Starting 01.04.2024 (summer semester), the digital Germany semester ticket will be introduced: Use public transport nationwide, exclusively digital ticket & NOT available on student ID card
What is the AStA anyway?
The AStA (General Student Committee) is the executive part of the student body and is elected once a year. It represents the interests of the students, i.e. your interests, within the university and also takes care of your concerns in everyday university life.
Who elects the AStA?
Every winter semester you elect the student parliament (StuPa) of the University of Cologne. During the elections, different political university groups compete against each other. The StuPa has a total of 51 seats. After the elections, different groups have coalition talks in order to then form an AStA with a majority. The coalition in parliament then elects the AStA, which consists of a three-member executive board and various refereess, who then work in „their“ departments together with project leaders on specific topics. Additionally, the AStA cooperates with groups such as student representative groups, other university groups, political alliances, etc.
The work in the AStA
The AStA board currently consists of the 1st chair Johanna Weidmann and the 2nd chair Niklas Behrendt-Emden. The financial referee takes care of all financial matters of the student body.
In addition, there is the department of social and international affairs, the department of politics, the department of student bodies, the department of ecology and infrastructure, the department of anti-discrimination and culture, the department of teaching and studies, the public relations department and the department of well being and mental health. You can find the AStA at Universitätsstraße 16.
Dear first-terms and all of you, who would like to be one again!
First of all, welcome to the Cologne University – here in the great city with “The Dome”! Whatever you may be studying, e.g. Medicine, Law or Esthetic Education, you are now a part of the biggest non-distance university in Germany (depending on the statistics, it may as well be Munich, but who cares). Given the fact that we have a student body with nearly 50.000 students in total, you can state that we are an extremely large and therefore diverse university, with a lot to see and even more to experience.
In order to keep track of the vast amount of offers, services, projects and regulations, there are a number of student organizations, which will offer guidance throughout your studies, which will give you advice and speak on your behalf in the university committees, for example to denounce serious deficits in the field of university administration. One branch of student organization are the student bodies of faculties, which are called “Fachschaften”. Nearly every faculty has their own student represantatives. They are your primary contact when it comes to concerns regarding your studies, especially the needs of first-terms.
However, students are also organized across all faculties of the university: the student parliament, which is elected by you, deals with matters of student policy. The student council (allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss, or simply AStA) is elected by the student parliament and has executive capacity. Furthermore, there is a wide landscape of the so called “Hochschulgruppen” (most likely translated as “student parties”), who campaign for specific topics.
In addition to the guidance the student representatives or “Fachschaften” offer, there is also the AStA. It provides various campaigns and services, for example the campaign to support refugees in cologne, the service of a bike repair shop, a legal counsel service and so much more. You will find information on all different projects run by the AStA further down below.
Student Body
You can also find further information on the committees and agencies forming the student body, whose representatives are elected by all students during election week (which normaly takes place) in December. The elections are of great importance for your studies, the elected committees deal with issues, like discussions over admission conditions for new study programs, phasing-out periods on outdated study programs and much more.
As mentioned earlier, there are student organizations within the university, specific for each field of studies, which are involved with student policy on a faculty scale. These are called “Fachschaften”. That means: “Fachschaften” are primary your point of contact when it comes to help required, e.g. an inconvenience with your studies or a possibility to get to know structures and people within your faculty. The Fachschaften can speak on your behalf with lecturers and the faculty management and by doing so, are often able to solve your problems.
Many “Fachschaften” offer extensive services, like counselling and assistance, not only for first-terms, but also for students in an intermediate and advanced stage within their studies. A lot of them also throw parties, organize trips for first-terms, host study related lectures and events or provide old exams and lecture-scripts.
“Fachschaften” basically consist of normal students. Every student can volunteer to work there, you too. Technically every student is a member of his or her specific “Fachschaft”, but naturally everyone is free to play a part in there or not.
For the information how and where to find specific services by your specific “Fachschaft” you can just contact the AStA division for “Fachschaften” at fsr@asta.uni-koeln.de. Students in Dual BA studies are also entitled to join two “Fachschaften”. So are students on teaching post, who can choose to participate in the “Fachschaften” of their specific field of study or in the brand new “Fachschaft Lehramt” (for teachers in training).
MENTOR FOR FIRST-TERMS ∙ GRILLMASTERS ∙ EXPERST ON EXAM-REGULATIONS ∙ BEER-SUPPLYER ∙ CONTACT PERSON ∙ LIFE SAVER FACHSCHAFT
What does “student body” mean?
The student body is the self-governing body of all students at the university. Based on the “Landeshochschulgesetz” (state law on higher education) student bodies are provided with various rights and obligations, which are claimed and fulfilled by different committees.
Currently the “Hochschulzukunftsgesetz” (higher education’s future act) is in force in the state of Northrine-Westfalia .
Faculty Representatives / Student Committees
Student participation into faculty management is organized differently throughout all six faculties. In four faculties (Economic- and Social Sciences, Law, Philosophy and Human Sciences) 15 representatives are elected to decide on the faculty statute, the budget and to elect the faculty committee, which has executive authority.
In the Faculty for Mathematics and Sciences student committees with executive powers are elected directly. That happens in the fields of Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Geosciences (consisting of Geology, Geophysics, Meteorology and Mineralogy), Mathematics and Physics. Next one to join this practice will be the field of didactics. Those student committees have three Members (Chemistry has five members). The Faculty for Medical Sciences has 15 student representatives representing the students of Human Medicine, in the field of Dentistry there is a student committee consisting of seven members and the field of Neurosciences has one with three members.
