Studentenwerk [Student Union]

Service, assistance, support – for a successful study!

In Germany, the universities are responsible by law for the "fostering and furthering of science and arts by research, teaching and education" (HRG §2, 1). For any other concern that comes with your study, the local Studentenwerk [Student Union] is there to provide you with:

• A place to stay in the Studentenwohnheim [Student Residence/Dormitory]
• Meals in the "Mensa" [from the Latin word for table: Dining Hall]
• A quick coffee or pastry from the Cafeteria in between lectures
• Help with your application for BAföG [Federal Academic Loan Program]
• For young parents: Day-Care for your child while you are studying.
• Academic support from resident tutors in the student residences/dormitories
• Qualified legal or psychological advice in difficult situations
• A strong partner in the organization of any kind of cultural event (Cabaret, music, student theatre productions and many more)
• The promotion of international cooperation, on and off campus

For all these and many more questions, your first contact point is the Studentenwerk [Student Union].

Studentenwerke [Student Unions] are not university institutions. They first came into being after World War I as a self-help and advocacy group by students for students. So, unlike universities, they are only marginallly funded by (or dependent on) the government.
 
A total of 58 Studentenwerke [Student Unions], organized in the Dachverband Deutsches Studentenwerk (DSW) [Umbrella Organisation of German Student Unions], are responsible for the social and economic well-being of the students in Germany.  Their job is defined by the "Hochschulgesetze der Länder" [State legislation for higher education].  For instance, the Bayerisches Hochschulgesetz [Bavarian legislation act for higher education] describes the main duty of the Studentenwerk [Student Unions] as “the overall economic support of all students of the Staatlichen Hochschulen [State universities]” (BayHSchG Art. 99,1). Less abstractly this means:
 

• The construction and operation of student dormitories
• The operation of catering institutions, as Mensen [dining halls] and cafeterias
• The supply of child-care-facilities for students with children
• The support of students in all cultural and social areas
• The promotion of international relations

But the Studentenwerke [Student Unions] today work to even exceed these  paramount duties. In their quality objectives concerning  service- and support offers they have mapped out the keynote for their work as follows:
“Study-related service and guidance are, next only to the quality of academic  lecture by the universities, indispensable guarantors for an efficient and successful study. They contribute to the Bavarian state's statutory "mission to educate", the uphold of the equality of chance and the development of a well-rounded personality. Thus  they strengthen the individual student's personal, social, cultural and intellectual development.”