Whether extending the opening hours, summer party, or Campus Fair – the students' representation actively shapes the day-to-day at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt. But what exactly do the members of the students' representation do?
Published on 19 September 2025
Shaping university life, taking part in important decisions, being heard: A higher education institution needs active students who voice their concerns. The students' representation (STV) at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) acts as the mouthpiece for all students. The STV campaigns for students' study-related, economic, and social concerns. In this, the STV promotes equal opportunity, represents different interests, and brings German and international students together. Some activities are externally visible, a lot happens in the background - always with the goal of making the day-to-day at THWS more just and worth living.
Two years ago, Jan-Christoph Langner participated in the inaugural meeting - his introduction to STV work. Today, the student of Business and Engineering is the leader of the spokesperson council and head of finances. "The tasks of the students' representation are an opportunity to gain practical experience in teamwork, organisation, and structures – without any pressure and without a grade at the end," he explains. "You complete these tasks because you really want to change things and not because you have to."
Organisation and responsibilities
The students' representation acts as collective representation, i.e. it is supposed to represent the opinions of all students to the university management and the higher education institution in general. In this, individual boards cover different responsibilities:
Student bodies are the smallest organisational units of the students’ representation. They represent students' interests in faculty matters. The spokesperson council and the student council are the two central organs of the students' representation. Together, they take on the STV tasks. The student council is the highest student-only committee at THWS. It consists of the student bodies council, i.e. the individual student bodies, the students elected for the senate, and 20 additional, directly elected members. The spokesperson council consists of two student senators, two spokespersons elected by the student council, and two delegates of the student bodies council. The council's responsibilities include communicating with the university management and other higher education institutions. It implements the decisions of the student council and is concerned with finances. Within the spokesperson council, there are different departments, e.g. for culture, finances, or social affairs. The annual election of the senate, faculty councils, and the student council takes place in connection with the THWS elections.
Campus live connects
But the STV is more than just council work and organisational structures - it is the epitome of active contribution to everyday student life. Where co-determination meets community, vivid events are created that enliven campus life.
One of the highlights was the revival of the legendary Schweinfurt summer party, that took place again for the first time after the Corona break in May 2025. The Rundbau on Campus Ignaz Schön turned into a party location with two dance floors. The Campus Fair is a bit quieter but just as vivid. BBQ, karaoke, live music, and various info stands invite participants to network and discover the diverse offers.
Another event is the friendly competition "WÜ vs. SW", in which the different THWS locations compete in disciplines like football, volleyball, or FIFA. These competitions are about more than sports rivalry - they create new contacts and team spirit.
But the STV does not only organise events. They also campaign for structural improvements. One of their last successes was the extension of the building opening hours during the lecture period from 20:30 to 22:00. This makes THWS the ideal place for group work, student groups, and study sessions, even at a later hour. The STV is also actively involved in current issues such as negotiations on semester tickets, food offerings in the canteens, and the provision of period products in the lavatories.
They also act as contact point for questions, complaints, or ideas. Jan-Christopher explains: "Students can contact us with all study-related issues; from housing issues, teaching quality at the faculties, or innovative ideas that would improve student life." All STV efforts pursue one central objective: enriching campus life through personal initiative.
Active involvement by individuals
To meet all these needs, students are required who are willing to get involved. The students' representation depends on the commitment of volunteers who want to actively engage in shaping life at THWS. There are different options for participation. One key form of participation is standing for election in THWS elections to take up a position on a student committee. However, there are also many low-threshold forms of participation that enable active involvement without holding a formal position. A direct entry point is through the student bodies: Interested students can participate in open student body meetings, engage in dialogue, and contribute their ideas – whether at events or in discussions on subject-specific issues. In addition, there are topic-specific university groups and project-related working groups in which students work together on specific issues and develop concrete projects. As a general rule: If you are interested in university politics or student commitment, you can reach out via email, at convention meetings, or during office hours.
Connecting students and the University
The students' representation plays a key role in developing THWS, acting as the linking chain between the students and the university management. "The students' representation acts as mouthpiece for students and contributes fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to THWS," chancellor Stefan Hartmann emphasises. In this, the STV actively represents student interests in committees like the senate, the university council, or the faculty councils. To support this commitment in the long term, THWS provides the students' representation with rooms and financial resources, including offices, equipment, and its own budget for projects and events. In order to reinforce the effectiveness of the students' representation in future, a project was created to re-structure the work of the STV. "In the long term, the project aims to strengthen the visibility and attractiveness of the students' representation and to revitalise the composition as a result," says Stefan Hartmann. Regular and transparent dialogue between university management and students' representation forms the basis for future-oriented cooperation and dynamic higher education policy. The objective: increasing students' integration and motivation.
Responsibilities of the students' representation
- Representation of the specific, economic, and social interests of all THWS students
- Promotion of intellectual, musical, cultural, and sporting interests of all THWS students
- Maintenance of relationships with German and international students
- Promotion of equal opportunity of students
Student organs
Student council
The student council is a central STV organ that cooperates closely with the spokesperson council to carry out tasks at hand. This is achieved through monthly meetings as well as working groups, projects, and committees on various topics.
Spokesperson council
This important STV body supports communication with the university management through regular meetings with the president and the chancellor. They also occasionally network with other higher education institutions.
Student bodies council
The student bodies council consists of the 20 leaders of the individual student bodies of a faculty.
Student bodies
A student body of a faculty (Fachschaft) represents faculty-related student interests.
Committees of 6 ("6-er Gremien")
Each committee has a committee of 6 consisting of three professors and three students. In these committees, the mandatory student contribution in distributing the study allowances.
Do you want to get informed or participate?
Website: stv.thws.de
Instagram: @stvthws
E-mail: spr.stv[at]thws.de
