University authorities work on reinstating the previous president of the University of Goettingen - University authorities restore positions of previous heads at the University of Göttingen
**Former President of University of Göttingen Settles Court Case, Interim President Announced**
Metin Tolan, a physicist, served as president of the University of Göttingen (Georg-August-Universität Göttingen) since 2019. However, his tenure was marked by controversy, culminating in his dismissal.
**Dismissal and Reasons**
The primary reason for Tolan's dismissal, announced by himself in October 2020, was a lack of confidence and escalating conflicts within the university's leadership. Reports suggested that the university's Senate and governing bodies expressed a lack of trust in his leadership. Tolan's management style was described by some critics as divisive and lacking in collegial cooperation. The formal process for his removal was initiated by the Senate, and ultimately, Tolan chose to announce his resignation before a final decision by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture could be made.
**Court Case and Settlement**
Following his dismissal, Tolan initiated legal proceedings, contesting unfair dismissal or seeking clarification of his contractual rights and possible compensation. The details of the court case have been limited, with few detailed public outcomes or rulings available. However, it has been confirmed that Tolan and the University of Göttingen have reached a settlement in the court case. The terms of the settlement include a one-time payment to Tolan in the low five-figure range and a revised date for his dismissal, which will now take effect on September 30, instead of the originally scheduled February 8.
**Interim President**
Axel Schölmerich, a psychologist and former rector of the Ruhr University Bochum, has been appointed as the interim president of the University of Göttingen since March 1. His focus during his tenure will be on preparing the election of the next president of the University of Göttingen.
As of the winter semester of the previous year, the University of Göttingen had nearly 28,000 students, making it the largest university in Lower Saxony. The Senate of the Georg-August-University withdrew its confidence from Tolan last year, leading to his removal. No representatives of the University Senate, the Staff Council, or the students expressed any criticism in meetings.
In summary, Metin Tolan's tenure as president of the University of Göttingen ended due to a loss of confidence and internal conflicts. Tolan and the University of Göttingen have reached a settlement in a court case regarding his dismissal and compensation. Axel Schölmerich, the interim president, will focus on preparing the election of the next president of the University of Göttingen.
The university community is focusing on vocational training and education-and-self-development following the dismissal of Metin Tolan, as the interim president, Axel Schölmerich, prepares for the election of a new president. Meanwhile, political discussions around the general news involve the settlement reached between Tolan and the University of Göttingen regarding the court case following his dismissal.