Representation in other committees
Besides through student committees, student representatives also exercise their democratic rights in various other committees. We have three student senators- the senate is the highest decision-making committee at the university-, who are also elected during election week. Amongst other things, electing the rectorate (in fact the universities headmaster) and legislate or change the universities basic rules are its main duties.
You are also entitled to elect one female and one male representative for the equal opportunity board. This board supervises the enactment of gender equality measures and its proposals on equality policy are referred to at the whole university.
Last but not least we have a council for student employees, which convened for the first time this year. This council will fight for student employee rights at the university and can also act on behalf of individual student employees in negotiations with his or her employer.
StuPa (student parliament)
The StuPa is the student decision-making committee of greatest importance. Each year in December every student, who enlisted at the university as a regular student, has the right to vote for candidates campaigning for a mandate in the student parliament and can campaign him- or herself. These candidates compete in different lists- each list representing a political student party.
Currently 51 student parliament seats are occupied by ten different Parties with different political agendas. These parliamentarians elect the AStA, decide on its budget and influence its political work. Furthermore the StuPa discusses and enacts student motions with regards to content, e.g. statements about management issues like a lack of seminar places are devised, so that student representatives can carry the students positions into their respective committees.
AStA (student council)
The AStA is the surpreme committee of the student body and is elected once in a year by the members of the student parliament. It speaks on behalf of all students- so on behalf of you as well- inside the university and also takes care of your individual problems in the university everyday life. For instance, the AStA negotiates the conditions of the “Semesterticket”- it is the ticket entitling you to the use of various public transportation vehicles during the semester- and offers services like the bike repair shop and the “AStA-Store”.
The AStA consists of members of the student parties with seats in the parliament. Those parties then step into coalition negotiations in order to form an AStA with controlling interest.
The coalition finaly elects the AStA in the student parliament, consisting of the managing board with three students and five heads of division, which afterwards supervise the work done by project managing students assigned to their specific divisions.
The Division for Social and International Affairs makes an effort to help students, who are in a social or financial crisis, or have difficulties in their student everyday life due to troubling private conditions, illness or a physical disability. It also speaks on behalf of international students, who choose to leave their home countries to study here. Various campaigns, like for example the holiday childcare program for student’s children, or the emergency accommodation service during the first weeks of each semester for students, who were unable to find proper housing in cologne yet, are run by the Division for Social and International Affairs. Furthermore the division organizes donation campaigns for refugees and also operates a mentoring program for international students (aka TEAM-Program).
The main task of the Division for Political Affairs, as itself states, is the political representation of the students to the university and to the federal state of Nordrhein-Westfalen (NRW). That includes running campaigns against the general lack of seminar places and also dealing with topics, like compulsory change of study courses – e.g. from outdate ones with final state examination to ones more up-to-date with bachelor degrees. In order to represent the student’s interests more efficiently, the division cooperates with various student organizations all around the country.
The Division for Ecology and Infrastructure at the cologne university is responsible for campaigns promoting ecological sustainability and focusing on infrastructural issues related to student life. Therefore, it organizes various roadshow events, for example one on the current cycling situation in cologne. It also runs various projects and services, like the “Gemüsekiste”- a cheap vegetable flat rate service, which will supply you on a weekly basis with fresh vegetables directly bought from the farmer-, a cargo bike sharing service, second hand parties, “Repair-Cafés” and the “Tag des guten Lebens”, which means day of the fortunate life.
The Division for Fachschaften is entrusted with supporting the work of those Fachschaften. Therefore, it facilitates networking between the Fachschaften and also calls meetings across all faculties. In the past those meetings were held up to three times in a year. The topics discussed in these meetings usually also are of higher importance. The Division also runs a register for Fachschaften- with steadily growing record numbers- and organizes the learning event called “lange Lernnächte” -long learn nights – in the university library.
The Division for Anti-diskrimination and Culture provides to the purpose of making the cologne university a place free from discrimination of all kinds and sustaining its diverse and colorful identity. Under the title “Kultour” the Division organizes in cooperation with the autonomous alien division various cultural- and dance events, where students have the chance to get to know the vast number of different cultures residing at our university. Furthermore, it is working on an online tool for reporting when cases of discrimination at the university occur directly to the AStA, so that we can react directly and take counter action.
All services and campaigns run by the AStA and its division are directly funded from the student council budget, managed by the student financial accountant and approved by the student parliament.
The AStA, the student council, manages parts of the money you pay as semester fee.
Currently the AStA receives 186,12 € from each and every student per semester and spends the biggest part of it for your Semesterticket, which enables you to travel through the whole state using public transportation services. Furthermore the AStA manages budget of the Fachschaften. To do this, the AStA is given executive authority by our student parliament, mostly like the German Bundestag does with its federal government.
The rest of the money is spent on the various campaigns and services previously mentioned, which are run by the AStA, but also on the so called autonomous divisions, which will be mentioned further on a later section. Also other student groups, like non-political student groups are entitled to funding through our student budget for student-related purpose. Of course all these campaigns, projects and services are free for all students at the cologne university.
Besides the regular divisions within the AStA your semester fee is also used to fund so called autonomous divisions. Their main task is to promote socially disadvantaged fringe groups at the university to improve their status on campus.
Another important part of the student body are the autonomous units.
