NOW is election time for the Academic Senate and the Student Parliament
¡¡¡ Everyone at the university and Studienkolleg can vote – regardless of their passport !!!
This election is taking place in a phase of profound change throughout the world. A multipolar world order is emerging, and conflicts and wars are accompanying this change. Enormous social movements in many different countries (from strikes in the USA or here, to demonstrations worldwide for peace in the Middle East) on the one hand, and massive repression and reaction on the other, show the deep contrasts: Everywhere people are rising up and fighting for peace, equality and dignity as well as social justice, and everywhere the fascists and right-wing politicians are working against them. At the same time, Germany is being ideologically and militarily rearmed – all at the disadvantage of peace and at our expense.
This polarization is the result of growing social inequality worldwide and in this country. Dignified working, studying, and living conditions, health, education, science and culture for all are possible. However, they can only be achieved through joint political action against the pursuit of profit and right-wing agitation! To achieve this, we all need to work together in solidarity.
This is why democratic committees – in other words, committees of university members for democratic decision-making on university development – have been fought for over the years at this university. The highest university body is the Academic Senate (AS). Here, students, professors and non-academic staff decide on the organization and content of studies, teaching, and research. The university management is also elected through this body. In the Academic Senate issues are discussed in order to go public with reasonable demands: for example, for a better state funding of education and science, for the social opening of universities or for a reasonable study reform that reduces the unnecessary examination burdens and promotes a sense of joy in learning.
Furthermore, through the Constituted Student Body (the entirety of all the students), we have the legal right and the means to engage in student politics: as a part of international movements, for social and legal improvements here and everywhere. All students elect the student parliament (StuPa). The StuPa in turn elects the Student Parliament Executive Committee (AStA); it should be the organizing center of activity by students for students. This year is especially about:
- Solidarity campaigning to improve the social situation for all or passing on the costs of the crisis to the population?
- Fighting for better state funding for education and science as part of a solidarity movement in the city, or embracing modesty and submission to „constraints“?
- Student commitment to science in the sense of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, or limited learning for competition and business?
- Representation of student interests as part of a social movement for human rights, peace, and solidarity, or driven by egoism and, at most, superficial help “ top-down“?
Choose to become politically active yourself!
There are different lists running for both elections. Not all of them are as continuously and committedly active as they claim to be in the election campaign. The important thing is to make an informed vote!
- University politics should be internationalist and anti-fascist, committed to peace and social democracy.
- Science and education should contribute to humanistic solutions to global problems.
- No more austerity! and good public funding for all aspects of life, because not only universities, but also hospitals and theaters need money!
- The goal of academic reform should be to educate responsible individuals. It is not just about less pressure to perform, but also about research-based learning, a culture of solidarity in the educational system, time for in-depth study, a desire for discussion and social commitment.
There are flyers and programs to help you with this, as well as election newspapers and videos.
Often you will see politically active students at information tables, and you can approach them to ask questions. Careful reading of the materials, and open discussion with participants will show you who is serious about what!
Information about the candidates and manifestos for the Academic Senate can be found under „Wahlwerbung“ here: https://www.kus.uni-hamburg.de/themen/recht/wahlen/akademischer-senat.html
Information about the candidates and manifestos for the student parliament can be found under: stupawahl-uni-hamburg.de
Together, we have the power to decide what happens next: at the university, in the city and – together with many other active people everywhere – in the world.
All students are entitled to vote in the elections to the Student Parliament and the Academic Senate – even without a German passport! Spread the word!
Election to the Student Parliament (StuPa)
The StuPa is the main university body that represents student interests. It has 47 members and elects the Student Parliament Executive Committee (Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss, AStA), which discusses and decides on its political guidelines and has control over the student body budget. The StuPa election will take place during the month of January 2024. Initially it will take place as a mail-in ballot, and between Jan. 22 and Jan. 26 it will continue as an in-person ballot election. If you would like to vote in person, please go to one of the ballot boxes in the university buildings, and please don’t forget to bring your student ID.
Election to the Academic Senate (AS)
The Academic Senate (AS) is the highest body of the university political system. It is involved in the election of the university presidium, discussion of all fundamental university development issues and has official decision-making rights with regard to examination regulations, distribution of funds, university development, etc. The AS is composed of 10 professors, 3 students, 3 research associates and 3 members of the technical, administrative and library staff. All of the necessary election documents have been sent to you by the university, including a postage paid envelope to return your ballot in.
If you have not received any of these documents or there are errors in the documents you were sent, you can also find them at the University’s Election Office until 1:30 p.m. on January 22. The Elections Office hours of operation are Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Completed election documents must be received by the Elections Office, whether sent by prepaid mail or brought in person, no later than 2 p.m. on January 22. The Office is located at Mittelweg 177, room S 4058.
The “Referat für internationale Studierende (RiS)” meets on Wednesdays at 7 pm in the AStA (room 0042). Interested international students are very welcome.
Referat Für Internationale Studierende (RiS) 