Presentation by Danja OSTE, Head of Unit, International Relations 2003 Fulbright Seminar
OUTLINE 1. General remarks 2. Historical overview: origins of the Studentenwerke 3. Introduction to the mission, legal status, organizational structure and funding of the local Studentenwerke 4. Introduction to the mission, legal status, organizational structure and funding of the National Association for Student Affairs ( ) 5. The situation of the Studentenwerke in Germany: Current challenges 6. German-American approach on student services
INTRODUCTION In Germany, the local Studentenwerke (Student service organizations) perform public responsibilities related to the economic, social, health-care and cultural support to all students. These organizations are completely autonomous and fully independent from the higher education institutions which they serve, unlike colleges and universities in Anglo-Saxon, where these responsibilities are carried out by departments that are an integral part of the respective university or college.
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW (I) In the aftermath of World War I, local associations were founded to overcome the lack of food, housing and clothing. They were student-help associations composed of students, lecturers and professors as well as representatives of the local business and industry. During the Nazi Regime the Studentenwerke lost their legal independence and in 1934, were transformed into the newly formed Reichstudentenwerk. They were finally dissolved with the closing of the universities and colleges in spring 1945.
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW (II) After World War II the Studentenwerke were reestablished The unification of Germany on 3 October 1990 was an important turning point in the development of the Studentenwerke. In the former German Democratic Republic (DDR) student services were incorporated into centrally-run university systems.
MISSION The objective of the Studentenwerk organizations is to contribute substancially to the realization of equal opportunities. In collaboration with the higher education institutions and the university towns, the Studentenwerk organizations strive to improve the social framework conditions for higher education study and in doing so, they also have an important role in structuring the higher education living environment.
GENERAL REMARKS: Local Studentenwerke Local Studentenwerke are responsible for providing social, economic and cultural services to all students Total of 61 local Studentenwerke Responsible for 1.8 million students at 300 Higher Education Institutions. Hence, many Studentenwerk organizations are simultaneously responsible for several higher education institutions and, in some cases, for institutions at various locations. With the exception of two, the Studentenwerk organizations are independent statutory bodies of the federal states (Länder). They are non-profit organizations.
In the Federal Republic of Germany, the competence for cultural affairs and the competence for providing student services in the area of higher education lies with the federal states, the Länder. As a result, the scope of activities of the Studentenwerk organizations is not uniform but differs from Land to Land.
TASKS CATERING 747 dining halls and cafeterias ACCOMODATION Renting and maintaining 177.794 rooms in student residence halls (2001)/ Average rent: 155,95 Euro 99.000 rooms have internet access (March 2002) ADMINISTRATION OF FEDERAL EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT ACT (BAföG) 2001: 1,109 billion Euro BAföG (2000: 0,886 billion Euro)
TASKS Additional tasks: advisory services (for psychological problems, social and legal counselling); guiding and counselling centers for students with disabilities, facilities for students with children (day care center for children), health services, insurance for students, other services: info points; service packages for students from abroad cultural activities
FUNDING The local Studentenwerke are non-profit organizations under public law. However, they have to conduct their business in accordance with economic principles. In 2001, the overall budget of the 61 Studentenwerk organizations amounted to 1,004 billion Euro.
Funding Own income (this means turnover profits on sales and rent): 63,9 % of the budget Subsidies allocated by the respective Länder authorities: 16,8 % of the budget Refunds from the Federal State (Länder) Government for the administration of educational grants: 6,7 % of the budget Social contributions levied from the students: 10,5% Other ressources (like support to the children day care centers) 2,1 % of the budget
Funding There is an obvious trend in the funding structure of the Studentenwerk organizations: In the last years, the share of the self-earned income in the overall budget is increasing, whereas the share of the Länder subsidies is decreasing. Another interesting conclusion that can be drawn is the fact that students participate in the funding of the local Studentenwerk by paying their social contribution per semester (average 33,- Euro) and by benefiting from the catering and housing service.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE (I) The organizational structure of the local Studentenwerk organizations is slightly different from federal state to federal state. In general, the local Studentenwerk organizations have three governing bodies: the Executive Manager (Geschäftsführer), the Board (Vorstand) and the Administrative Council (Verwaltungsrat)
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE (II) Traditionally, students and professors are represented in the Board as well as in the Administrative Council. Furthermore, it is foreseen that representatives of public life are taking part in the internal decision-making process. The Executive Manager is elected by the Administrative Council and appointed after confirmation by the respective minister on Länder level.