At the University of Cologne there are the following autonomous units:
Autonomous Parents‘ Department
We are the self-governing representation of interests for all those who (will) take on responsibility for a child during their studies. As such, we advocate for more family-friendly study conditions, especially in examination regulations, but also in infrastructure. Through public relations work, we make concrete grievances visible and take a stand on current social developments. In public events at the university, we not only want to discuss family and gender policy issues, but also offer practical tips on studying with children. Finally, we would like to promote networking among students with children, initiate parent cafés and self-organized weekend care (e.g. during exam periods).
Contact:
ak-studieren-mit-kind@uni-koeln.de
studieren-mit-kind.uni-koeln.de
Autonomous Women’s and Lesbian Department
The Autonomous Women’s and Lesbian Affairs Office of the University of Cologne is part of the student body. It consists of interested, critically thinking women who are interested in and want to work together on feminist, socio-critical issues, do political work and organize events on (queer) feminist issues and is independent of the AStA in its content.
Contact:
http://frauenlesbenreferat.de/
Autonomous Queer Department of the University of Cologne (AQUK)
The AQUK sees itself as a representation of queer students‘ interests and as a platform for exchange and socializing. Together with you we want to fight for a diverse and open-minded society. It is important to us to offer people a free space in which they can try out and develop.
Contact:
Studying without Barriers (SoS Unit)
Studieren ohne Schranken (Studying without barriers) is an autonomous unit that supports the interests of students with chronic-somatic, sensory, mental or health impairments, pre-existing conditions, partial performance disorders and disabilities and healthy studies. We stand up for a barrier-free and inclusive university and offer advice and assistance for individual needs and problems. We are available for a wide range of topics, from LVR applications to compensation for disadvantages. We can be reached at studieren-ohne-schranken@uni.koeln.de or on our Facebook page Studieren ohne Schranken an der Uni Köln via Messenger.
Contact:
studieren-ohne-schranken@uni-koeln.de
Autonomous Department for Foreigners
The Autonomous Foreign Students‘ Office represents the interests of all foreign students and students with a migration background at the University of Cologne. We take care of the concerns and interests of more than 8,000 foreign students at our university and try to contribute to the integration and equality of our students and to stand up against discrimination in any form.
Contact:
auslaenderreferat@uni-koeln.de
uni-koeln.de/studenten/auslaenderreferat
Antifa AK
It bothers you when your professor makes racist remarks? You feel bad when your fellow student spreads anti-Semitic theses? Nazi propaganda appears at the university? Then contact us! Since 2006, the Antifa-AK has been the contact for students who observe right-wing activities at the university or, in the worst case, are threatened or insulted themselves. Just write us an email or come by, we will help you! We also organize various lectures and workshops every semester that you can attend. Feel free to come by and learn about our work!
Contact:
Autonomous Unit for Black, Indigenous & People of Color (BIPoC)
The autonomous BIPoC unit advocates for marginalized and racialized groups at the University of Cologne. The unit aims to give them the opportunity to reflect on experiences of racism in and outside the university context, to empower each other and to network. The unit strives to create a space for respectful dialogue and a place of encounter, regardless of race, class, and gender. The unit welcomes white allies who pursue the agenda of a university critical of racism, critical whiteness, and mutual networking for successful educational exchange. The work of the BIPoC unit takes place with the awareness that because of the colonial past, even the spaces of the BIPoC unit cannot claim to be free of racism.
Contact:
Autonomous Unit for anticlassism empowerment (fakE)
We as an autonomous unit for anti-classist empowerment (fakE) are a contact point by and for students who are affected by classism. In a protected space, experiences are to be exchanged and mutual support is to be provided. In addition, we carry out educational work on classism, network with other associations and would like to raise awareness for the topic. In the long term, we are working to dismantle classist structures at the University of Cologne and in society so that social origin does not play a role anywhere.
Kontakt:
There exist political- as well as non-political student parties at our university.
The political parties can be elected each December for various committees and differ in their political orientation. The whole political- and self-governing functions of the student body are possible only because of and have been achieved by the voluntary work those student politicians do.
By name those parties are: “campus:grün” (Green Campus), “Juso Hochschulgruppe” (Student Party of the Young Socialists), “Liberale Hochschulgruppe” (Liberal Student Party), “Linke.SDS” (Left Wing Socialistic Democratic Student Alliance), “Die Unabhängigen” (Independent) and “Wendepunkt” (Turning Point), “Campus Union” (Campus Union), “HSG SoWi” (Student Party of the Social Sciences).
You can find information on the different parties and about how to get involved into student politics on their respective websites and also on the universities website, when you look for “Studentische Selbstverwaltung” (student self-government).
Furthermore there is a vast number of non-political student parties, which commit themselves to various topics and groups at the cologne university. You can also find information on these parties via the university website.
Which places at the University of Cologne are not barrier-free? We collect the deficiencies, such as missing marking of:
– elevators
– parking spaces
– restrooms
– ramps
– electric doors, etc.
We are mainly interested in small changes that we can take care of directly and without major construction work. Nevertheless, we also welcome reports regarding completely missing elevators, etc.
We apologize that this accessibility report is not barrier-free either. We are currently looking for alternatives.
All data will be treated confidentially. Your name will not be disclosed. All complaints will be forwarded anonymously!
Click here to get to the report form.
Bike-Repair-Shop
At the autonomous AStA bike-repair-shop “Mitschraubgelegenheit” students can learn to repair their own bike, while being supervised. During office hours, not only can you get help from trained personnel but also purchase spare parts nearly on base price. The repair shop serves drop-in center for small problems with your bike, e.g. wheel changes, light- and brake mechanisms, crossings, bells and pumping. Depending on the complexity of the problem, the people of the shop might also be able to help with challenging cases or at least give advice to more convenient alternatives.
