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THE FACULTY OF ARTS, MASARYK UNIVERSITY STATUTES
(As amended with effect from 27th
March 2020)
Part One
Basic Provisions
Section 1
Basic Provisions
(1) The Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University (hereinafter referred to as the “FF MU”) and its
bodies are part of a university public higher education institution, and within its
framework, may exercise the powers regulated by Act No. 111/1998 Coll., on Higher
Education Institutions and on Amendments and Supplements to Other Acts (Higher
Education Act), as amended (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”), and entrusted to it
by the Masaryk University Statutes, which is a legal entity.
(2) Faculty name: Masarykova Univerzita, Filozofická fakulta
• translated into Latin: Universitas Masarykiana, Facultas philosophica
• translated into English: Masaryk University, Faculty of Arts
• abbreviation: FF MU
• address: 602 00 Brno, Arna Nováka 1
• symbol of electronic connection: phil.muni.cz
Section 2
Focus and Activities of the FF MU
(1) The FF MU is a scientific pedagogical institution that carries out educational and related
scientific, research, development and innovation, and artistic and other creative
activities (hereinafter referred to as “creative activities”) and related activities in the
fields of the philosophical, historical, philological, psychological, pedagogical, cultural,
and artistic sciences.
(2) The FF MU carries out educational activities in accredited degree programmes and in
lifelong learning programmes.
(3) The FF MU exercises, to the extent provided by the Act, competence in the habilitation
procedure and the professor appointment procedure.
(4) In cooperation with Masaryk University (hereinafter referred to as “MU”), the FF MU
creates conditions for information access to library and journal collections, and to
electronic information.
(5) In cooperation with MU, the FF MU creates conditions for foreign relations and the
mobility of students and academics.
(6) The FF MU carries out publishing activities in accordance with the principles of editorial
activities at MU.
(7) In addition to the matters listed in Section 24(1) of the Act, FF MU bodies also decide
and act on behalf of MU on the disposal of MU property to the extent specified in Section
48 of the MU Statutes and decide on matters listed in Section 15 of the MU Statutes in
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which the faculties are entrusted with decision-making on behalf of MU.
Section 3
The Academic Community and Academic Freedoms and Rights
(1)The FF MU academic community consists of its academic staff members and students.
Visiting MU professors are also members of the academic community during their time
at the FF MU. The Rector, the Dean, the Chair of the MU Academic Senate, or the Chair
of the FF MU Academic Senate may convene a meeting of the academic community to
discuss serious matters.
(2) Visiting professors may work at the FF MU in a similar capacity to academic staff. The
scope of the visiting professors’ activities and their legal relations with MU are regulated
by contract. The contract is negotiated by the Dean of the FF MU. A similar procedure is
followed in the case of other visiting teachers and researchers.
(3)All members of the academic community enjoy academic freedoms and rights under
Section 4 of the Act and Section 2 of the MU Statutes. The FF MU academic community
is the subject and guarantor of the academic rights and freedoms of its members who
are obliged to defend these freedoms.
Section 4
Study and Students
(1) The faculty provides education in Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degree
programmes. The composition, focus, content, duration, and completion of these
programmes are governed by the general provisions of Sections 44 to 47a of the Act.
(2) The rights and obligations of the FF MU students are determined by the provisions of
Sections 62 and 63 of the Act, the MU Statutes, and the MU Study and Examination
Regulations.
(3) The admission procedure is initiated upon receipt of an application form by the FF MU.
(4) The Dean of the FF MU sets the conditions for study for the relevant academic year in
accordance with the Act and the MU Statutes.
(5) Entrance examinations are written, or both written and oral. There may also be a talent
test for relevant subjects.
(6) The examination board for entrance examinations and the admissions committee are
appointed by the Dean.
(7) Foreigners are admitted to study in the Czech language under the conditions laid down
for Czech students provided that their education has been recognised as education
required by the Act and if they have met the conditions for admission. For the admission
of foreigners under international treaties, these conditions will apply mutatis mutandis,
as it may regard the dates of the admission procedure. For studies taken by foreigners
in a foreign language pursuant to Section 58(4) of the Act, the Dean will set the fee by
measure, specifically considering the financial demands of the studies, the costs of
ensuring the quality of the studies, and the current situation in an analogous field of
education, no later than 15th
February of the preceding academic year.
