At its meeting on 9.10.2024, the Student Parliament (StuPa) of the Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society (HWG LU) adopted far-reaching reforms by a large majority that will fundamentally change the future work and composition of the student parliament. These reforms, which were developed in close cooperation with various student bodies, strengthen the representation and participation of all student groups.
Thecentral aspect of the reform is the new composition of the StuPa from the summer semester 2025:
- Voting members: one member will be elected for every 250 students in each Department.
- Advisory members: In addition to the voting members, the AStA Executive Board and the former presidents of the StuPa will also serve in an advisory capacity.
Another innovation: In future, elections to the student parliament will take place at the same time as elections to the faculty councils in order to promote student participation. The reforms also provide for a clearer distribution of responsibilities and tasks between the student self-governing bodies StuPa and AStA: While the StuPa will in future set the guidelines for the work of the entire student body within the framework of the statutes and will continue to be the supreme decision-making body and adopt the student body's Financial Department, the AStA will remain the executive body responsible for day-to-day business such as the organization of events, parties, workshops and other activities. What is new is the introduction of an AStA chair to better coordinate the work within the AStA.
Commitment to sustainability:
In addition to the structural reforms, the student parliament has decided to apply the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations as a guideline for the work of the student body. Goal 12: sustainable consumption is a particular focus. The student body will pay attention to sustainable consumption when organizing events, for example by avoiding disposable plastic. Sustainability will also be given greater consideration in administrative work, for example through the preferential use of recycled paper and energy-efficient devices. Goal 5 - gender equality - is also promoted. The student body attaches great importance to a balanced representation of all genders in student bodies and committees.
"The reforms are the result of intensive work over a period of six months. During this time, we worked closely with various student bodies to set the course for the future of the student body. I would particularly like to highlight the commitment of Larissa Johnen, StuPa Vice President and Secretary, and Theo Strupp, StuPa Vice President for Cooperation. Their commitment was crucial to the success of this process," praises StuPa President Nicolas Hölzel.
"The suggestions and support from the General Students' Committee (AStA) were also invaluable. Special thanks go to Claudio Albano, Chairman of the AStA, and Julian Reisert, AStA Chief Financial Officer, for their constructive cooperation," continued Hölzel.
"We are very pleased to note the increasing and cross-departmental involvement of students in self-administration," emphasizes University President Prof. Dr. Gunther Piller. "This is of great value to the university." "The student body's decision to align itself with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in future is also in line with the university's efforts as a whole," adds Chancellor Carolin Nöhrbaß.
Specialist contact:
Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society
Nicolas Hölzel
President of the Student Parliament
E-mail:nicolas.hoelzel@ 8< SPAM protection, please remove >8 studmail.hwg-lu.de