Opening Hours:
The ASta-Servicepoint is your first point of contact, whether in person, by phone or via Email. Contact the Servicepoint for any questions about the University, the AStA or other student related topics. Our staff can usually help you directly or connect you with the right contact person.
Opening hours & contact:
Monday: 13:00 – 17:00
Tuesday: 8:30 – 12:30 and 13:00 – 17:00
Wednesday: 13:00 – 17:00
Thursday: 8:30 – 12:30 and 13:00 – 17:00 (closed on 14.11.24)
Friday: closed
You will find the Servicepoint in the Philosophikum on the first floor (right between the „Autonomes Elternreferat“ and the Phil Café).
Phone: 0221/470-2993 (during the opening hours mentioned)
E-mail: servicepoint@asta.uni-koeln.de
The time has come – We´re getting back to attendence based consulting!
Many students have problems with their BAföG applications. Since the rules and regulations are simply too complicated to understand immediately, the AStA offers BAföG and social counseling, so that students aren´t left out in the cold.
The BAföG and social counseling also advises students who are in a difficult financial or social situation independent of BAföG. You don´t need to register, just come over during office hours.
Office hours:
Tuesday: 14:00 – 17:00 (Mensa Zülpicher Straße between ground floor north and ground floor south)
Wednesday: 11:30 – 16:00 (Mensa Zülpicher Straße between ground floor north and ground floor south)
Thursday: 11:30 – 16:00 (Mensa Zülpicher Straße between ground floor north and ground floor south)
Friday: 08:00 – 13:00 (Digital and in presence in the Mensa Zülpicher Straße between EG Nord and EG Süd)
Consultation via mail: beratung@asta.uni-koeln.de
Attention: Especially during the semester break, there may be further deviations.
We will always try to inform you in time.
Where does the BAföG and social counseling take place?
Counseling office in the university Mensa next to the university sports center
(Zülpicherstraße 70, first floor between Mensa first floor north and ground floor south)
You need a notebook? Then get in touch with ausleihe@asta.uni-koeln.de
We also lend webcams and other accessories for the notebooks.
Disclaimer: Even though we provide a significant number of notebooks, it could happen that we could be out of stock, due to very high demand. But that´s usually not the case, so never hesitate to contact us. However, we have a waiting list, so we will surely find a solution.
Have you discovered that you can’t hammer nails into the wall with the edge of your hand, that a bread knife isn’t enough to cut a countertop, or that a set square isn’t really a good substitute for a spirit level? Borrowing or buying tools from a specialist shop is expensive and doesn’t always make sense. After all, you certainly won’t need that heavy hammer drill every day in your new apartment.
Fortunately, we lend tools for manual work, free of charge.
The following tools and accessories are available for all students of the University of Cologne:
– Cordless screwdriver
-Impact drill
-Jigsaw circular saw
-Toolbox with all the hand tools you need
-Laser spirit level
-Cable drum
-Spirit level
-Hot glue guns
-Hole saws and drills
Contact us: servicepoint@asta.uni-koeln.de.
Especially at the beginning of each semester the situation on the housing market is really stressed.
We are offering an emergency accommodation in the first weeks for students, who haven’t found anything so far.
As the name says this is an emergency solution and not dedicated for a long term stay.
For further information please contact notschlafstelle@asta.uni-koeln.de.
Do you want to learn more about feminism and gain more insights into different feminist topics?
Then feel free to drop by the newly founded feminist book club.
Starting in the winter semester 22/23, the feminist book club will take place every third Wednesday at 6:00 pm in S23 in the seminar building at the University of Cologne.
There we will look at excerpts from readings such as „Invisible Women“ by Caroline Criado-Perez or „Feminism for All“ by bell hooks, discuss them together and talk about the content.
In this way, we want to create space for more feminism at the University of Cologne.
All people are welcome who like to deal with feminist topics and enjoy exchanging and discussing them.
If you have any ideas, suggestions or questions, please contact c.schuessler@asta.uni-koeln.de
We are looking forward to your participation.
The next meeting is on 01.02.2023 at 18:00.
We are happy to introduce you to our project Food_Fair – a food saving and sharing project by students for students!
Every Wednesday and Friday between 14:00 and 16:00 you can pick up a food_bag full of saved goodies from us for free – after prior registration.
In addition, once a month we organize a Food_Market, where you can save food for free.
To find out how, go to Sign Up for Food_Fair Now!
More and more food is no longer sold and ends up in the trash. The amount of food thrown away in Germany corresponds to about one third of the food consumed there annually. However, most of the food that ends up in the trash is not bad or inedible – in many cases it is just slight damage to the packaging, overproduction that can no longer be sold or new product lines that replace others.
We want to make a statement with Food_Fair against waste and for sustainable and solidary sharing. Solidarity and sustainability are topics that currently occupy our world strongly. For the implementation of these principles, action is needed on all levels – also at the university. With the aim to act directly and pragmatically, we save food from the garbage can together, sensitize ourselves for these problems, which are driving our society in everyday life, and enable everyone* to contribute a part.
Our Food_Bags are especially for students who are currently in an emergency situation such as a financial bottleneck. Everyone can participate in Food_Markt – the only condition is that you are a registered student at the University of Cologne.
Register now for Food_Fair!
If you want to get a Food_Beutel:
Fill out the registration form.
Wait for a reply from us via email with a number and a pick-up date for your saved bag! If you can’t make this appointment, let us know in time. You will then receive a new date suggestion.
