Equality & Diversity

The goal of the Diversity & Equity Board and the Commissioner for Equal Opportunities is to promote equal treatment and equal opportunity in academic studies, research, teaching and the professional sphere at CU Carinthia University in general, and to counteract discriminatory practices.

We value the diversity and differences among our students and staff and view diverse perspectives and viewpoints as a source of great potential. Therefore, we actively support exchange and dialogue, inclusion and equal participation.

We strive to design the university’s infrastructure, organizational structures, procedures and processes in a way that is (gender) equitable and ensures equal access for all students and staff. In particular, we make every effort to take into account the special needs of our students (with disabilities and chronic illnesses), to help shape the best possible conditions for successful and inclusive study and to actively support students by drawing on their diverse resources.

The Commissioner for Equal Opportunities is the point of contact for…

• (potential) applicants,
• students,
• staff,
• external stakeholders and advocates.

The Commissioner for Equal Opportunities…

• … works in cooperation with the Diversity & Equity Board and other relevant departments to help shape and develop structures, processes and framework conditions in the area of equal treatment and equal opportunity at CU Carinthia University,
• … provides information on equal treatment and equal opportunity in general, and
• … offers advice and support to applicants (e.g., accessible admissions procedures), students (e.g., accessible education/compensation for disadvantages) and employees (e.g., sexual harassment or gender discrimination).

The Commissioner for Equal Opportunities provides advice and information on areas where students and staff may be at risk of discrimination or exclusion, such as:

• Disability
• Accessibility
• Neurodiversity
• Chronic illness
• Social background
• Ethnicity, Religion and Worldview
• Age-Specific Issues
• Gender-specific issues
• Sexual orientation
• Sexual Harassment
• Gender discrimination

Do you want to apply to study at CU Carinthia University and need support due to a disability, chronic illness, mental health condition, or neurodivergence?

Are you already studying at CU Carinthia University and facing barriers in your studies due to a disability, chronic illness, mental health condition, or neurodivergence?

Infrastructure, organizational structures, procedures and processes at CU Carinthia University are designed, wherever possible, to ensure equal access for all members of the CU Carinthia University community. We strive to take into account the specific needs of our members with disabilities, chronic or mental health conditions, or neurodivergence and to implement appropriate measures to facilitate the best possible study and work experience. With Directive RE-R15 “Accessible Studying” (2019), we have established a structured process to coordinate with students regarding accommodations for exams, teaching materials/instructional approaches, or (physical/other) barriers.

Please contact the commissioner for Equal Opportunities, one of the contact persons listed below at your campus, or your program director directly. We will advise and support you according to your individual needs and work with you to determine which measures or accommodations are necessary for your studies.

Tuition Waiver for Students with Disabilities

You may be eligible for a tuition fee waiver or refund if you face increased challenges (for a disability rating of 50% or higher). You can obtain both an application form for the waiver and for a potential refund from the Administration Office. These applications must be submitted to the Administration Office (which will forward them to the Student Information Center, which is responsible for processing them) or submitted directly to the SIC. The application must be accompanied by

• proof of your disability and
• a statement explaining the increased effort required due to the disability. 

To ensure that measures, support and accommodations to compensate for disadvantages can be implemented as effectively as possible, we ask that you contact us as early as possible.

CU Carinthia University recognizes all genders, gender identities and sexual orientations of its staff and students. We use gender-equitable and inclusive language (Guideline PV_R05 “Gender-Sensitive and Non-Discriminatory Language,” 2020). If gender-neutral wording is not possible, we recommend using an asterisk (e.g., student*) or an underscore (e.g., student_) to make non-binary gender identities visible.

Every campus of CU Carinthia University has all-gender restrooms that can be used by all students and staff members regardless of gender.

Trans*, inter* and non-binary students have the option to study at CU Carinthia University by choosing a first name and gender (identity name & identity gender) that differ from those listed in the civil registry (birth certificate) (Guideline RE-R17 “Use of an Identity/Chosen Gender or Identity/Chosen Name for Trans*, Inter*, and Non-Binary Individuals (TIN Individuals),” 2022). This allows you to easily specify a chosen or identity name and/or a chosen or identity gender when enrolling or registering with the Student Administration, which – if you wish – will be used in internal academic matters and documents.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact the Commissioner for Equal Opportunities.

The legal basis for work in the area of equal treatment at CU Carinthia University is the Federal Constitutional Act (Article 7), the Federal Equal Treatment Act (Sections 4a, 8, 8a, 9, 13a, 16, 16a, 19), the Federal Law on Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, the Law on the Employment of Persons with Disabilities (Sections 7b, 7d), and the University of Applied Sciences Act (including Sections 4(1), 2(5), Section 13(2)).

Other important legal foundations include the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the 1979 UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the 2006 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).

• General Information on Equal Treatment
• Equality for People with Disabilities
• Equality and Diversity (Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research)
• Diversity Charter
• “Hochschule und Familie” Certification
• Women and Girls in Technology
• FEMTech – Women in Research and Technology
• INNOVATORINNEN – Economic Impact of Women in Research and Technology
• Austrian Society for Diversity
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• UN Convention on the Rights of Women
• UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• Student Body at CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences
• Federal Student Union
• Psychological Student Counseling