(8) The amount of the fee and reimbursement of costs associated with studies, lifelong
learning, and with certain procedures, is set by the Dean in accordance with the Act and
MU internal regulations for the relevant academic year before the deadline set for the
submission of applications for the academic year.
(9) State examinations and the defence of graduate theses are governed by the MU Study
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and Examination Regulations. The dates of state examinations, defence of graduate
theses, and the composition of examination boards are published in the MU IS and on
the official Faculty notice board at least two weeks before the start of State examinations
in the given semester in the case of Bachelor’s and Master’s State examinations, and
four weeks in the case of Doctoral State examinations.
Section 5
Advanced Master’s State examinations
(1) Graduates of Master’s degree programmes who have obtained the academic degree
“Master” may take the Advanced Master’s State examination in the same field of study
in accordance with the procedure and under the conditions laid down by law (Sections
46(5) and 99(5) of the Act) and the MU Study and Examination Regulations (Sections
34–37). Upon successful completion of the examination, the academic degree title of
Doctor of Philosophy (abbreviated as “PhDr.”) before the name is awarded.
(2) The form of payment of costs and due dates shall be published for the academic year on
the official notice board at least one month before the start of the academic year.
Section 6
Academics and Other FF MU Employees
(1) Academic staff members are those professors, associate professors, extraordinary
professors, assistant professors, instructors, lecturers, and scientific, research and
development staff who are employed by the FF MU and who perform both teaching and
creative activities in accordance with the agreed upon type of work.
(2)Academic staff members may apply for sabbatical leave of six months once every seven
years in accordance with Section 76 of the Act.
(3) In addition to members of the academic community, there are other FF MU employees
who participate in scientific research, administrative, organisational, and technical
activities in accordance with the FF MU mission.
Section 7
Professors Emeriti
(1)A former academic staff member of the FF MU with the title of professor who has made
an outstanding contribution to the development of the FF MU or its units through their
lifelong teaching and research activities may be granted the status of professor emeritus.
(2) Proposals for appointment as professor emeritus are submitted to the Dean by the heads
of academic units. The Dean appoints professors emeriti after discussion in the FF MU
Scientific Board.
(3)A professor emeritus is an honorary member of the FF MU academic community with an
advisory vote at FF MU academic community meetings and at staff meetings of the
institute to which they belonged before retirement.
(4) Professor Emeritus is an honorary title that does not confer any employment rights.
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Part Two
Bodies of the Faculty
Section 8
FF MU Bodies
(1) The autonomous academic bodies of the FF MU are the FF MU Academic Senate, the
Dean, the FF MU Scientific Board, and the FF MU Disciplinary Committee. Other bodies
of the FF MU are the Dean’s Council, the Dean’s Committees, and the Faculty Bursar.
(2) The results of meetings of the FF MU Academic Senate, the FF MU Scientific Board, and
the Dean’s Council are published electronically on the FF MU intranet.
Section 9
Academic Senate
(1) The status of the Academic Senate of the FF MU (hereinafter referred to as the “FF MU
AS”), its establishment, and its competence are determined by Sections 26 and 27 of
the Act.
(2) The FF MU AS has twenty-one members elected from among the members of the
academic community, nine of whom are students.
(3) The term of office of an FF MU AS member is three years.
(4) The FF MU AS is headed by the Chair, elected from among the academic staff members
and two Vice-Chairs.
(5) Membership in the FF MU AS is honorary, non-deputisable, and incompatible with the
position of Rector, Vice-Rector, Dean, and Vice-Dean.
(6)At least once per year, the Chair of the FF MU AS acquaints the academic community of
the FF MU with the activities of the FF MU AS.
(7) Elections to the FF MU AS are governed by the Election Regulations of the FF MU AS.
(8) The activities of the FF MU AS, its organisational structure, and rules of procedure are
regulated by the FF MU AS Rules of Procedure.
Section 10
Dean
(1)The position of the Dean and their powers are determined by Section 28 of the Act and
the MU Statutes. The Dean is the highest representative of the FF MU and acts and
makes decisions on behalf of MU in the affairs of the FF MU. They are responsible for
their activities to the FF MU AS and the MU Rector. The Dean is responsible to the MU
Rector for compliance with legislation and MU and FF MU regulations, for the organisation
of teaching, scientific and other activities, for creating the conditions for these activities,
and for managing funds in accordance with the approved budget. The term of office of
the Dean is four years; the same person may hold the office of Dean for a maximum of
two consecutive terms.