Come to your appointment at the AStA (Universitätsstraße 16, 50935 Köln) at the service point on the 1st floor and pick up your rescued bag. You are also welcome to bring your own bag. We will then repack the rescued food for you on site. For your additional sustainable commitment you will also receive a small thank you from us!
Here you can find the registration form for a Food_Bag: https://forms.gle/fyz4zrK69dpBHvqF9
If you want to come to the Food_Market:
Fill out the registration form.
Wait for a reply from us via e-mail with the dates for the Food_Market. If you have indicated in the registration form that you would like to participate only once, you will receive a one-time e-mail from us with dates. If you have decided to participate regularly, we will add you to our mailing list and inform you about our Food_Market dates every month.
Come to one of the indicated dates to the AStA (Universitätsstraße 16, 50935 Köln) and save food at our Food_Market stand.
Here you can find the registration form for the Food_Market: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSegEdS0Xs95ippVFgGvEaMNUE2nnnrVtKkxnjJYUUezZqCXFQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
Important information about our food:
We only distribute rescued or donated food. This means that the food either has small blemishes, is an expiring product or packaging line, or the best before date has expired or is so far advanced that it is no longer sold in retail stores. However, since these products are usually still perfectly fine and edible, we collect these products for you and pass them on to you. So if your product doesn’t look so nice, has an expired best-before date, or doesn’t have the latest packaging design, don’t worry – that’s intentional and fine. However, if you notice that a product is no longer edible (it smells or tastes funny, mold has formed, etc.), please do not consume it! Since we cannot guarantee 100% freshness of the products, please check the food carefully before consuming it – better safe than sorry!
If you have any questions about the project and your food_bag, please send us an email to food-fair@asta.uni-koeln.de.
You can also find the latest information about the project on social media:
Instagram: @astauzk
Facebook: AStA Uni Cologne
FAQ
How much does my Food_Bag cost?
Your Food_Bag is free of charge.
Is all food rescued?
Yes, all the food we distribute through Food_Fair is by definition rescued food.
Is the same food always distributed?
No, both the contents of your Food_Bag and what is available at the Food_Market varies. Since we can’t predict which foods will need to be rescued at any given time and what we will be supplied with by the vendors, we unfortunately can’t tell you in advance what you will find in your Food_Bag or at the Food_Market. What you can count on, however, is that we do not distribute food that needs to be kept refrigerated (dairy products, meat, fish, frozen food). While only packaged and shelf-stable foods are in our Food_Bags, we often have a supply of fruits and/or vegetables in our Food_Market as well.
Are the products suitable for certain diets?
All the products you find in your Food_Bag are vegan and usually organic. Unfortunately, we can not take into account food intolerances such as gluten or histamine intolerance, because the product range does not allow it. The products on the Food_Market are usually all at least vegetarian.
How often can I come to pick up a Food_Bag and how many Food_Bags can I get at once?
It is possible to pick up a Food_Beutel every week, but only one bag will be issued per registration. You have the possibility to pick up a Food_Bag either on Wednesdays or Fridays.
How often can I participate in the Food_Market?
You can participate in the Food_Market as often as you want. The only important thing is that you are enrolled as a student at the University of Cologne. You can choose in the registration form if you want to participate once or regularly.
A product was no longer edible. What do I do?
If you haven’t eaten the product yet, please dispose of it. The purpose of Food Saving is not to get food poisoning! Here, it is perfectly fine to dispose of the product. If you have already consumed some of the product and feel bad, contact a doctor immediately, e.g. your family doctor. He can treat you in this case. Also, feel free to report back to us if a product in your food_bag was no longer good. Then we can also warn students who have received the same product.
I would like to get involved with Food_Fair. What can I do?
If you would like to get involved with us, please contact the project leaders by email. We will then look together how you can best get involved.
___________________________________________________________________________
Project management
Anna Schäfer (a.schaefer@asta.uni-koeln.de)
Pia Bauerdick (p.bauerdick@asta.uni-koeln.de)
AStA University of Cologne – Department for Social Affairs and International Affairs (sozialreferat@asta.uni-koeln.de)
We also offer counseling specifically for foreign students.
This takes place in the university refectory (lecture period) or in the seminar building (lecture-free period). No registration is required for this consultation!
