academic Senate in the form of a motion. It is a good tool for connecting departments.
Discussion:
Dr. Plicková wondered how often meetings could be held under this platform. BcA. Dostálová stated that at least once a semester. She also described the practice at JAMU where anyone who is interested gets the opportunity to speak, and added that the Department of Educational Drama at DAMU creates a similar space for discussion. BcA. Novák put forward a proposal that at least one representative from each department should participate in the platform. MgA. Ljubková asked whether it would help if there was a representative from each department in the DAMU AS. BcA. Dostálová responded that the student platform should be more of an informal space for discussion, the outputs of which can be forwarded to the DAMU AS. Dr. Plicková stated that there could be considerable interest from students in such meetings and that it would be good to schedule the meeting at a time that would allow all students from all departments to attend.
MgA. Ljubková asked what steps leading to the establishment of the platform are needed or possible from the side of AS DAMU. BcA. Dostálová mentioned that the DAMU AS must know about the preparation of the platform in order to expect to receive suggestions from it. It would also help the creation of the platform if students could be released from teaching for the purpose of participating in the meetings. E. Drbohlavová added that if AS DAMU supported the creation of this platform, it would give it more legitimacy. Mgr. Štefková suggested that the creation of the platform should be initiated directly by the students. MgA. Ljubková returned to the proposal that lecturers should be obliged to release students from classes once a semester for this purpose. BcA. Šenkeřík suggested that the date of the platform should be at the beginning of the exam period, when the students will have finished their exams, so that they have the time and capacity to participate. MgA. Ljubková asked Assoc. Prof. Tománek who has the authority to order students to be released from classes. Assoc. Prof. Tománek replied that the whole matter can be discussed with the heads of departments at the Dean's collegium. In his opinion, the possibility to use the time in the exam period is appropriate. Dr. Malaníková added that this platform is important as it provides a quick and efficient way to get input from learners from all departments. Dr. Plicková suggested the wording of the resolution.
Resolution: AS DAMU supports the establishment of a student discussion platform, invites the AS DAMU student chamber to submit a proposal for this initiative to the Dean of DAMU and requests the Dean of DAMU to discuss this matter at the Dean's collegium.
For 12
Against 0
Abstentions 0
BcA. Novák informed the members of the DAMU AS about the planned protest action Collapse of the System, which is convened by the Hour of Truth initiative for Monday, June 3, 2024 at 16:00-18:00. He also informed the attendees of the protest points, which can be found here: https://hodinapravdy.cz/kolaps-systemu/
The protest action is taking place before the Parliament debating on the 2025 budget and part of the protest is to send a letter to the MPs who will be debating the budget.
BcA. Novák raised the question if and how DAMU, or AS DAMU, wants to get involved.
Dr. Plicková suggested that the resolution should also appeal to the AS AMU to pay attention to the protest. MgA. Černík suggested the possibility of addressing a mass letter to colleagues. MgA. Ljubková suggested that the DAMU AS should support the initiative of writing letters to MPs and encourage those who cannot be present in person at the protest due to time constraints to write letters as well.
Dr. Mírek stated that the issue is more internal than political. BcA. Novák argued that the event is being held as a gesture to connect all the universities that are appealing for politicians to keep their promises and care about the development of higher education. MgA. Černík supported him and added that he sees the meaning of the protest in comparison with other European countries, against which we are behind in the percentage of GDP dedicated to education. Dr. Brychta also supported the arguments and said that compared to Western EU countries we rather pretend to be functioning.
Mgr. Štefková raised the issue of the role of science and research in universities. BcA. Šenkeřík said that the field of science and research is crucial for art schools, as the performing arts are constantly changing and it is necessary to reflect this development professionally.
BcA. Šenkeřík was critical of the wording of the protest points and asked for the factual basis that led to their formulation. Dr. Plicková recommended watching the recording of the Hour of Truth press conference on March 27, 2024, which is available from the initiative's Facebook page, and added that the current underfunding of higher education is scandalous.
Dr. Malaníková said that this is a political and media matter and that it is necessary to actively enter the public space. A. Dobrodinská suggested to focus on the possibilities of media coverage of the event, to actively disseminate it and to provoke participation. Dr. Plicková, in collaboration with the Senators present, proposed the wording of the resolution.
Resolution: the DAMU AS joins the protest action of the Hour of Truth initiative Collapse of the System, which is scheduled for June 3, 2024, from 4 to 6 p.m.. The DAMU AS calls on the DAMU academic community to actively participate in the protest event, and encourages members of the DAMU academic community to get involved by writing letters to members of parliament calling for a solution to the problem of university funding. The AS DAMU also commits to intensively address this issue and calls on the AS HAMU, AS FAMU and AS AMU to do the same.
For 12
Against 0
Abstentions 0
Dr. Plicková informed the attendees about a new feature: the minutes of the AS DAMU are now being translated into English. This is being done in cooperation with KATAP PhD student Jakob Keller, who has undertaken the revision of the translations. The minutes will be available to foreign members of the DAMU Academic Community on the English version of the Senate website: https://www.damu.cz/en/all-about-faculty/faculty-officials/academic-senate/?
BcA. Dostálová informed the attendees about the Conference of Academic Senators organized by the Student Chamber of the Council of Universities, which is an opportunity to connect student chambers of academic senates across the country. More here: https://www.skrvs.cz/akce/kas/ At the same time BcA. Dostálová suggested that the student chamber of AS DAMU should also participate in this conference.
Dr. Mírek suggested that there should be a discussion on the issue of representation of all departments in the DAMU AS. Dr. Plicková suggested opening the next meeting with this item.
Mgr. Štefková commended the activity of the student chamber of AS DAMU.
The Chairwoman of AS DAMU thanked those present and online for their active participation and invited them to the next meeting, which is scheduled for 21 May 2024 at 16:00 in the DAMU conference room.
The documentation for the meeting is available to the academic community here: https://amu365.sharepoint.com/sites/sp-site-as-damu
Recorded by: Eliška Přichystalová and Karolina Plicková
Minutes under agenda item no. 1 revised by: Mgr. Bc. Jan Sedláček, Ph.D.
Approved by: Mgr. Karolina Plicková, Ph.D., Chairwoman of AS DAMU, v.r.
Translated from Czech by DeepL & Jakob Keller
27. May 2024
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