The federal representation

The ÖH Bundesvertretung is the highest level of representation for students in Austria.

Meetings of the Federal Representation

The 55 mandataries of the federal representation are directly elected every two years in the course of the ÖH election. They form the legislative body within the ÖH and meet twice a semester to make decisions for the work of the ÖH. Only lists or parliamentary groups are admitted to the election for the federal representation. The following groups currently have mandates in the federal representation:

  • 14 mandates: Association of Socialist Students in Austria (VSStÖ)
  • 12 mandates: Green & Alternative Students (GRAS)
  • 12 Mandates: Action Group (AG)
  • 6 mandates: Young liberal students (JUNOS)
  • 6 mandates: Independent Student Lists of Austria (FLÖ)
  • 2 mandates: Communist Student _ Inner Association - Left List (KSV LiLi)
  • 2 mandates: Communist Students' Association (KSV KJÖ)
  • 1 mandate: Ring freiheitlicher Studenten (RFS)
The executive of the Austrian National Union of Students consists of a team of chairpersons elected by the federal representation, speakers elected by the federal representation and appointed clerks.

Committees of the ÖH

According to the statutes of the ÖH, eight committees are to be set up, which are appointed according to the strength of the respective faction or list in the federal representation. Currently, the VSStÖ, the GRAS and the AG delegate three persons each, the FLÖ and the Junos one person each to the respective committees.
According to the statutes of the ÖH, eight committees are to be set up, which are appointed according to the strength of the respective faction or list in the federal representation. Currently, the VSStÖ, the GRAS and the AG delegate three persons each, the FLÖ and the Junos one person each to the respective committees.
  • Education Policy Committee
  • Committee for Equal Opportunities
  • International Affairs Committee
  • Special Projects Committee
  • Social Policy Committee
  • Economic Affairs Committee
  • Tutorials Committee
  • Committee for Statutory Matters

All committee meetings, except those of the Economic Committee, are open to the public. The committees usually meet prior to the meetings of the Federal Representative Council, which must be held at least twice per semester, and deal with substantive issues, prepare motions, and serve to prepare for meetings of the Federal Representative Council. Within each of the committees, a chairperson and deputy chairperson are elected and report to the meeting of the federal representation.

Executive of the ÖH

The Executive implements the resolutions passed by the Federal Representation and organizes the day-to-day business of the representation’s work in fourteen units or sixteen work areas. The units take care of the different tasks and consist mainly of volunteers. Each unit is formally headed by a referent, who has to be elected at the meeting of the federal representation. The units and work areas are always available to answer questions.

In addition to the volunteer staff, there are also numerous employees working at the ÖH-Bundesvertretung, taking care of legal counseling, accounting, reception, IT, cleaning, secretarial services and much more. They form the backbone of the ÖH.