The 74th Student Parliament of RWTH Aachen University has elected a new General Students’ Committee (AStA). Frank Münster takes over as chair. Jule Stark is deputy chair and Officer for Teaching and University Communication. The team also includes Theodor Teslia for Finance, Alexander Achziger for Administration, Organization and IT, David Reuters for Social Affairs, Nina Stender for Sustainability and Student Engagement, and Carina George for Public Relations and Civic Education. Claas Mummert continues his work as Culture Officer.
A large part of the new team brings experience from work in the Fachschaften (departmental student councils). Collaboration with the Fachschaften and support for student volunteering are therefore set to play a particularly important role in the coming term. “Many of us know from our own experience how much time and dedication goes into student engagement. We want to work closely with the Fachschaften and together make sure that students can actively shape their university life,” says Frank Münster. He studies Applied and Molecular Biotechnology and has been active in the Fachschaft Biowissenschaften (Life Sciences) for over four years, two of them on its executive board. As the new chair, he coordinates internal processes and represents the AStA externally.
Another concern is cross-border mobility. After the semester ticket was already extended to buses and trains in the Dutch region of South Limburg, negotiations are currently under way on extending rail usage in the Belgian border region. “Thanks to our location in the tri-border region, we have many opportunities to strengthen student mobility across borders. We want to make these more usable for students,” says Münster.
The Department for Teaching and University Communication, led by Jule Stark, works for better teaching, learning and examination conditions. One focus is advising on individual examination-law matters. Students are to be better informed about their rights in exams. At the same time, the department wants to intensify exchange with the Fachschaften in order to pick up on problems early and, together with the university, initiate improvements.
David Reuters takes over the Social Affairs department, where he previously worked as part of the staff unit for social affairs. He studies Social Sciences and wants to continue providing reliable support for students in difficult life situations. This includes social loans and emergency housing, as well as advisory services on BAföG, housing, student financing, jobbing, health insurance and studying with a child. Legal and tenancy law advice also remain an important part of the offering.
Nina Stender, Officer for Sustainability and Student Engagement, studies Social Sciences and has been involved in initiatives since the start of her studies. She wants to use this experience to support committed students, improve the framework conditions for student engagement and bring new ideas for a more sustainable university.
Culture Officer Claas Mummert wants to build on the events and collaborations of his previous term. In addition to a drag show, a silent party and a K-pop party, they were able to offer free drawing, screen printing and stencil workshops, among other things. Collaboration with local cultural institutions is also meant to keep growing. “Many collaborations need time to develop. That’s why I’m glad we can continue the cooperation we have begun and organize new events together. It’s important to me that, alongside events at fair prices, there continue to be free offerings,” explains Mummert.
Carina George takes over Public Relations and Civic Education. She studies Business Administration and has been active in the Fachschaft Wirtschaftswissenschaften (Economics and Business) for over three years. “I want students to get a better sense of what the AStA does for them, where they can find support and how they can get involved themselves. Civic education should also reach those who have had little contact with university politics so far,” says George. To this end, she wants to strengthen cooperation with the Fachschaften and initiatives.
Alexander Achziger and Theodor Teslia secure the organizational and financial foundations of the work. Achziger studies Business Administration and, in the Department for Administration, Organization and IT, is responsible for procurement, internal administrative processes, and the maintenance and modernization of the IT infrastructure, among other things. His department also supports the other AStA departments and the Fachschaften with organizational questions. Theodor Teslia studies Mathematics and Computer Science and also brings experience from Fachschaft work. As Finance Officer, he manages the budget of the student body and monitors the proper use of student funds. His tasks include bookkeeping and budget planning, financial support for the Fachschaften and student initiatives, and the administration of loans.
The new AStA thanks everyone for the trust placed in it and looks forward to working together in the coming year!
(translated using AI)