Nuremberg University of Music President Resigns Amid Abuse of Power Allegations

Rainer Kotzian has resigned as President of the Nuremberg University of Music following months of student protests and allegations of abuse of power, bringing an end to a period of controversy surrounding the institution's leadership.

His resignation took effect on October 16, 2026, following disputes over the university's handling of an incident involving a female student in November 2025.

The controversy began after Kotzian allegedly invited the student to his private hotel room during an external event. According to allegations, his wife, who also teaches at the university, subsequently confronted the student over suspicions of a personal relationship with her husband.

The student initiative Studis gegen Machtmissbrauch Nürnberg accused Kotzian of exploiting his position of authority and obstructing efforts to address the incident.

Kotzian acknowledged that he had made a mistake by failing to adequately consider the power imbalance between a professor and a student, while rejecting certain allegations against him.

The dispute intensified during 2026, with two university equal opportunities officers resigning in the spring amid the controversy.

Student representatives welcomed Kotzian's departure as an initial victory but emphasized that further institutional accountability remained necessary.

Bavarian Science Minister Markus Blume has called for a comprehensive investigation, while the relevant state legal authorities have also become involved.

The case has renewed debate over institutional safeguards within German music conservatories, where individual instruction and close professional relationships can create significant power imbalances.

Kotzian's resignation leaves unresolved questions about the university's handling of complaints, its internal oversight mechanisms and the measures needed to protect students from potential abuses of authority.