(2)The MU Rector appoints the Dean based on a proposal by the FF MU AS. The FF MU AS
decides on the proposal for the appointment of the Dean in the manner prescribed by
the Act and the FF MU AS Rules of Procedure. The proposal for the appointment of the
Dean of the Faculty of Arts is submitted by the FF MU AS Chair to the MU Rector no later
than one month before the end of the term of office of the current Dean.
(3)The announcement of the election, the acceptance of the candidates, and the date of
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the FF MU AS meeting arranged to discuss and deliberate on the proposal for the
appointment of the Dean, and which should include the presentation of candidates and
their programme statements, should be communicated by the FF MU AS Chair to the
Rector, who is entitled to attend such meeting, well in advance.
(4) If the Dean seriously fails to fulfil their duties or seriously damages the interests of MU
or the Faculty, the Rector may, on their own initiative, dismiss them, but only after the
prior statement of the FF MU AS, and only with the consent of the MU AS.
Section 11
Vice-Deans
(1) The Vice-Deans of the FF MU are appointed and dismissed after a prior statement from
the FF MU AS by the Dean, who also determines their number and duties. Their activities
are usually divided as follows: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral studies, science, external
relations and public relations, research and development of the FF MU, relations with
foreign countries, and editorial activities. One of the Vice-Deans is designated as the
Deputy Dean. The Dean determines how the Vice-Deans shall deputise for one another.
(2) The Vice-Deans act on behalf of MU in matters entrusted to the FF MU. Activities that
are the subject of entrusted administration are carried out by the Vice-Deans in
cooperation with authorised staff, the heads of individual units of the Dean’s Office, and
special purpose units.
(3) The term of office of Vice-Deans ends with the term of office of the Dean.
Section 12
Scientific Board of the FF MU
(1) The position of the FF MU Scientific Board (hereinafter referred to as the “FF MU SB”),
its establishment, and its competence are determined by Sections 29 and 30 of the Act,
these Statutes, and the Rules of Procedure of the FF MU SB.
(2) The Dean is the Chair of the FF MU SB, and the FF MU SB meets at least once per
semester. Membership in the FF MU SB is honorary and non-representative. The term
of office of members of the FF MU SB is the same as the term of office of the Dean who
appointed them.
Section 13
Disciplinary Committee of the FF MU
(1) The position of the FF MU Disciplinary Committee, including its establishment and its
competence, is defined in Sections 31 and 69 of the Act and the FF MU Disciplinary Code.
(2) The FF MU Disciplinary Committee has six members; if there is a tie in the decisionmaking
process, then the vote of the Committee Chair is decisive.
Section 14
Dean’s Council
(1)The Dean’s Council is an advisory body to the Dean.
(2)Members of the Dean’s Council are the Dean, Vice-Deans, the Faculty Bursar, a
representative of the academic staff chamber and a representative of the student
chamber of the FF MU AS, delegated by the relevant FF MU AS chamber, and possibly
other members appointed by the Dean at their discretion.
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Section 15
Dean’s Committees
(1)The Dean may appoint committees for specific areas of FF MU activity as advisory or
executive bodies. The Dean appoints the chairs of these committees.
Section 16
FF MU Faculty Bursar
(1)The position and tasks of the FF MU Faculty Bursar are set out in Section 32 of the Act.
(2)The Faculty Bursar is appointed and dismissed by the Dean based on a selection
procedure. The Faculty Bursar is directly subordinate to the Dean and accountable to
them for their activities.
(3)The Faculty Bursar manages and coordinates the financial management of the FF MU
and the work of the Dean’s Office, or other units of the FF MU, as set out in the FF MU
Organisational Regulations. They are methodologically supervised by the MU Bursar.
Section 17
Dean’s Office
(1) The Dean’s Office is the managerial and administrative unit of the FF MU and the Dean.
(2) The Dean’s Office ensures the administration of the FF MU’s academic officials, student
affairs, matters related to the economic activities and management of the FF MU, the
administration of foreign relations, personnel matters, and public presentation of the FF
MU. Details are laid down in the Organisational Regulations of the FF MU.
Section 18
Organisational Structure of the FF MU
(1)The FF MU is divided into academic and non-academic units. Academic units are
established for the purpose of carrying out educational, scientific, research,
development, innovation, artistic or other creative activities. The organisational
structure and interrelationships of units are subject to the Organisational Regulations of
the FF MU.
