Economy
CEU answers key questions related to legislative changes in Hungary
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The following is an excerpt from the publication, which answers key questions not only for students but everyone that cares about CEU’s future and academic freedom in Hungary.
1. How would the amendments to Hungary’s Act CCIV of 2011 on national higher education affect CEU’s operations in Hungary?
As CEU President and Rector Michael Ignatieff has repeatedly stated, CEU will continue all of its current academic activities. Now that the Hungarian Parliament has passed these discriminatory amendments, CEU will use all legal means to fight them.CEU remains unalterably opposed to any legislation that puts academic freedom at risk and will contest the constitutionality of this legislation. CEU will ensure that it continues its operations as a free and independent graduate university. Prospective students should not fear that these amendments will affect their education. Even if the amendments go into effect, CEU has until January 1, 2018 to comply. The amendments will not have retroactive effect and all programs that have already started on or before January 1, 2018 will continue under the current rules.
2. Is it true that CEU does not comply with Hungarian higher education regulations?
This is patently false. CEU has been operating legally in Hungary for over two decades.
3. Will CEU continue its operations?
CEU will, indeed, continue its operations under all circumstances.
4. Will CEU move to the U.S. or to any other country?
We are committed to remain in Budapest, our home town of over two decades. We will use all legal means to fight discriminatory legislation.5. Will CEU’s name change?
CEU is a recognized brand for quality graduate education and we do not intend to change the name.
6. Will CEU remain an independent institution able to exercise its academic freedom?
Yes, a crucial part of higher education is the ability of students and professors to be free to research the topics of their choice in an open environment that welcomes debate and discussion. As CEU President and Rector Michael Ignatieff wrote in his New York Times op-ed on April 3, 2017, “As for Central European University, its board and its administration will never surrender its academic freedom to anyone."
7. Will CEU’s international faculty, its curriculum or the quality of education be compromised?
Absolutely not. The quality of our programs and curriculum is well-known throughout Europe and the world. CEU’s academic programs are ranked highly by Times Higher Education and QS Rankings Worldwide. CEU is recognized as the 39th best young university in the world according to the latest Times Higher Education ranking, published on April 5, 2017. In addition, our degree programs in the fields of politics and international studies were ranked 42nd in the world according to the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) subject ranking, as announced on March 8, 2017. CEU faculty remain dedicated to providing this high level of academic excellence.
8. Should I still apply for academic year 2017/2018?
You should absolutely feel confident in applying for academic year 2017/2018 (as stated in #1).
9. Will the accreditation of the University be affected?
No. CEU holds an absolute charter from the New York State Education Department. In the United States, CEU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, while its Hungarian entity, KEE (Közép-európai Egyetem) is accredited by the Hungarian Accreditation Committee. Neither will change.
10. Will the accreditation of my degree be affected?
No. All programs are and remain registered by the New York State Education Department. Similarly, the Hungarian programs are and will remain accredited by the Hungarian Accreditation Committee. The law affects none of them.
11. Will the program I applied for/got accepted to start in fall 2017 as planned?
Indeed, all programs will begin as normal in the fall of 2017.
12. Will my tuition fee/deposit be refunded if CEU and the Hungarian government cannot find common ground?
As per #1, all programs that have already started on or before January 1, 2018 will continue under the current rules and therefore, will not be affected.
13. Does the current situation affect my application for scholarship?
No, the current situation does not affect your application for scholarship. CEU's Offices of Admissions & Financial Aid continue to work as normal. We started publishing admissions decisions on April 3, 2017, for those of you who applied by February 1, 2017. Notifications are ongoing, so please bear with us.
14. Can CEU sustain its financial stability?
The university’s financial situation is secure. CEU, like most American universities, has an endowment meant to support the university's operations over its lifetime. Some of CEU's programs are also supported by generous donors and foundations. In addition, CEU is the regional leader in winning European Research Council (ERC) grants.
