REPORT OF THE CHAIRMANSHIP TEAM FOR THE 1ST ORDINARY MEETING OF THE ÖH
FEDERAL REPRESENTATION IN THE SUMMER SEMESTER 2023 ON 17.03.2023
ÖH CHOICE PREPARATIONS
The ÖH election has kept the chair team very busy since the last BV meeting. The
Tender for the media agency was repeated and with good cooperation with the
list spokespersons. Together with them, the decision was made in January to work with Fuchsfabrik. The cooperation has been very successful so far.
productive. The additional offer to the creative work, which Fuchsfabrik has sent initiativly, was
also adopted. Meanwhile, there is a hashtag and a slogan for the ÖH election.
Goodies will be ordered for the election, some of which will also be available to university representatives for the
are available. These could place their order within a time limit, the goodies were
appointed after the expiry of this period.
The chair team has used all meetings with stakeholders since the beginning of the year to draw attention to the ÖH
The aim is to raise awareness of the election and to get stakeholders on board for mobilization.
Particularly noteworthy dates in this regard are the higher education conference on 07.12.2022, the talks
with the BMBWF on 07. and 21.02., the uniko annual reception on 17.01., the Ball of Sciences
on 28.01., the discussion with the members of the National Council Taschner and Marchetti (ÖVP) on
Feb. 13, the UniNEtZ Council meeting on Feb. 16, and the appointment with the Student Ombudsman’s Office.
on 22.02. The other dates in the coming weeks will also be used in particular for this purpose.
used. In this context, the German Rectors’ Conference on March 16 is particularly important. important, since the ÖH is the
university sectors directly for their assistance with concrete ideas and, as a follow-up to this
will also contact the universities directly once again.
At the suggestion of some university representatives, the ÖH Newsletter in March will deal only with the
ÖH election and focus on the candidacy for the ÖH election, because many of the candidates are
especially smaller AGMs worry that not enough people are running for office at them.
The ÖH is in intensive exchange with Studo and ACSL, in order to extend the reach of these partners for
to use the mobilization for the ÖH election 2023.
In addition, other coffee stands have taken place: on 14.12. at the PH Vienna, on12.01. to
of the University of Leoben, on 18.01. at the University of Vienna, on 25.01. at the FH Campus Vienna
and on 09 March at the University of Salzburg, where again many students are reached
could.
The list spokespersons are involved in the general planning of the election, there are
At least monthly updates and the ability to provide feedback.
EWAS
Work on the electronic election administration system is progressing rapidly. On 15.12.2022
the election commission of the Austrian National Union of Students decided to
next election with the eWAS of Brainformance IT-Services GmbH. In the same course
the resolution was passed on the commissioning of VENDO Druck + Kommunikation GmbH
with the implementation of the postal vote. As a consequence, Bundesrechenzentrum GmbH was instructed to stop work on the project “Offer number 202200756-62251109 BMBWF – EWAS for the
ÖH Federal Representative Elections 2023″. In addition, the election commission of the
Austrian National Union of Students the Federal Minister for Education, Science and Research.
Research asked to adopt the regulation on the development and operation of an electronic
Election administration system for the student body elections by the
Bundesrechenzentrum GmbH BGBl. II No. 91/2015 to be repealed. The system was adapted at an early stage to all
(Sub)election commissions sent out so that they can still make comments and
can make suggestions for improvement. From the week of 13.03. the system is intensively used by
The election commission chairmen and their deputies were tested so that they could still have a
can bring in final feedback. The (deputy) members of the Supervisory Board have declared their willingness to do so.
Chairmen of the election commissions of the University of Vienna, the University of Klagenfurt and the
Sub-selection committee at the Jam Music Lab. Attempts are being made to add one more (sub) to this team.
Expand election commission at a technical college. On 01.03.2023 started the penetration
Tests. By the time of this report, these had not revealed any serious deficiencies that would require a
would require immediate intervention. The delay of the start of the penetration test
is due to the fact that the accreditation of the URLs by the EGIZ (E-Government Innovation Center)
lasted longer than planned. The accreditations were already applied for in January, the release
took place only on 13.02.2023 (for wahlportal.oeh.ac.at) or on 20.02.2023 (for
ewas.oeh.ac.at). The trainings for the (sub)election commissions at the educational institutions.
were organized this time by the Österreichische Hochschüler_innenschaft. The first
Training courses have already been held. The feedback was positive throughout,
especially with regard to the technical application, was increasingly asked for assistance.
requested.
