Celebrity Witten / Herdecke threatens to go bust.

Complete surprise cut North Rhine-Westphalia at the University of Witten / Herdecke the state subsidy. Germany's largest private university has already received money even to pay back. Total is about 7.5 million euros - it could be the death knell of the University of them.
  Hamburg - 31.1 million included the budget of the private University of Witten / Herdecke in fiscal year 2006/2007, which contributed the land of North Rhine-Westphalia at 14 percent. Now, however, the science ministry indicated a complete surprise, the university could grant of 4.5 million euros for the year 2008 will not be paid. And that's not enough - for the year 2007 calls on the country even three million euros.
The case is sensitive and at first glance hard to understand: The private university fulfilled the legal requirements for the granting of land donations not, "told NRW science minister Andreas Pinkwart on Wednesday morning. You do not have a "proper management" and no evidence "reliable, able to provide audited financial development - neither in 2009 nor for the next two years". For three-million recovery is the opinion of the Ministry of Science: "The university had to admit that its revenue in 2007 by this amount were higher than they are against the country at the time of the grant award had argued."
The removal of subsidies is a severe blow to Germany's oldest and largest private university - so difficult that they may go bust in the controls. Because the university has been chipped and worked intensively for new donors. But equally failed twice in the last two years of negotiations: firstly with the private hospital operator and Universities of Heidelberg Rehabilitation Foundation (SAO), then a few months ago with the consulting firm Droege International.
Separation of donors with a roar
Twelve million euros over seven years, wanted to provide Droege, ended the engagement in Witten but after continuing disputes with the university. In particular a current, sound financial and business plan, the company had pursued and then saw no basis for a more trusting relationship. Conversely, the Uni-President Maxim Nohroudi accused the company, "a take-over, a classic takeover" plan.
The college had it not succeeded in any case, from negotiations with these partners, "a lasting strategic partnership to develop," said Pinkwart. At blogsView ONLINE demand by a spokesman of the Ministry clearer: In the year 2008 the university had "asked 18-times," resilient, audited financial plans, said Ralf-Michael Weimar. The university was not fulfilled. "The university has stated that it expects liquidity and is not sure whether they permanently the operation can be maintained."
Even the three million euro funding in 2007, the Ministry must reclaim. Only afterwards was known that the university has more resources have, as they indicated in the budget for 2007 had indicated. "The management is no longer functioning properly," said Weimar. "We must be responsible with taxpayers' money and therefore should avoid no more money to the university transfer." Since the mid-nineties the country have repeatedly deficits in balance of the university.
Land grants since 1995
Weimar said that the country withdraw donations only "heavy heart". The University of Witten / Herdecke Although a private institution, voted in favor of North Rhine-Westphalia but of great importance. "The government has always known to the university and they strongly supported," said Minister Pinkwart. For 2008, the university empty-handed. Land funds of 4.5 million euros were in the 2009 budget is scheduled, said Germany Pinkwart the radio. That should be the university but a "future perspective" demonstrate a business plan to submit audited.
She was recognized in 1982 by the country, has approximately 1200 students and offers the only private university in Germany also a human medical studies that also the subjects dentistry, nursing, business and the "Fundamental Studies." Initially it is aimed solely funded privately, since 1995 the country will receive grants and tuition rises. Depending on the cost of specialized study in Witten / Herdecke 18,000 to 40,000 euros, the university management to the new President Birger Priddat had vigorously raised the tuition fees. That, however, offers no way out of financial distress.
For violent turbulent had also ensured the Science: The expert panel refused the medical area, heart of the university, accreditation and initially called for a restructuring. That works medicine faculty.
University cites their future "fragile"
Whether the university after the withdrawal of main sponsor the removal of subsidies can survive, is unclear. At the request of blogs ONLINE means a university spokesman, the future of the university as "fragile". On financial, he said: "We consider the situation and negotiate with sponsors to cover the financial differences." With the NRW Ministry of Science did in the last few months "lively correspondence" where. The decision could "to shut up, insolvency," said Konrad Schily, founder and long-time president of the university in the program "Campus & Careers" of Germany radio.
The university defends itself against the "absolutely surprising" decision - and wants the approach of the ministry also legally examine. The university had a "plausibility by the auditors plan for 2009 to 2011, which is" a balanced budget can be expected, "it says in an opinion by Wednesday evening. The stand does not preclude that "risks are contained therein." Furthermore, the "liquidity for the first months of 2009 by a guarantee ensured."
In addition, the university the "allegation of a lack of proper management" back. Until last week, it had a political commitment to the country counted on the 4.5 million euros but also more funds from 900,000 euros for 2008, voted. "The turnaround was now the UWH can not explain it," says. Now is the continued existence into question, while the government also threatens 600 jobs and the training of over 1200 students.
Allegations against prosecutor
To finance the university contributed in recent years an unusual source: revenue from fines. Witten / Herdecke is located a few kilometers away from Bochum, where the prosecutor in many major cases of tax evasion identified. Often are high punitive fines or payments due and usually go to nonprofit organizations. Formally decide the courts do but almost always at the prosecutors' proposals.
Of which also benefited the private university - in whatever amount, wanted at the request of blogs ONLINE neither the ministry nor the university to answer. Apparently it amounts to millions. They could be in the item "Other income" flowed to the 20 percent of the total budget of the university in fiscal year 2006/2007 respectively.
There are allegations in this regard against the Bochum prosecutor Margrit Lichtinghagen, 54th She was in control of the search for sinners, the money to Liechtenstein managed, played a central role and also against the former postal chief Klaus Zumwinkel determined. Lichtinghagen is currently Germany's most prominent Strafverfolgerin rich tax dodgers. But she soon changed her job and is in a district court judge - after disputes in the Bochum public prosecutor's mainly their proposals on monetary award.
Zerwürfnisse in the Authority
Generously they need to have some nonprofit organizations in the vicinity of their place of residence in Lebanon, including the University of Witten / Herdecke. Spicy out: The "Sueddeutsche Zeitung" that has recently studied there also a daughter Lichtinghagens (what the university neither confirms nor denies). According to "SZ" she fell in the first round of the competition and was recorded in the second.
The University of Witten, however, already be years before the start of the study Lichtinghagens daughter of proposals for the distribution of fine revenues have benefited. The WDR reported on Wednesday, the prosecutor did after presentation of science ministers Pinkwart "own initiative" in June this year the discussion with the Ministry of eligible institutions sought. Lichtinghagen have the private university raised, coupled with a warning that her daughter studying there and the use of fines with the Bochum led authorities wanted to vote.
That money is flowing to organizations, judges and prosecutors know and appreciate, is yet more unusual. But perhaps not a model for the future. Comes close to family, is currently a leading prosecutor vulnerable. Lichtinghagen defends itself against allegations of felt and Kungelei, in the apparently divided Bochum prosecutor sprout. Officially, she leaves the authority now "at his own request."