Key statements
- CEU complies with Hungary’s higher education rules;
- CEU will continue its operations under all circumstances;
- CEU has no plan to relocate from Budapest;
- CEU will use all legal means to fight legislation it considers discriminatory;
- CEU will remain independent;
- CEU’s international faculty, its curriculum or the quality of education will not be compromised;
- The accreditation of CEU degrees will not be affected;
- All programs will start as normal in the fall of 2017 and those that have already started will continue.
1. How would the amendments to Hungary’s Act CCIV of 2011 on national higher education affect CEU’s operations in Hungary?
As CEU President and Rector Michael Ignatieff has repeatedly stated, CEU will continue all of its current academic activities. Now that the Hungarian Parliament has passed these discriminatory amendments, CEU will use all legal means to fight them.CEU remains unalterably opposed to any legislation that puts academic freedom at risk and will contest the constitutionality of this legislation. CEU will ensure that it continues its operations as a free and independent graduate university. Prospective students should not fear that these amendments will affect their education. Even if the amendments go into effect, CEU has until January 1, 2018 to comply. The amendments will not have retroactive effect and all programs that have already started on or before January 1, 2018 will continue under the current rules.
2. Is it true that CEU does not comply with Hungarian higher education regulations?
This is patently false. CEU has been operating legally in Hungary for over two decades.
3. Will CEU continue its operations?
CEU will, indeed, continue its operations under all circumstances.
4. Will CEU move to the U.S. or to any other country?
We are committed to remain in Budapest, our home town of over two decades. We will use all legal means to fight discriminatory legislation.5. Will CEU’s name change?
CEU is a recognized brand for quality graduate education and we do not intend to change the name.
6. Will CEU remain an independent institution able to exercise its academic freedom?
Yes, a crucial part of higher education is the ability of students and professors to be free to research the topics of their choice in an open environment that welcomes debate and discussion. As CEU President and Rector Michael Ignatieff wrote in his New York Times op-ed on April 3, 2017, “As for Central European University, its board and its administration will never surrender its academic freedom to anyone."
7. Will CEU’s international faculty, its curriculum or the quality of education be compromised?
Absolutely not. The quality of our programs and curriculum is well-known throughout Europe and the world. CEU’s academic programs are ranked highly by Times Higher Education and QS Rankings Worldwide. CEU is recognized as the 39th best young university in the world according to the latest Times Higher Education ranking, published on April 5, 2017. In addition, our degree programs in the fields of politics and international studies were ranked 42nd in the world according to the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) subject ranking, as announced on March 8, 2017. CEU faculty remain dedicated to providing this high level of academic excellence.
8. Should I still apply for academic year 2017/2018?
You should absolutely feel confident in applying for academic year 2017/2018 (as stated in #1).
9. Will the accreditation of the University be affected?
No. CEU holds an absolute charter from the New York State Education Department. In the United States, CEU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, while its Hungarian entity, KEE (Közép-európai Egyetem) is accredited by the Hungarian Accreditation Committee. Neither will change.
10. Will the accreditation of my degree be affected?
No. All programs are and remain registered by the New York State Education Department. Similarly, the Hungarian programs are and will remain accredited by the Hungarian Accreditation Committee. The law affects none of them.
11. Will the program I applied for/got accepted to start in fall 2017 as planned?
Indeed, all programs will begin as normal in the fall of 2017.
12. Will my tuition fee/deposit be refunded if CEU and the Hungarian government cannot find common ground?
As per #1, all programs that have already started on or before January 1, 2018 will continue under the current rules and therefore, will not be affected.
13. Does the current situation affect my application for scholarship?
No, the current situation does not affect your application for scholarship. CEU's Offices of Admissions & Financial Aid continue to work as normal. We started publishing admissions decisions on April 3, 2017, for those of you who applied by February 1, 2017. Notifications are ongoing, so please bear with us.
14. Can CEU sustain its financial stability?
The university’s financial situation is secure. CEU, like most American universities, has an endowment meant to support the university's operations over its lifetime. Some of CEU's programs are also supported by generous donors and foundations. In addition, CEU is the regional leader in winning European Research Council (ERC) grants.
