About-Student initiatives

Collage - theme Fachhochschule Ottersberg

Student Initiatives – the social backbone of the Fachhochschule

“The student initiatives at our Fachhochschule can be likened to mint sauce in food: a somewhat unusual taste but refreshing, constructive and lively” (Silke Weidenhammer, student of Fine Arts)

The students themselves are responsible for the running of such initiatives. They focus on the needs of the students, and are expressly supported by the Fachhochschule. They have dual functions, namely they serve both as a place to study and as a provider of services for the students. They are run on a voluntary basis, and are also a source of part-time jobs for students. Student initiatives are not only to be likened to adding mint sauce to food; they are also the social background of the Fachhochschule Ottersberg.

Bahnhof e. V. The old Ottersberg railway station contains two flats for shared student accommodation, as well as studios and rooms for artistic and cultural purposes (with rail and own motorway connections) - all belonging to the student initiative. http://www.bahnhof-ev.org/	Praktikums- informationszentrum (PIZ) Work placement information centre (Praktikums-Informations-Zentrum, or PIZ for short) This has found and registered some 220 work placements in Germany and abroad for art therapy and art pedagogy students in the final phases of their studies (fine arts and performing arts). The initiative analyses information on the work placement facilities and provides advice for the fellow students. to German language PIZ page	Library Using its own budget, the student team buys art and scientific books recommended in the courses, organises the renting of books and videos, subscriptions to magazines and sees to getting photocopy paper and internet sites. A self-administered reading corner.

	Cafeteria Coffee, tea, cake and bread roles, made baked and buttered by the students at low prices, event service on request, a place for relaxation.	Paint and Paper Initiative The initiative organises the purchase and sale materials for students of fine arts. This is of particular interest to freshmen and those participating in artistic projects during the studies.

Joint Stock Company - Student Financial Assistance Fund „Stock price loss as a result of a successful business policy”. This student initiative is managed as a joint stock company, the share capital being provided by the executive committee selling artistically designed share coupons. The share price is determined by the amount of interest-free loans given to those students short of money. Every year at the Annual General Meeting, the business report for the year is presented, and dividends distributed in the form of works of art and culinary dishes.	Refectory The way to the students’ hearts is through their stomachs. An excellent lady chef oversees students who prepare and serve vegetarian wholemeal dishes. There are neither queues nor plastic dishes; instead everything has to be washed up. A student committee bears co-responsibility for selling the vouchers, making coffee, setting prices, furnishing as well as ensuring that all students pull their weight on a regular basis. > Awarded with the Bio-Star 2003 by the Ministry for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture.	The Students´ Union This body is elected in accordance with the general higher education election procedure. It is an extremely active link between the student body and other organs or organisational units of the Fachhochschule and its supporting body. It is both a focus and a mirror of the students’ commitment, it organises student reunions as well as workshops designed to further develop “its” Fachhochschule, provides support for student initiatives with its own means and integrates its representatives if required. The Students’ Union is represented on the board of shareholders of the Fachhochschule’s supporting body, and participates in the Fachhochschule’s political and public relations events: The typical statement usually used at this point that “it represents the interests of the student body” is certainly correct, but happily an understatement.

Photo laboratory The students organise courses in photography and development. Accommadation Initiative This organisation finds suitable accommodation in Ottersberg and the surroundings, and provides fellow students with advice.	Agency für Social Artistic Practice The project group “Agentur” is responsible for the vocational aspects of the Fachhochschule. It researches and documents the working conditions prevailing in the wide ranges of professional fields, offers application training and self-management for the students, fosters contacts with employers and professional associations, and canvasses for artistic and art therapeutic projects.	AISA - Autonomous International Student Exchange This is responsible for the promotion of foreign students’ integration, assistance by means of the provision of information pertaining to the studies, the everyday, cultural activities.