What is the Student Parliament?

The Student Parliament (also known as SP or StuPa) is the highest decision-making body of the student body, i.e. all students enrolled at RWTH Aachen University. According to its statutes, it expresses the will of the student body and can make decisions on all matters concerning the student body. Its existence is laid down in the State Higher Education Act. The SP election takes place in the summer semester according to the principle of a list election for a term of one year.
The student parliament consists of 41 members. The current office holders are listed on the university policy lists pages. However, all RWTH students have the right to speak at SP meetings, not just the members of the student parliament (MdSP).

The meetings of the student parliament are chaired by the president. He or she is supported by the vice-president and the secretaries. However, the student parliament may decide not to elect secretaries. Together, they form the chair. Outside of meetings, the chair manages the affairs of the student parliament.

The tasks of the student parliament include electing the members of the AStA, determining and monitoring the budget, deciding on fundamental issues affecting the student body, and passing resolutions on statutes and guidelines. This makes the student parliament the legislative body of the student body. In addition, the SP decides which student initiatives will receive funding and in what amount, and takes a stand in debates on higher education and science policy by issuing statements.

The student parliament sets up various committees to support its work. Currently, there is a social committee, a budget committee, a sports committee, a mobility committee, an equality commission and several temporary committees that deal with matters such as finding candidates for certain offices.
The Parliament usually meets once a month and is open to the public. The dates are announced on the homepage and on the student union notice board.
You can find more information on the Students Parliament and the Student Body in the University Politics Handbook of the AStA of the RWTH. Please note that the provided document is still in German.

How can you participate in the Students Parliament?

There are many ways to get involved in the SP. You can join one of the lists or start your own list and run in the university elections. For more information on standing for election, please refer to the Election Regulations. The linked document is also in German.

Even during an ongoing election period, you can be nominated from one of the lists for membership in one of the SP committees. Election to the student parliament is not required to work in the committees.

Even if you are not a member of the student parliament, you can still be elected as president, vice-president or secretary. However, it is helpful to have gained some insight into the work of the student parliament before running for these offices.

The easiest and most spontaneous way to get involved in the student parliament is to attend one of the meetings. You have the right to speak and can contribute with questions and suggestions. Many of today’s members of the student parliament came to a SP meeting just once to observe and found this important institution so interesting and enjoyable that they are still involved today.