PADUA 2010 1

The Studentenwerke Model in Germany

Achim MEYER AUF DER HEYDE Secretary General

German National Association for Student Affairs(Deutsches Studentenwerk - DSW)

APSSA Brisbane 2010 2

Outline

1. Student Affairs/Services in Germany

2. Student Services worldwide – Status and Global Challenges

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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

German Student Affairs

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long tradition since 1919

founded as self help organisations by students and academic staff

today 58 Studentenwerke

all 300 higher education institutions

in 180 cities of higher education

all 2 million students

One Studentenwerk: responsible for several universities & occasionally regional competence

Studentenwerke today

German Student Affairs

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Structure

Executive Director (Geschäftsführer)

Housing Restaurants Counselling Finances Personnel ....

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL (Verwaltungsrat)Representatives from each group

Universities Students Ministry / Govt

German Student Affairs

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Funding of the Studentenwerke 2009annual overall turnover 1.37 bn Euro 100%own revenues (restaurants and residence halls) 860 mio Euro 66%students' contributions 185 mio Euro 14%public subsidies 143 mio Euro 11%subsidies for administration national financial aid system 74 mio Euro 6%others 32 mio Euro 3%

own income66%

Länder Subsidies11%

refunds for BAföG administration

6%

student contributions

14%

others3%

German Student Affairs

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RESTAURATION

780 student restaurants and cafeterias on campuswith 210’000 seated places85 million meals per year

German Student Affairs

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HOUSING

181’300 places in student housing average monthly rent 2008: 199,29 Euro 12% of all students live in STW residence halls high percentage of international students

German Student Affairs

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Study Financing / Child Care

1.82 bn Euro federal grants & loans (BAFöG) for in average 351000 students 2008

6691places in child care (in 194 facilities)

German Student Affairs

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Further Activities

• Psychological and social counseling (43 STW) – Psychological counseling: 23000 students in individual and

group counseling, 66000 individual sessions– Social counseling: 58000 individual sessions

Cultural activities (54 STW) Support for international students and

International Activities Job placement Poster competition

German Student Affairs

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Specific Services to international students

• Multilingual websites• Service Packages• Welcome programs

• International tutors• Intercultural programs• Peer-to peer programs

German Student Affairs

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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

German Student Affairs

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Relation/Cooperation DSW – Studentenwerke

• DSW supports ist members:

– consultancy in specific questions

– Trainee programs for staff - one 6th of 15.000 per year)

• DSW represents members interests - lobbying

– Changes in laws, financial support or public investment

• DSW coordinates projects:

– Research on students needs and demand

– Quality management of Studentenwerke

• DSW coordinates contracts:

– Overregional purchase

German Student Affairs

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Board of Trusteessupports the DSW in the fulfillment

of its duties; promotes the aimsof the DSW

German Rectors' Conference

national and federal state governments

student organisations

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

trade unions

German Employers Organisations

Bundestag parliamentary parties

German Association of Municipal Authorities

Standing Conference of Ministers of Education, Science and Culture

German Student Affairs

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Specific Projects on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Education and Resarch

• Survey on Economic and Social Conditions of Student Life in the Federal Republic of Germany

– Long-term research since 1951- every three years– 19th has been published in 2010

• annual competitions: arts and design, civil society • Specific Counseling departments:

– Service Agency for Intercultural Competence (SIK)– Service Agency for Information and Counseling for

Students with Disabilities (IBS)

German Student Affairs

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Student Services in Higher Education

key factor in higher education - next to research and teaching

are fundamental for the profile and competitiveness of universities and higher education areas

Student Services/Affairs enable

– equal access to universities, – retention– successful studying, – focus on academic achievements, – speedy graduation and – entry into the labour market.

• realize the Social Dimension

Student Services - Status

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Why are Student Services/Affairs important in Future?

higher education in a country only attractive by education, research and comparable and competitive student affairs/services

• Consequences: Student affairs have to be promoted in higher education and by the

public authorities International benchmarks have to be identified and implemented in

the home country that’s why global networking/interaction between student affairs

institutions has to be promoted worldwide

Conclusions