As the highest democratically elected body of the university, the Senate is made up of the member groups Professors, Employees and Students. It stands alongside individual functions such as the president or chancellor and, depending on the legal situation, carries out leadership duties of a strategic, advisory, legislative or controlling character. It thus makes decisions regarding, for example, statues, development planning, study courses, research coordination, approval of the structuring into departments and department assignment. Furthermore, the Senate comments on issues including target agreements and the budget plan, appointment recommendations, honorary professorships, the establishment/dissolution of central institutions and the plan for the promotion of women. (For more information see the Hessen Higher Education Act, section 40.) The sessions are open to the entire university.