Studentenwerk

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.

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.

This student houses have not only practical functions, such as Providing rooms for the cafeteria, they should also serve cultural activities.

Studentenwerke fulfill the following tasks:

The umbrella organization Deutsches Studentenwerk is active in:

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.

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.

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