====== Student self-government – responsibilities & participation ======

Student self-government represents local interests and helps shape life in the residence. Depending on the local constitution, the elected body may be called a **Heimrat** or **Hausrat** (residence or house council). Its working methods, activities and contacts differ between residences.

===== What student self-government does =====

Under the published statute, it represents residents' interests towards Studierendenwerk and helps shape internal rules within the house rules and local constitution. It is not residence management, a legal advice service or an emergency technical service.

Possible local activities include:

  * residents' meetings, elections and information for residents,
  * summer parties, social evenings or other events,
  * community projects and small purchases,
  * communication with residence management, residence advisers or committees,
  * representation of local interests.

Such activities strengthen community life, but they are not the same in every residence and are not permanently guaranteed.

===== Elections & participation =====

A residents' meeting takes place at least once each semester. The residents elect student self-government afresh for that semester. Existing representatives may stand again and serve several terms. Residents can stand for election, vote, propose projects and support the elected body's work. The local constitution determines the individual offices and the detailed rules for invitations and elections.

The invitation method also depends on the residence council and local rules. Common routes are the residence mailing list, notices and established local communication channels. Check several local channels and look for the date, place and agenda; the wiki does not claim that there is one universally required form of invitation.

The still-published 2008 statute describes the intended framework in more detail. Every principal tenant can vote and stand for office. The basis is a constitution approved by a majority of residents and by the House Committee. As possible minimum bodies, the statute names the residents' meeting or meeting of living-group representatives and/or a Heimrat or Hausrat. The local constitution determines the exact arrangement. ((Studierendenwerk Hamburg: statute for self-government, 16 April 2008, https://www.stwhh.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Wohnen/Bewerbungsinformationen/Hausordnung/Statut04-2008.pdf))

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**Practice across the residences**

An election at least once each semester and election by the residents are established general practice. Minutes are taken at the residents' meeting. In particular, they provide a traceable record of the election and changes in office. This also matters in practice where the residence council holds a bank account and, for example, the treasurer changes. The meeting date, agenda and election result should additionally be published locally with a date.
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===== Elected offices & working areas =====

At least the following are elected:

  * a residence spokesperson or equivalent chair,
  * a deputy,
  * a treasurer.

Depending on the residence, residents elect further people for working groups or specific communal facilities. Examples include running a gym, bar team or cinema or film programme. The residence council has overall responsibility and may delegate day-to-day management to a working group under the local constitution. This means key issue, booking, deposits and rules of use can differ between residences. Further roles may be added; this does not create an entitlement to a particular facility in every residence.

Regular participation in student self-government or other Studierendenwerk committees is expressly named as a possible ground for extending a stay in the policy in force since September 2025. Participation does not automatically result in an extension. ((Studierendenwerk Hamburg: admission and extension policy, in force since 22 September 2025, https://www.stwhh.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Wohnen/Bewerbungsinformationen/Konditionen/Aufnahme-_und_Verl%C3%A4ngerungslinien.pdf))

===== From an idea to a community project =====

As a practical guide, prepare a proposal as follows:

  - Discuss the need and objective with interested residents.
  - Check which local office or body is responsible under the constitution.
  - Describe the work, room, date, safety and possible ongoing costs.
  - If funding is needed, use a traceable decision and the current application route.
  - Agree a planned working-group purchase with the residence council and treasurer before buying.
  - Give receipts to the treasurer promptly and document them under the local rules.
  - Tell the residence community about the event or result in good time.

A summer party, social evening or small purchase can then be supported by the community. Before implementation, clarify with the responsible service whether rooms, insurance, fire safety or approval are involved.

===== Budget: €1.50 per resident per month =====

The forms currently used to apply for self-government funding calculate **€1.50 per resident per month** (August 2026). This amount forms part of the gross rent and is not collected separately by student self-government.

Student self-government, normally through the treasurer, requests the resulting budget from Studierendenwerk once each semester. The residence council decides how it is used. The treasurer records income and expenditure and collects receipts for orders and other expenses. The accounts are checked shortly before the residents' meeting; details may follow from the local constitution.

Where a working group buys something for its activities, the same process applies: the expenditure is agreed through the designated route, the residence council decides on use of the budget and the receipts go to the treasurer so they can be recorded in full and presented at the accounts check.

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**How the underlying documents fit together**

The standard tenancy agreement dated February 2026 names a student self-government contribution included in the gross rent. The still-published 2008 statute describes an appropriate contribution of no more than one per cent of the standard rent. For budget applications, the current form and amount stated there are authoritative. ((Studierendenwerk Hamburg: standard tenancy agreement for permanent residents, February 2026, https://www.stwhh.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Wohnen/Bewerbungsinformationen/Konditionen/Standard_Mietvertrag_Stand_Februar_2026.pdf)) ((Studierendenwerk Hamburg: statute for self-government, 16 April 2008, https://www.stwhh.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Wohnen/Bewerbungsinformationen/Hausordnung/Statut04-2008.pdf))
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Expenditure should follow the residence council's decision and be traceable under the local constitution. Current names, election dates, account balances and activities belong in local communication and need a date of validity.

===== Limits of student self-government =====

Student self-government represents interests and organises participation, but does not decide on tenancy agreements, deposits, extension applications or technical commissions. It must not promise general facilities that exist only in individual houses. Residence management handles agreements and official decisions; damage follows the technical reporting route; HAA and ZA have separate roles in admissions and extensions.

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===== Related pages =====

  * [[en:mitbestimmung:gremien|HAA, ZA and other committees]]
  * [[en:mitbestimmung:protektoren|The role of residence advisers]]
  * [[en:einzug:2_4_wohnzeit|Length of stay and possible grounds for extension]]
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