(2)The heads of FF MU units are appointed by the Dean in accordance with the Regulations
on Competitive Selection Procedures at Masaryk University, with the heads of FF MU
institutes, departments, and seminars usually being appointed for a period of five years.
The head manages the activities of the unit, they are accountable to the Dean for the
proper use of the unit’s powers and resources and are responsible for compliance with
the regulations vis-à-vis the area of financial and study administration within their
competence.
Part Three
Other Provisions
Section 19
FF MU Management
(1) The FF MU manages its allocated funds based on the MU budget, the distribution of
which is approved by the FF MU AS pursuant to Section 27 of the Act. It also manages
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the funds obtained through supplementary activities.
Section 20
Evaluation of FF MU Activities
(1)The MU Rector or the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports determines the conditions,
procedure, and criteria for the evaluation of the FF MU.
(2)The evaluation monitors the quality of the FF MU educational, scientific, and creative
activities, the members of its academic community, its management and other
employees, and its economic efficiency.
(3)Evaluation is based on fulfilment of the FF MU’s long-term plan, comparison of the FF
MU’s performance with other Faculties of Arts in the Czech Republic and abroad, and its
recognition by the scientific community and the wider public. The evaluation is carried
out annually as part of the preparation of the published annual report, and on an
operational basis based on a decision of the MU Rector.
Section 21
Register of Students
(1)In accordance with Section 34 of the MU Statutes, the Dean entrusts the FF MU Office
for Studies to keep a register of students for record-keeping, budgetary and statistical
purposes.
Section 22
Scholarships
(1)FF MU students may be granted scholarships. The principles for granting scholarships to
students of the FF MU are set out in the MU Scholarship and Bursary Regulations. The
Dean is authorised to grant scholarships according to the announced scholarship
programme, or as scholarships granted outside a scholarship programme.
Section 23
Academic Insignia, Ceremonies and Awards
(1) The external expression of the authority and responsibility of academic officers and of
academic traditions, rights, and freedoms, are the Faculty academic insignia and
academic ceremonies.
(2) The academic officers of the FF MU are the Dean, the Vice-Deans and, for the period of
graduation, the Promoter.
(3) The academic insignia of the FF MU are the Dean’s medal, chain, mace, and gowns. The
Dean, Vice-Deans, the Chair of the FF MU AS, members of the FF MU Scientific Board,
the Promoter, the beadle, doctoral students at graduation, and other members of the
academic community are entitled to use Faculty gowns if they are authorised by the
Dean. Documentation of the insignia is stored in the MU Archives.
(4) Academic ceremonies are the inauguration of the Dean, matriculation, and graduation.
The wording of the matriculation and graduation vows is contained in Annex No. 1 to
these Statutes.
(5) The FF MU awards medals to its staff, students, and others who have contributed to the
development of the FF MU, science, and education. Medals are awarded by the Dean of
the FF MU.
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Part Three
Common, Transitional, and Final Provisions
Section 24
Common Provisions
(1) The following Annexes form part of these Statutes:
• Annex No. 1: Text of the matriculation and graduation vows.
(2) In addition to these Statutes, the internal regulations of the FF MU are:
• Election Regulations of the FF MU AS.
• Rules of Procedure of the FF MU AS.
• Rules of Procedure of the FF MU Scientific Board.
• Disciplinary Code for FF MU Students.
Section 25
Final and Transitional Provisions
(1) The FF MU Statutes effective from 9th
October 2017 are hereby repealed.
(2) Pursuant to Section 27(1)(b) of the Act, this Statute of the FF MU was approved by the
Academic Senate of the FF MU on 27th
January 2020.
(3) Pursuant to Section 9(1)(b) of the Act, these Faculty Statutes were approved by the MU
Academic Senate on 2nd
March 2020.
(4) These FF MU Statutes will enter into force on the date of approval by the MU Academic
Senate.
(5) Pursuant to Section 33(5) of the Act, these FF MU Statutes will enter into effect on the
date of publication in the public part of the FF MU website, except for Section 9(2), which
will enter into effect on the first day of the term of office of the FF MU AS elected
immediately after the term of office of the FF MU AS that approved these Statutes.
prof. PhDr. Milan Pol, CSc.
Dean