Opening hours & contact:
Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
E-mail: auslaenderinnenberatung@asta.uni-koeln.de
Writing Student History At the beginning of the 2020-21 winter semester, the AStA will launch the pilot project „Student History Writing“ at the University of Cologne. Behind this name is the desire of the student body to enable members to engage more closely with their own past in an academic setting. The topic can be chosen freely, as long as a clear reference to the Cologne student body is recognizable. The finished work should then be made freely available to all students and, if necessary, can also be financially rewarded (see funding criteria). Example topics could be
Possibilities of funding The AStA has the possibility to purchase needed literature for the subject-specific topics. This literature can be lent to the students for the duration of their work, but remains the property of the student body and must be returned to the student body after an agreed upon lending period. Agreements on the purchase of literature can be made with the responsible AStA department (see below). Furthermore, finished works can be „sold“ to the student body. This means that the rights to their content and publication are transferred to the AStA. In consultation with possible supervisors, however, there is nothing on the part of the AStA against a simultaneous submission as a term paper, etc. in one’s own course of study. For long and extensive works, the AStA can arrange for the establishment of a project management position. These are remunerated similar to a working student job with monthly payments. Close consultation with the AStA supervisors at the beginning of the work is necessary in any case. Regarding the distribution of funds, please note that this project is difficult to calculate due to its novelty and the so far little known response. Accordingly, the AStA reserves the right to decide on the payment and allocation of project management positions itself, so as not to have to take funds from other important projects. However, in order to consolidate the formation of expectations, inquiries can be made to the responsible persons. Finally, the name „AStA of the University of Cologne“ as a well-known institution can of course also serve as a „door opener“ for possible research. Criteria for funding
Individual case decisions in case of deviations can be made by the AStA. Registration To register, simply send an informal e-mail to the address listed under Contact with the subject [Write Student History]. The message should state the name, course of study, title of the paper with a brief explanation of its content and how it relates to the student body (if not obvious). If the paper is already completed, it is also welcome to be sent as an attachment. We will try to answer all requests as soon as possible. Deadlines The project has no fixed deadlines. However, for more extensive work, we advise you to contact the AStA as early as possible. Responsible persons and contacts AStA of the University of Cologne Department for Antidiscrimination and Culture Universitätsstr. 16 50937 Cologne adiku@asta.uni-koeln.de
Telephone office hours by appointment We are looking forward to all registrations, comments, questions and further dissemination of the project. Your ADiKu department
The Hardship Committee of the Student Body of the University of Cologne is responsible for deciding on applications for refund of the semester ticket fee in accordance with the Hardship Regulations of the Student Body of the University of Cologne.
The Hardship Committee is located in the building Universitätsstrasse 16 on the second floor. This is also where you will find the semester ticket office. It is responsible for questions concerning the semester ticket.
50937 Cologne
Telephone: (02 21) 421 421
Fax: (02 21) 470 – 50 71
E-mail address: asta-haertefallausschuss@uni-koeln.de
Opening hours:
Monday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Tuesday 9-13 o’clock
Wednesday 9-13 o’clock
Thursday 9-12 a.m.
Friday closed
Download: Application form for the Hardship Commitee (german version)
Download (English Version): Application for refund of the contribution for the semester ticket and the NRW-Ticket (English Version)
Download (German Version): Hardship of Regulations Uni Cologne
What am I allowed to do and what am I not allowed to do? Hardly anyone has an exact overview of their rights. And getting justice in problem cases is often very expensive. Even an initial consultation costs money. For this reason, the AStA offers all students a free initial consultation to get an overview of the situation and to gather information on how to proceed.
Due to the coronavirus, legal counseling currently only takes place by phone.
To make an appointment, please send an email with your matriculation number, phone number and a short keyword about the subject of your consultation to servicepoint@asta.uni-koeln.de.
Location
UniMensa
Zülpicher Wall 70
50674 Cologne
Ground floor – between the food counters EG Nord and EG Süd
Registration
phone: 0221/470-2993
Email: servicepoint@asta.uni-koeln.de
The consulting hours are during the lecture period
General legal advice:
Tuesday, 09.00 – 12.00 and 15.00 – 17.00.
Tenancy Law Consultation:
Thursday, 09.00 – 12.00 hrs.
Consultation hours are during the lecture-free period:
General legal advice:
Tuesday, 09.00 – 15.00 hrs.
Tenancy Law Consultation:
Thursday, 09.00 – 12.00 hrs.
We reserve the right to change the consulting hours at short notice.
Please note: The counseling service is generally only available to students of the University of Cologne, as it is financed by the semester fee. Students from other universities in Cologne are only accepted within the framework of the agreed cooperation between the respective ASten.
For reasons of fairness towards your fellow students, we urgently ask you to keep the appointments.
What am I allowed to do and what am I not allowed to do? Hardly anyone has an exact overview of their rights. And getting justice in problem cases is often very expensive. Even an initial consultation costs money. For this reason, the AStA offers all students a free initial consultation to get an overview of the situation and to gather information on how to proceed.
The legal consultation currently only takes place by phone.
To make an appointment, please send an email with your matriculation number, phone number and a short keyword about the subject of your consultation to servicepoint@asta.uni-koeln.de.
Registration
phone: 0221/470-2993
Email: servicepoint@asta.uni-koeln.de
The consultation hours are during the lecture period
General legal advice:
Tuesday, 09.00 – 12.00 and 15.00 – 17.00.
Tenancy Law Consultation:
Thursday, 09.00 – 12.00 hrs.
Consultation hours are during the lecture-free period:
General legal advice:
Tuesday, 09.00 – 15.00 hrs.
Tenancy Law Consultation:
Thursday, 09.00 – 12.00 hrs.
We reserve the right to change the consultation hours at short notice.
Please note: The consultation is generally only available to students of the University of Cologne, as it is financed by the semester fee. Students from other universities in Cologne are only accepted within the framework of the agreed cooperation between the respective ASten.
For reasons of fairness towards your fellow students, we urgently ask you to keep the appointments.
The Long Learning Nights are a project of the Student Council of the AStA, which offers students in the university library extended opening hours until 2 a.m. and a supporting program to support learning, as well as catering during this time.
This semester, from 23.01-26.01.23, students will once again study together until late into the night in a convivial atmosphere shortly before the exam period, while waffles, sandwiches and drinks will be offered in the USB coffee bar.
You are cordially invited to come by!
UPDATE (08.10.2022)
Following on from the nationwide 9-euro ticket offer, the transport companies are extending the semester ticket take-away scheme.
All those who have a NRW-SemesterTicket can travel from 01.09 to 31.12.2022:
– on all weekends (Saturdays from 3 a.m. until Monday 3 a.m.)
