For several years now, the university group "S.I.N.N" at THWS has been campaigning for more sustainability in everyday student life. The students plan recurring campaigns and want to increasingly implement their plans in university policy. In doing so, they also receive support "from above".
Published on 26 June 2025
While orange is actually the colour of the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS), there are also many efforts to become greener. Some students are actively committed to sustainability and network in the university group "S.I.N.N.". The German abbreviation stands for "Student Initiative for Nature and Sustainability," which is also the organisation's mission: the members want to get involved in meaningful ways and see themselves as a mouthpiece between students and the university administration. Their motto is: "Gather ideas, communicate, bring about change."
It is no longer known exactly when the organisation was founded. The first posts on its own Instagram account, "@s.i.n.n._thws", were published in November 2019, and most of the members at that time have already completed their studies. It is in the nature of a student initiative that participants come and go. The number of members also fluctuates from semester to semester, but usually between 10 to 15 people attend the meetings. These take place every two weeks in the student council room on the Münzstraße campus.
Open and on equal terms
Chiara Wimmer is one of the long-standing members. The 23-year-old is studying Healthcare Management at THWS and has been a member of S.I.N.N. since 2022. Until the end of 2024, she was the initiative's first chairperson, coordinating various projects behind the scenes. Shortly before this article was published, she left the initiative. Her successor in office is Jana Beck. However, Wimmer emphasises that the position is primarily just a legal requirement in order to be considered a university group. "Otherwise, we work completely without hierarchy and on an equal footing." Anyone interested can drop by at any time, get involved, and contribute their ideas. Since a student organisation consists of students, the frequency of activities and meetings varies. "Especially at the end of the semester, the meetings tend to trail off a bit because everyone has their assignments and exams," says S.I.N.N. member Ronja Leuze. She, too, recently had to reduce her involvement due to an internship semester. That is why the initiative is always happy to welcome new members to strengthen the team. Students can also find information about the initiative and planned activities on Instagram.
Only selected tasks, such as cash management or administration of the Instagram and email accounts, are assigned to specific individuals. "Things like taking minutes are simply done by whoever feels like it or has their laptop with them," explains Ronja Leuze. The 23-year-old Architecture student has been with S.I.N.N. since 2023.
Over the years, the initiative has implemented several projects at THWS. For example, almost all THWS students in Würzburg are familiar with the book exchange shelf on the fourth floor of the main building at . Launched by S.I.N.N., it is a popular way to get rid of old tomes and find new reading material. The team also organises events on a regular basis. For example, there are DIY workshops for making sustainable gifts. Or beeswax wraps are produced as an ecological alternative to cling film. Often, the team also goes outdoors to pick wild garlic or take part in litter collection campaigns. The clothes swapping parties, where many items of clothing find new owners, are a real success. "The atmosphere and feedback from the students are always good," says Chiara Wimmer happily.
Making a meaningful difference together
Ronja Leuze can confirm this. In addition to the positive feedback, she often receives questions about who is actually behind the initiatives. "I think many students are not even aware that S.I.N.N. exists." She herself became aware of the initiative through an invitation that was sent to all students by email at the start of each semester. After the first meeting, it was clear to her: "I'm staying." The joint commitment to sustainability and inspiring others is particularly important to her.
Chiara Wimmer wanted above all to get to know fellow students outside her own "degree programme bubble". "Our shared interest in sustainability was a good foundation for this," she says. In addition, she had always been involved in (university) politics and wanted to continue this at THWS. S.I.N.N. was therefore the perfect initiative for her to combine all of this. Over time, many friendships have developed, and after meetings, they often go out for pizza or drinks by the Main River.
In addition, Wimmer also served as the student sustainability officer in the domestic policy department of the Student Convention. This enabled her to better network the initiative and integrate it more closely into university policy in recent months. Nicolas Glaus from the Business School student council now holds the position of student sustainability officer.
More exchange between students and university management
In its efforts to increase participation, S.I.N.N. also receives support from the THWS management. Climate protection manager Katharina Falkenstein, THWS’ sustainability officer Professor Dr. Ulrich Müller-Steinfahrt and Vice President Professor Martin Naumann now attend every second meeting in the student council room. The aim is to create greater cooperation between THWS and students, with S.I.N.N. acting as the link. "Before, it was often the case that we didn't know what the University was planning and, conversely, the University didn't know what we wanted," recalls Ronja Leuze.
The exchange has given both sides a better understanding of each other. The university management receives valuable feedback from students on current sustainability efforts. S.I.N.N. members pass on concerns from the student body and contribute their own suggestions. In return, they receive an assessment of whether the ideas are feasible or not. "Students sometimes have different ideas. To be fair, the University cannot implement everything," says Chiara Wimmer.
For example, the idea of a second exchange shelf for plant cuttings failed due to fire safety issues. An initiative to abolish disposable cups for coffee machines was also unsuccessful. All that remains is to encourage students to bring their own reusable cups.
However, S.I.N.N. is less about major milestones and more about simply being there and acting as a mouthpiece, says Chiara Wimmer. "The greatest success is that we exist and that we are part of the change, even if it is sometimes only very small."