DEUTSCHES STUDENTENWERK (DSW) - NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS The (DSW) is the voluntary national association of the 61 local Studentenwerk organizations. The DSW is a non-profit organisation The DSW holds a neutral position towards political, religious and ideological groups.
FUNDING It is funded by contributions made by all member organizations for student affairs (each local Studentenwerk organization pays a fee per student) and by the financing of projects carried out on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education.
TASKS (I) The DSW fulfills four major tasks (classical duties of an umbrella group). The DSW: A. supports and promotes its MEMBER ORGANISATIONS, while observing their independence and autonomy, in the fulfillment of their defined responsibilities, in particular by
TASKS (II) representing the interests of its member organizations and contributing their expertise to national and federal state legislation supporting the Studentenwerk organizations either collectively or individually by organizing special conferences, compiling working aid, publishing information material and carrying out initial and continuing education and training pursuing an active policy of PR-work
TASKS (III) B. represents and safeguards the social-economic interests of the STUDENTS publishing reports and commentaries on relevant legislation conducting regularly representative social surveys on the socio-economic situation of students (in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Research)
TASKS (IV) C. maintains close CO-OPERATION with INSTITUTIONS and ORGANISATIONS in the Higher Education sector which serve the same or similar purpose Co-operation on national level: German Rectors Conference, Standing Conference of Federal State Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs, German Academic Exchange Service etc. Co-operation on international level: Centre National des Oeuvres Universitaires et Scolaires (CNOUS); National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA); etc.
TASKS (V) D. executes projects on behalf of the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT or FEDERAL STATES organizing and managing a number of national competitions such as the poster competition for graphic/design students managing the National Advisory Center for study applicants and students with disabilities
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE (I) The DSW has three executive bodies: the MEMBERS ASSEMBLY the EXECUTIVE BOARD the SECRETARY GENERAL
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE (II) The Members Assembly, which determines the principle guidelines of the umbrella group, is composed of representatives of the 61 Studentenwerk organizations and meets annually. Calculated on a basis of 4.000 students, a local Studentenwerk organization receives one vote in the Members Assembly; a maximum of 10 votes per local Studentenwerk organization is fixed.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE (III) The Board, elected by the General Assembly, is comprised of 3 professors, 3 students and 3 executive managers of the local Studentenwerk organizations. The Board nominates the Secretary General who assumes the executive responsibility and heads the national office with a staff of approximately 40 people.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE (IV) The composition of the Board shows that students play a major role in the internal decision-making process of the DSW since they are equal in number with the representatives of the higher education institutions and with the Executive managers. Furthermore, the active participation of professors in the board highlights the close linkage between the universities and the DSW. Even if the DSW is legally independent from the universities, there is an intensive cooperation between these institutions.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE (V) Apart from the three above mentioned executive bodies, the DSW has a consultative committee, the Board of Trustees, which supports and promotes the objectives of the DSW. The Board of Trustees consists of 21 representatives appointed for a periode of two years. The composition of the Board of Trustees shows that all relevant parties of society acting in the field of education and dealing with matters related to student affairs are integrated.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE (VI) Members of the Board of Trustees are representatives of - the German Rectors Conference, - student organisations, - the national and federal state governments, - the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), - the German Association of Municipal Authorities, - the Trade Unions, - the German Chamber of Industry and Trade, - the Bundestag parliamentary parties - other public figures