Shaping the Social Dimension: the Role of Student Services and Affairs in a German & European Perspective Danja OSTE Special Assistant to the Secretary General German National Association for Student Affairs (Deutsches Studentenwerk - DSW) 1
Outline I. Political context: inclusion of social services II. III. IV. Mind setting: General reflections on student services Short introduction to the structure, objectives and tasks of StudentAffairs/Services in Germany Student Affairs in Europe -European Council for Student Affairs (ECStA) Perspectives/Conclusions 2
I. Political context: inclusion of student services London Communiqué (2007, no. 2.18):..We therefore continue our efforts to provide adequate student services,.. Leuven Communiqué (2009, no. 9): Access to higher education should be widened by fostering the potential of students from underrepresented groups and by providing adequate conditions for the completion of their studies. This involves improving the learning environment,. UNESCO World Conference on Higher Education 2009 Final Communiqué (2009, par.51 point l): Member states should ensure active student participation, and provide adequate student services 3
Three key areas in Higher Education RESEARCH TEACHING Universities STUDENT SERVICES social dimension student service organizations 4
Student Services in Higher Education Student Services/Affairs enable equal access to universities (study financing) socially viable study conditions (housing and dining services) retention and successful studying (counseling services) support of international students (tutorial & cultural programs) speedy graduation &entry into the labour market (Career Services) Student Services provide services to students and universities are profiling universities and their competitiveness 5
German Student Affairs Student Affairs in Germany Vision Making studying successful Guarantee the social dimension in higher education Mission Contribution to equal opportunities for all students Contribute to study success and completion 6
German Student Affairs Studentenwerke today Founded in 1921 today 58 Studentenwerke ca. 400 higher education institutions 180 cities of higher education 2 million students One Studentenwerk: responsible for several universities & occasionally regional competence 7
German Student Affairs Funding of the Studentenwerke 2010 student contributions 14% refunds for BAföG administration 6% Länder Subsidies 11% others 3% own income 66% annual overall turnover 1.37 bn Euro 100% own revenues (restaurants and residence halls) 899 mio Euro 65,7% students' contributions 199 mio Euro 14,6% public subsidies 140 mio Euro 10,3% subsidies for administration nat l financial aid system 81 mio Euro 5,9% others 48 mio Euro 3,5% 8
German Student Affairs Student restaurants 823 Mensa & Cafeterien 217.865 seated places 85 mio full meals per year Average price per meal: 2-2,80 9
German Student Affairs HOUSING Ca. 180.000 units in student residences average monthly rent 2010: 208 Euro 12% of all students live in STW residence halls 36% of international students in residences 10
German Student Affairs Study Financing (BAföG) 395.000 recipients of financial aid (quota: 22%) 1.94 bn p.a. federal loans &grants 375 average allowance (50% grant /50% loan) 648 maximum allowance Child Care & Counseling 43 STW: psychological counseling 45 STW: social counseling 40 STW: special needs students 7345 places in child care (221 facilities) 11
German Student Affairs Support for cultural activities Cultural projects for students Courses and workshops Space/locations Specific services to international students Multilingual websites Service Packs & Welcome programs International tutors Intercultural programs Peer-to peer programs 12
German Student Affairs Deutsches Studentenwerk - DSW German National Association for Student Affairs voluntary association of all 58 local Studentenwerke DSW Tasks: supports and promotes its MEMBER ORGANISATIONS represents social-economic interests of the STUDENTS co-operates with INSTITUTIONS/ORGANISATIONS in the Higher Education sector Carries out projects on behalf of the Federal Government or Federal States 13
Student services in Europe European Council for Student Affairs (ECStA) Founded in February 1999 due to the increasing importance of the Bologna Process aim: promotion of quality student services across Europe 17 member organizations in 13 countries Performing classical task of an European umbrella organization 14
Student services in Europe ECStA Members Austria Austrian Study Grant Authority Belgium Inter-University Council of the French Community (CIUF) General Council of Hautes Ecoles (CGHE) Flemish Inter-University Council (VLIR) Flemish Higher Education Council (VLOHRA) Denmark UngesBoligService.dk Estonia KYLA Finland -Finnish Student Housing Ltd. (SOA) France -National Centre of University and School Works (CNOUS) Greece -National Youth Foundation (EIN) Italy National Association of Organizations for the Right to University Study (ANDISU) Norway -Samskipnadsradet i Norge Portugal -Social Support Services of Coimbra University -Social Support Services of Bragança Polytechnics Inst. Sweden -Swedish Student Accommodation Association (SSBF) Switzerland Intercantonal Conference on Study Grants (CIBE) Germany - Deutsches Studentenwerk (DSW) 15
Student services in Europe ECStA Members Model One national organisation responsible for all sectors of student services -France (CNOUS) -Germany (DSW) -Italy (ANDISU) -Norway (Samskipnadsradet) One national organisation responsible for one sector -student housing -Finland (Finish Student Housing) -Sweden (Swedish Student Accommodation Association) -United Kingdom (ASRA) -student financing -Austria (Austrian Study Grant Authority) -Sweden (CSN) Regional/l ocal organisations responsible for one/all sectors -Belgium (CIUF), (CGHE), (VLIR) and (VLHORA) -Denmark (UngesBoligService.dk) -Portugal (Student Affairs of Bragança and of Coimbra) 16
Student services in Europe ECStA Strategies Different approaches to student affairs in Europe heterogeneous organizational structure Diverse services provided in different countries however: common values + mission important partners for success of European Higher Education Area 17
Main Challenges for Student Services & Affairs European Universities: growing competitiveness & need to sharpen their profile Financial restrictions Student demographics Diversification of student population & new learning culture Internationalization: increase in international students 18
Student Services have to be strengthened Berlin Declaration on the Social Dimension Recommendations for strong student affairs and services in Europe: - To define specific targets for the development of the social dimension of higher education - To provide adequate funding not only for research and teaching, but equally for the support of students in social, economic, cultural, psychological and health matters - To improve access to higher education for underrepresented groups, in order to make the student population representative of the society at large - To maintain strong student participation in all matters that concern their academic and personal development in higher education - To promote the history and tradition of the European university city, with strong integration of academic life and institutions into the society at large - To provide support for the exchange of experiences and peer-to-peer training of professionals in student affairs and around the globe - To establish a staff exchange mechanism or program for student affairs and services within Europe 19
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! Questions? www.studentenwerke.de www.ecta.org 20