ÖH at Faculty Level
ÖH at University Level
ÖH on the National Level
On every other level, the tasks of the representation body have been cut down dramatically by the Austrian Universities and Studies Act 2002 (Universitätsgesetz 2002), the law introducing university autonomy which dramatically reduces student participation within university bodies. Since most of the university bodies only have an advisory status, most of the tasks and activities listed below can only be realized at an unofficial level. Decisions are made by single persons or by the senate of each university, where students have a clear minority. The gross of the competence is now concentrated within the Rectorate. In short, one can say that already in 2002 the Ministry aimed to reduce the ÖH to an organization only providing information to students.
Study program representatives
Department representatives
University representatives
National representation
The chairpersons and the officers represent student interests, especially with regard to the ministry of science and research, the ministry of education, arts and culture, political parties and state associations as well as the public.
The following offices exist on the level of national representation:
The Office for Education Politics and the Chairpersons represent the general interests of the National Austrian Student Union in dealings with legislative bodies, state or academic authorities and the public.
While upholding political contacts, this office reviews law and regulation drafts and handels queries pertaining to university law from all levels of the student union. Another agenda is the theoretical work in the area of Austrian and international education politics, the coordination as well as (further) training of the ÖH employees and the area of academies, Universities of Applied Sciences and private universities.
Department for financial affairs
This department is responsible for the administration of the ÖH fee and its distribution as well as the ongoing financial controlling and accountancy. The financial aspects of the projects of the chairpersons and the offices are supervised here. Further areas of activity include personnel issues, the negotiation and conclusion of cooperation, sponsoring and advertising deals, the acquisition of third party financial means from public boards as well as the distribution and processing of subventions. The department for financial affairs also manages the student liability and casualty insurance, the ÖH job and accommodation database and the allocation of various voluntary posts in supervisory boards.
Social Affairs Office
This office offers advice pertaining to questions about study grants, health insurance and maternity pay. In fact, the advisory capacity for students extends also to topics such as tenancy law, studying with child and insurance advice. The social affairs officer further manages the social welfare fund for the support of students who are in need through no fault of their own. The employees of the Social Affairs Office review law drafts (e.g. scholarship law amendments) and participate in the development of new laws.
Office for public relations
This office maintains contact with the media (e.g. via press releases and press conferences), coordinates the producation of printed forms (flyers, posters,...) and manages the online presence. It includes the editorial staff of the national stundent magazine Uni-Versum, which informs the students of scientific, university-related and generally studies-related as well as political topics on behalf of the Austrian Union of Students.
The International Office maintains contact with foreign student representatives and fulfills duties within the framework of international student organisations. Furthermore, it provides information about study grants for abroad and represents the Austrian Union of Students in the respective boards. Its employees also work on questions of international politics such as globalisation and social movements.
The International Students Office belongs to the service area of the ÖH. It is responsible for providing advice to foreign students concerning questions of admission, residence permit, language courses or the pre-study course, financial support etc. On the national level, this office represents the political, social and cultural interest of foreign students. Within the framework of its political representation, the International Students Office organizes activities agains legal discrimination, among other things.
The Office for Feminist Politics deals with the situation of female students in all areas of life and fights against discriminating structures. It (co-)organizes feminist events, such as the International Women's Day (March 8) or International Day against Violence towards Women (November 25).
The Office for Human Rights and Social Politics follows activities in the areas of environmental and peace movements. It coordinates and supports numerous alternative groups and organizes activities and campaigns within its area, such as ecology and sustainability, anti-racism, discrimination in everyday life and resistance politics.