– on All Saints‘ Day (01.11.2022)
– on all days of the NRW-Herbstfereien (04.10. to 15.10.2022)
– and at the start of the NRW Christmas vacations (23.12. – 31.12.2022)
throughout NRW
– one additional person and three children up to 14 years or
– one additional person and two bicycles.
Das Semesterticket kurz erklärt
Since WS 2008/09, all students of the University of Cologne can use all buses, underground, suburban and regional trains free of charge throughout North Rhine-Westphalia (excluding IC, EC and ICE).
With your enrollment you will receive your UCCard, which is valid as a ticket for the Cologne public transportation system KVB, the Rhein-Sieg public transportation system (VRS) and as a NRW-Ticket. Further information can be found at www.uccard.de.
Beyond the VRS area there is no passenger and bicycle transport! (Currently suspended until the end of 2022 on weekends, holidays and school vacations – info above).
So if you have to travel with a friend, for reasons not of your own making, e.g. to Düsseldorf, as a holder of the NRW ticket you have free travel to Düsseldorf. You can only take your friend as far as Langenfeld. From there, the accompanying person must buy a ticket to Düsseldorf.
All information about the Semesterticket can be found in our Semesterticket-Reader. It is currently being updated and will go online again afterwards.
First semester students can unfortunately only use the semester ticket from the start of the semester (01.10.).
If you have problems with public transport, you can contact the Schlichtungsstelle Nahverkehr. The Schlichtungsstelle Nahverkehr is an independent institution of the association Schlichtungsstelle Nahverkehr e.V.. Members of the association are the consumer center NRW, the association of German transport companies and the transport companies in North Rhine-Westphalia. They act free of charge for passengers and are often called in when an objection to a fare refusal (fare evasion) is rejected by the issuing transport company, in cases of delays, cancellations and other questions concerning local public transport in NRW.
You can find more information on the following page:
http://www.schlichtungsstelle-nahverkehr.de/doc12270A
Area of validity of the semester ticket
Note: Since 1.1.2019, the Semesterticket is also valid in the entire district of Ahrweiler. On the (left Rhine) route to Koblenz (RE5, MRB26), the ticket is now valid until Bad Breisig. The map will be updated shortly.
FAQ
When and where can I take a bicycle with me?
Within the VRS area, you may take a bicycle with your semester ticket Monday through Friday after 7 p.m. until closing time (3 a.m.) and all day on weekends and holidays. However, exceptions can be made by the staff at any time, for example in case of overcrowding and the like. In addition, strollers and wheelchairs have priority in all cases.
Outside the VRS area and on weekdays before 7 p.m., you will have to get an extra ticket.
When am I allowed to take which persons free of charge?
Children under 6 years of age are generally transported free of charge. In addition, on weekdays from 7 p.m. until 3 a.m. the following day, as well as all day on weekends and public holidays, you can take one person over 14 years of age and up to 3 persons from 6 to 14 years of age free of charge. This regulation is also only valid within the VRS area.
What should I do if I lose my student ID card?
The colleagues at the Infopoint of the Mensa and some other places, report found cards to the UCCard-Support. As soon as a report is received, you will automatically be notified by e-mail that your UCCard has been found and where you can pick it up. Regardless of this, if your card is lost or stolen, please contact the smart card office: in this case, the card must be blocked so that no misuse can occur with it.
What do I do if I am checked and have forgotten my student ID?
If you have forgotten your student ID and are caught on the bus or train without a ticket, tell the ticket inspectors that you have forgotten your ticket. On the slip, which the controllers then issue, it says 60€ and this looks exactly like the normal notice BUT what counts is what was entered into the device. Once this has been entered into the system, you must enter your data within a week into a portal that KVB and the university administration have developed. You can find the portal at: https://uccard.uni-koeln.de/semesterticket/ebe_onlineportal/index_ger.html
If you have any further questions, please contact us at nrw-ticket@asta.uni-koeln.de or come to the office of the Hardship Committee.
Hardship Committee
The hardship committee of the student body of the University of Cologne is responsible for deciding on applications for reimbursement of the semester ticket fee according to the hardship regulations of the student body of the University of Cologne. The Hardship Committee is located in the building Universitätsstraße 16 on the second floor. This is also where the semester ticket office is located. It is responsible for questions regarding the semester ticket.
Telefon: 0221/421421
Telefax: 0221/470-5071
E-Mail: asta-haertefallausschuss@uni-koeln.de
Opening times
Monday – Wednesday: 09.00 am – 1.00 pm
Thursday : 09.00 – 12.00 am
Freitag geschlossen
Download: Antragsformular für den Härtefallausschuss (currently only in german)
Download: Härtefallordnung Uni Köln (currently only in german)
University sports have a long tradition in Cologne and offer one of the most extensive sports programs nationwide.
Thanks to the cooperation with 11 branches of the Cologne universities, the offer is free of charge for students of the participating universities in Cologne (with a few small exceptions) and is financed from the semester contribution.
The sports program offers a huge range of activities, from mass sports to health sports, which are taken up by about 15,000 students per week.
The current program of sports courses can be found in the university report, which is available in the refectory and in all universities. You can also view the course offerings at www.hochschulsport-koeln.de.
University sports enrich your quality of life.
Contact:
info@hochschulsport-koeln.de
Telephone: 0221/941-7760
fax: 0221 941-7762
As of 5th June 2023
Students of the University of Cologne can purchase an upgrade for 15,28 € on the KVB app or in the online store of the DB NRW. The upgrade is valid only on a monthly basis, so it needs to be purchased each month. The upgrade expands the semester ticket to nationwide public transportation in Germany. However, please note that you must always carry both your semester ticket and your upgrade ticket with you and be able to present them both if requested during a ticket inspection. Like the semester ticket, the upgrade ticket is also non-transferable. For more information, please visit the website of the KVB (english version not available yet).
