The social councils in East German universities are examined in this conference paper. Within the authoritarian structure of East German society, there is not much need for universities to worry about social accountability. They are prevented from straying too far into pure scholarship by ministers who remind them of their duties to the state and the current economic plan. The Ministry of Higher and Technical Education in Berlin appoints the faculty, creates departments, sanctions research, and issues detailed curricula and course book lists for every subject taught, which must be adhered to strictly across the nation. (Author/LBH)