The Studentenwerk (plural: Studentenwerke) or Studierendenwerk is a state-run non-profit organization for student affairs in Germany. Each Studentenwerk is organized at the local level so that it covers one or more universities. The umbrella organization for the 58 local Studentenwerke is the German National Association for Student Affairs (Deutsches Studentenwerk – DSW), which was founded in 1921.
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Studentenwerke provide public services for the economic, social, medical and cultural support for students enrolled at German universities. In particular, they run university cafeterias, dormitories, and provide the BAföG program to finance studies with grants and loans. The national association includes multiple stakeholders of German society and collaborates with other students' affairs organizations worldwide.
Tasks
Studentenwerke fulfill the following tasks:
The umbrella organization Deutsches Studentenwerk is active in:
National Association
According to the statutes, Deutsches Studentenwerk has three bodies: the general assembly, the Executive Board, and the Secretary General. There is also a Board of Trustees (Kuratorium), which is composed of the German Rectors' Conference, students, representatives of federal and regional government, the German Cities Association (Deutscher Städtetag), unions and employers as well as members of parliament and other public figures. The States' Council (Länderrat) consults the Executive Board and the Secretary General in all matters of fundamental importance. The students council (Studierendenrat), established in May 2004, also plays an important role. It is composed of student members who are actively involved in the bodies of local Studentenwerke. In addition to this, there are nine committees on specific subjects which consult the association.
International Relations
The German National Association for Student Affairs (Deutsches Studentenwerk) strives for higher education to be a "tolerant, open and culturally diverse higher education area", in which the social and economic well-being of students is guaranteed by the "European model of strong, public, autonomous and non-profit student affairs and services".
The growing internationalization of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) involves not only research and teaching, but also involves the understanding that excellent social and economic living conditions for all students is a precondition for successful learning. It also requires broad access to higher education for all social groups in a society of knowledge. Therefore, the Deutsches Studentenwerk is working towards free, democratic and accessible higher education for everyone regardless of social background or nationality. The international and intercultural activities of DSW intend to create a free exchange of experience, mutual learning and to create new knowledge in all important areas of student affairs.
Establishing and developing relationships with partner organisations abroad, including the exchange of information and experience with these organisations is a core commitment of Deutsches Studentenwerk. DSW cooperates with numerous partner organisations abroad. For more than 40 years, close relations have been maintained with partners in France, Italy, and Poland. On the European level, Deutsches Studentenwerk works closely with the organisations that are united in the European Council for Student Affairs (ECStA). Overseas, it cooperates with NASPA in North America and the Japanese National Federation of University Co-operative Associations. The development of collaboration with countries that have recently joined the European Union or are candidates to accession is another core task in international relations.
European Council for Student Affairs
Deutsches Studentenwerk is a founding member of the European Council of Student Affairs (ECStA), the European umbrella group founded in 1999. ECStA’s goal is to improve the social infrastructure at higher education institutions and to support cooperation between organisations that are active in this field. With its actions, ECStA aims to support student mobility for participants of exchange programs and for free movers, who are organising and financing their studies abroad themselves.
The focus of ECStA's work lies on study financing, housing, food, counselling and cultural activities of students. Apart from this, the Council organises conferences and seminars, carries out research projects, and arranges exchange projects for students and staff. Finally, ECStA works as a consulting body for the institutions of the European Union as well as for national governments in all questions regarding the social framework of studying.