IMPORTANT: When purchasing the upgrade, it is important to know that it is not valid for a period of 30 days from the date of purchase but only until the last day of the month. This means that if you purchase the upgrade ticket on 30th May, it will only be valid until 31st May, and you will need to purchase the upgrade again on 1st June.
Furthermore, we support the demand of the Landes-AStA-Treffen NRWs (LAT NRW), the assembly of all student unions in North Rhine-Westphalia, regarding the introduction of a nationwide, solidarity-funded 129 € semester ticket. Students are still greatly affected by the inflation crisis, which is why as the AStA of the University of Cologne, we demand financial relief for participating in public transportation. A petition calling for the swift implementation of this model has already been launched.
We are in constant touch with the KVB and strive to achieve an offer that meets the needs of our students!
Since the winter semester of 2008/09, all students of the University of Cologne have been able to use buses, trams (U-Bahn and S-Bahn) and trains (RE, RB) throughout North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) (excluding IC, EC, and ICE trains) for free. Upon enrollment, you will receive your UCCard, which serves as a ticket on one hand for public transportation on the buses and trams of the local transportation company Kölner Verkehrsbetriebe (KVB), within the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg transport network which constitutes the area of Greater Cologne (see the map below) and on the other hand and as an NRW ticket with validity to travel on RE and RB throughout the whole federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. For more information, please visit the website of the UCCard.
Accompanying persons or bicycle transport outside the VRS area are not included! So, if you travel with a friend beyond the VRS area but still within NRW (e.g. Düsseldorf), as the holder of the NRW ticket, you are eligible for free travel. However, you can only take your friend to the border of the VRS area (in the case of Düsseldorf, until Leverkusen). Beyond the border of the VRS area, the accompanying person must purchase a separate ticket for the journey until the person reaches the final destination.
NOTE: FOR FIRST SEMESTER STUDENTS: Unfortunately, you can only use the semester ticket starting from the semester start date (for summer semester 1st april and winter semester 1st October).
If you experience any issues with public transportation, you can contact the Nahverkehr Schlichtungsstelle for arbitration. The Nahverkehr Schlichtungsstelle is an independent institution of the Verein Schlichtungsstelle Nahverkehr e.V. Its members include the Verbraucherzentrale NRW (Consumer Center NRW), the Verband deutscher Verkehrsunternehmen (Association of German Transport Companies), and the transport companies in North Rhine-Westphalia. They provide their services free of charge to passengers and are often involved when an objection to a fare surcharge (fare evasion) is rejected by the issuing transport company, or for delays, cancellations, and other questions regarding public transportation in NRW.
You can find more information on the website of the Schlichtungsstelle (english version not available yet).
However, please note the following extensions of the coverage area to certain regions outside of NRW
Within the VRS area, you are allowed to take a bicycle with your semester ticket from Monday to Friday from 7pm until the end of service (3 am), and on weekends and holidays throughout the day. However, exceptions can be made by the staff at any time, for example, in case of overcrowding or similar situations. Additionally, strollers and wheelchairs always have priority. These regulations also apply to e-bikes, pedelecs, and non-foldable or unfolded electric scooters (NOT e-scooters).
Outside the VRS area and on weekdays before 7 pm you need to obtain an additional ticket.
Children under 6 years are generally transported free of charge. In addition, on weekdays from 7 p.m. until 3 a.m. the following day, as well as on weekends and holidays, you can take one person over 14 years of age and up to 3 people between 6 and 14 years of age free of charge. This rule applies only within the VRS area.
Our colleagues at the Infopoint of the Mensa Zülpicher Straße and some other service points report found cards to the UCCard support. Once a report is received, you will be automatically notified by email that your UCCard has been found and where you can pick it up. Regardless, please contact the Chip Card Office in case of loss or theft: The card must be blocked in this case to prevent any misuse.
If you forgot your student ID and get caught without a ticket on a bus or train, inform the inspectors that you forgot your ticket. The receipt issued by the inspectors states a fine of €60 and looks exactly like the regular notice, BUT what matters is what is entered into the device. If the non-carriage has been written down into the system, you must enter your data within one week on a portal developed by KVB and the university administration. You can find the portal here:
For further questions, feel free to contact us at nrw-ticket@asta.uni-koeln.de or visit the office of the hardship committee.
The Härtefallausschuss of the student parliament of the University of Cologne is responsible for deciding on refund applications for the semester ticket fee according to the hardship regulations of the student parliament of the University of Cologne. The hardship committee is located in the building at Universitätsstraße 16 on the first floor.
Phone no.: 0221/421421
Fax: 0221/470-5071
Email: asta-haertefallausschuss@uni-koeln.de
Opening hours
Monday – Wednesday: 09:00 am – 01:00 pm
Thursday: 09:00 am – 12:00 pm
Friday: Closed
Download: Application form for the hardship committee (english version not available yet)
Download: Hardship regulations of the student union of the University of Cologne (english version not available yet)
Download: VRS common tariff (english version not available yet)
Download: NRW tariff (english version not available yet)
Achtung: Bitte versende keine vertraulichen Daten über das Kontaktformular an Allgemeines/Kontakt.
Anträge zur Erstattung es Semesterbeitrags müssen an den Härtefallausschuss gerichtet werden.
