Complaint Management
The WiSo Faculty has a system for receiving and handling complaints and concerns from students. As a student, don't hesitate to raise issues, share criticism, or even give praise. Only through constructive, respectfully worded feedback we can keep improving the study experience for everyone.
The contact points at WiSo
There are two primary contact points that students can turn to with problems, complaints or feedback about their studies.
- The WiSo Student Service Point is the faculty's official advising service and takes care of all student concerns, working to resolve them as quickly as possible. You can reach out in person, by email, or by phone. All requests are handled discreetly and anonymously. The preferred way to get in touch is via the contact form (choose ‘Praise, criticism, complaint’).
- Alternatively, students can also contact the WiSo student council (Fachschaft). For many students this options is more approachable, since it's a student-to-student setup.
The WiSSPo and Fachschaft work closely together and can collaborate on your case where it's helpful.
Problem solving
As soon as the problem has been reported to the WiSo Student Service Point, the problem-solving process begins. There are generally three ways things can go:
- Many issues can be solved directly at the WiSo Student Service Point, either in a personal conversation or by consulting the relevant department directly.
- If the problem cannot be solved directly at the WiSo Student Service Point, your concern will be forwarded to the appropriate faculty office (e.g. the Examinations Office or Studierendensekretariat), who will then get back to you with a solution.
- For more fundamental, systemic issues that can't be resolved through direct contact, the matter is passed up to higher levels (e.g. the Dean of Studies, Academic Advisory Board). You'll be kept in the loop about the outcome, though this process typically takes several weeks.
PDF: Complaint management within the structures of the WiSo Faculty
The Suggestions and Complaints Office at the University of Cologne
The Suggestions and Complaints Office (Anregungs- und Beschwerdestelle, ABS) is a university-level contact point available to all students at the University of Cologne.
Its purpose is to receive and process complaints, interdisciplinary problems and suggestions relating to teaching and studies. It is an additional service offered to students – outside the structures of faculties and administration.
It handles complaints, cross-departmental issues, and general feedback on teaching and studying. It is an additional service offered to students – outside the structures of faculties and administration.