Where students have a say
The student representation not only helps with questions about studying and formulates demands. It also has a say in various university committees. You may already be familiar with the University Council, the Senate and the Faculty Councils from our overview of university elections. However, a lot of work also takes place in commissions and working groups. That is what this article is about.
Library, Language Centre and Co.
In addition to the faculties, the university also has so-called central institutions. The library and the language centre, for example, operate as separate administrative units. In order to contribute the academic perspective, there is an advisory board that advises on fundamental decisions. This involves, for example, how staff are organised, what financial resources are required and how the institutions develop further. This also applies to the Bamberg Academy for Educational Transfer. The Student Parliament even sends representatives directly to the Centre for Teacher Training.
Studies, accreditation, and finances
Central issues are clarified in standing committees:
- The Standing Committee for Teaching and Students (LuSt) decides on changes to degree programmes and module handbooks that the faculties prepare.
- The Standing Committee for the Certification of Study Programmes (ZeKo) is responsible for the accreditation of study programmes, i.e. quality checks. This takes place in fixed cycles. If conflicts arise, the arbitration committee decides. The Committee for Quality in Studies and Teaching (AQSL) provides the discussion platform for general quality assurance issues.
- The Central Study Grant Commission (ZSKo) and a commission from each faculty decide on the distribution of study grants. Study grants are a financial contribution from the state to the universities that has replaced the abolished tuition fees. In these commissions, the students – as is otherwise very rare – make up half of the votes.
- There is also a committee for the selection of scholarship holders for the Deutschlandstipendium.
Sustainability, equality, and good teaching
Other working groups deal with current topics:
- The Sustainability Steering Group and its many working groups are working to make the university fit for an environmentally friendly future.
- The Equal Opportunities Officers coordinate their activities in the Equal Opportunities Advisory Board. The Advisory Board meets in public and is open to interested parties.
- A steering group supports the implementation of the teaching mission statement.
- Issues relating to degree programme marketing are discussed at a round table.
In Franconia, Bavaria, and Germany
The student representatives regularly exchange information with the Studierendenwerk Würzburg. Bamberg representatives can be delegated to the Administrative Board and indirectly to the Representative Assembly of the Studierendenwerk.
The Bavarian State Student Council (BayStuRa) brings together the student representatives of the individual universities at state level. Resolutions are passed jointly at monthly meetings. The BayStuRa liaises closely with state politicians. At federal level, we are represented by the free association of student bodies (fzs).
