Students getting involved
The University thrives on the ideas and dedication of its members. Students have several opportunities to get involved in
- university policymaking,
- teaching,
- providing advice and support to fellow students,
- music, sports and culture,
and play an active role in shaping university life.
FAU Dialog – Join in the discussion!
The FAU Dialog offers students and staff a joint platform to shape the future strategy of FAU. All members of FAU have the possibility to discuss current developments, the University’s strategic approach and future goals with the Executive Board. The FAU Dialog covers a wide variety of topics: from site development and excellence strategy planning to the Hightech Agenda Bavaria and strategic partnerships.
Further information is available on our intranet after logging in with your IdM account.
Music, sports and culture
Students of all subjects at FAU can join one of the several musical ensembles at the University or get involved in University Sports.
Students of all subjects are also most welcome in the cultural activities on offer such as funklust, which is responsible for producing the various FAU campus media, or in Arena, the international festival for dance, theater and performance.
Student initiatives and student groups
The diversity of student involvement at FAU is evident on the student initiative section of the Students’ Representatives’ website: From Amnesty International and political groups to student groups affiliated to the church, there is something for everyone.
List of student initiativesCommunities
“FAU Mosaic – Community of PoC” was founded at FAU in April 2024. The network is aimed at students and staff who experience discrimination based on their ascribed ethnic origin and their allies who would like to demonstrate their solidarity and an openly anti-racist stance. The community meets every two weeks in digital safer spaces via Zoom. In addition, the community regularly arranges events such as workshops raising awareness for discrimination, or relaxed meetings such as outings to a restaurant or a bar: by the community for the community. Further information
“Voluntary work is a formative element in your personal development. Diversity and commitment to social projects at our University is only possible if you make your voice heard. We always welcome students who take an active role in shaping our University and the FAU of the future!”(Vice President Education Prof. Dr. Andrea Bréard)
Involvement in university policymaking at FAU
During the annual University elections, the members of the university-wide Student Council and the Faculty Councils are elected. In addition, there are many other committees that shape life at the University:
- The student committees at the University are the Student Council and the General Student Committee. The members elect representatives from their midst for the University committees, commissions and panels, such as the University Council, the Senate, the Commission for Teaching and Studying, the Central Committee for the Allocation of Tuition Fee Compensation and the Representatives’ Meeting of Student Services. The current members and all committees, commissions, and panels are listed on the Committees and senior officers page
- At faculty and departmental level, students can be elected members of the Student Committee. As members of Faculty Councils, committees and commissions, for example for teaching and studying, for tuition fee compensation, the appointment committee or the room allocation commission, students can play an active role in shaping University life at their faculty. A list of current members of committees and commissions is available on the relevant faculty and department websites.
- In addition, you can get involved without being elected and without any obligations. At the degree program level, students can get involved in student associations or in the nine working groups and additional committees of the Students’ Representatives (StuVe) across the entire University.
Passing on knowledge in tutorials by students
Tutors are students who teach and help fellow students who are usually in lower semesters to study for exams, repeat, practice or discuss content from lectures, clarify questions, or provide help with practical work. Many chairs advertise positions for student tutors in UnivIS. It’s sometimes also worth approaching lecturers directly to ask if they are looking for student tutors.
Tutors need to have teaching skills as well as subject knowledge. How do I plan and design a teaching unit effectively, give presentations confidently or competently deal with groups of students?
We can help you with all these questions. The Center for Continuing Education in University-Level Teaching (Fortbildungszentrum Hochschullehre, FBZHL) offers a program of workshops and certificates in university teaching for student tutors.
Providing advice and support to students in mentoring programs
Mentoring is provided in many different contexts: in business, at universities or to promote equality. At FAU, there are a number of programs that give students the opportunity to provide support to fellow students as mentors.
There are mentoring programs for special target groups, such as first-year students (information about these programs is available from the student associations of the relevant degree program). FAU also offers programs geared specifically towards international students. For example, The Buddy Program or International Student Network.
FAU also has programs for specific topics such as supporting women in research.
The mentoring programs at FAU are usually coordinated by those involved in the programs. Students who would like to get involved as mentors attend seminars and receive information on successful mentoring beforehand. A list of contacts is available on the relevant websites.