The University Board is responsible for university-wide issues. It convenes over 20 times a year to take decisions concerning the university’s goals and strategies. Its other duties include issuing legal guidelines, coordinating teaching, research and continuing education, launching projects and appointing lecturers and executive staff. It consists of the President, the Director of Adminstration and the Heads of Departments, who also head one of the five dossiers. The Chair of the University Assembly attends the meetings of the University Board in an advisory capacity and is entitled to make proposals — a special feature of ZHdK in contrast to other universities of applied sciences. The Secretary General and her deputy, the Head of University Communications and the Quality Development and Accreditation Officer also take part in board meetings.
BY GIANNA BÄRTSCH
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Thomas Dominik Meier
University President. Profession/Education: University President/historian, anglicist. At ZHdK since: 2009. Non-professional interests: Many. What I like about ZHdK: The energy around the Toni-Areal. What I would change: Many changes are already underway. I consider our new study model (Major-Minor) the most important change project. It will increase the permeability between degree programmes in the best interest of students. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: I have no open wishes at the moment. The Toni-Areal offers one of the best infrastructures — worldwide — in higher arts education. My favourite place in Zurich: Letzipark. The neighbourhood’s diversity is palpable here, including the wide range of offerings and opportunities.
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Claire Schnyder
Director of Administration. Profession/Education: Art historian. At ZHdK since: 1 September 2018. Non-professional interests: Documentaries, politics, ancient Indian photography. What I like about ZHdK: The wild mix. What I would change: An even greater mix. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: I concentrate on the wishes of others… My favourite place in Zurich: the forests
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Michael Eidenbenz
Director of the Department of Music, Head of the Events Dossier. Profession/Education: Organist and musician; journalist (self-taught through 15 years on the job); Head of Department (self-taught through 12 years on the job). At ZHdK since: 1 April 2007. Non-professional interests: Literature and the world in general. What I like about ZHdK: There is no comparable workplace. What I would change: Any kind of stagnation, all mediocrity, all self-deception. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: Art! My favourite place in Zurich: the Grossmünster.
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Marijke Hoogenboom
Director of the Department of Performing Arts and Film. Head of the Continuing Education Dossier. Occupation/Education: Theatre Studies and German Studies at FU Berlin and the Universiteit van Amsterdam. At ZHdK since: July 2019. Non-professional interests: Friends and family, the whole spectrum of art and culture, local urban development and international life. What I like about ZHdK: The diversity and (apparently) unlimited possibilities. What I would like to change: I would like to better balance the abundance of great offerings and to have far greater diversity among staff and students. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: Student initiatives should be more visible on a daily basis; to reach out much further into the city districts. My favourite place in Zurich: Last summer it was Badi Zollikon, and almost every day a place I don’t know yet.
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Christoph Weckerle
Director of the Department of Cultural Analyses, Head of the Research Dossier. Profession/Education: Romance philologist. At ZHdK since: 2000, in alternating constellations. Non-professional interests: SUP racing, etc. What I like about ZHdK: Exciting, inspiring people. What I would change: Transversal minors. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: Risk-driven projects. My favourite place in Zurich: Wipkingen.
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Swetlana Heger
Director of the Fine Arts Department, Head of the International Dossier. Occupation/Education: Trained as an artist at Vienna University of Applied Arts (diploma studies) and at Musashino Art University in Tokyo (postgraduate studies). At ZHdK since: 1 September 2017. Non-professional interests: Travel, design and architecture. What I like about ZHdK: Everything contemporary. What I would change: Establish studios for teaching faculty. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: Good art in public areas. My favourite place in Zurich: All art and breakfast places.
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Hansuli Matter
Director of the Department of Design, Head of the Teaching Dossier. Occupation/Education: MSc Architecture ETH. At ZHdK since: 1989. Non-professional interests: Cooking, travelling, family. What I like about ZHdK: The basic motivation and energy of its staff and students. What I would change: Approach problems with more confidence and greater ease. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: Open spaces for experimentation and a showcase for all departments. My favourite place in Zurich: Chuchi am Wasser.
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Kristina Trolle
President of the University Assembly, Lecturer on the Bachelor and Master of Art Education, Head of CAS Adult Education in the Arts and Design. Occupation/Education: Social and Business Communication UdK Berlin, Film Studies FU Berlin. At ZHdK since: 2002. Non-professional interests: Everything to do with wool. From sheep to knitting to travelling to any knitting destination. What I like about ZHdK: Its size. What I would change: Adopt a calmer and more composed approach to developing new projects. My wishes for the Toni-Areal: A quiet oasis. My favourite place in Zurich: Duttweiler Bridge on a cold winter morning.