The Austrian National Union of Students will develop a guide for this purpose, which will be
Screenshots the handling of the eWAS explained as simply as possible. Also planned are
Video tutorials, the completion of these will take some time.
The following dates were/are offered:
– 28.02.2023 Vienna University of Education Vienna
– 06./07.03.2023 Linz University Linz
– 07.03.2023 Online Zoom
– 09./10.03.2023 Graz FH Joanneum
– 14.03.2023 Online Zoom
– 15/16.03.2023 Hall in Tirol UMIT Tirol
The legal input is provided by representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.
Research and the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the introduction to the application of the
electronic election administration system will be provided by a representative of Brainformance IT-Services
GmbH (Philipp Wildprad).
TAXATION
Inflation continues to be an issue that puts a lot of strain on students and therefore the ÖH
employed. The chair team supports the Social Department in its work to help students to
help In addition, the appointments with stakeholders are used to draw attention to the situation of
Students to point out and demand support. This was the case, for example, with the conversation
with State Secretary Florian Tusky on 12.12., in the appointment with NrAbg. Taschner and Marchetti, the
appointments with the BMBWF and the uniko annual reception.
In December the big ÖH student conference took place, where there were impulse lectures,
workshops for students and a large panel discussion at the end. The conference
has caused a lot of planning effort, which, however, was compensated by a very versatile and interesting
program has paid off.
At the ACSL Gameday on Dec. 17. ÖH social services were presented in order to attract more students.
to make them aware of this and to support them as best as possible during the inflation.
On 24.01. There was a media campaign to draw attention to the situation of students from third countries.
to draw attention to inflation in general and with particular emphasis.
INTERNATIONAL WORK AND SOLIDARITY
– Ahmed Samir
Unfortunately, the situation of CEU student Ahemd Samir Santawy remains unchanged: he holds
is still in Egypt and cannot leave the country due to the Informal Travel Ban
On 07.12.2022, the ÖH and the Rector of CEU sent a letter to the Egyptian Human Rights
Council, to which, however, no response has been received to date. The Austrian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in contact with Ahmed and his lawyers, but also has
communicates that it cannot change the current situation. Currently there are considerations the
campaign “Free Ahmed” via the rectorates to revive, the ÖH is for this with the
Students who started the campaign in contact.
– Iran
Under pressure from the ÖH, tuition fees for Iranian students in the summer semester 2023
suspended at public universities. The ÖH supports the FHK (Conference of Universities of Applied Sciences) in
of their request to also receive support from the ministry to reduce tuition fees
to be able to expose.
ÖH has also called for Iranian students to be informed not only about the suspension of
tuition, but also by creating scholarships,
residence regulations are facilitated and the flight to Austria as well as the
study here is made as easy as possible. In order to make these demands known and to
To demonstrate the ÖH’s solidarity with the revolutionary movement in Iran, the chairmanship team has decided on
spoke at several events on the subject, for example on 07.12. and on 19.12., further
Events are being planned. On 05.12. there was another event of the ÖH on the topic, at which
which a film will be shown followed by a panel discussion with experts
was.
– Earthquake
After the devastating earthquake in Turkey, Syria and Kurdish areas, the ÖH has made use of
and press release communicated their solidarity with the affected people and
Demands made. These were introduced in discussions with the BMBWF, this shows up
but has so far been entirely uncooperative.
We have contact with the Austrian-Turkish Student Association (ATÖD) and the association
of Kurdish Students in Austria (YXK) in order to give them the support of the ÖH
to offer. A conversation with YXK took place on 27.02, the conversation with ATÖD on
10.03.2023.
In order to help the affected students, the existing offers of the ÖH have been increasingly
The ÖH Helpline is a service offered by the ÖH and is available in Turkish and Arabic.
The ÖH has also on 24.02., 01.03. and 03.03. psychotherapy
Group appointments offered in Turkish, Arabic and Kurdish.
– Students at Risk
A concept for a Students at Risk program in Austria was developed. For this there was a
Appointment with section head Mag. Weitgruber from the BMBWF and the OeAD on 23.01. The concept
was provided with information from the existing Students at Risk programs in Europe.
and can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tZ61ArMwY68xW05VOOvM23xPQhfQGHJc?usp=sharing
At the German Rectors’ Conference on March 16. the concept is presented to the university sectors
and discussed with them. In a preliminary discussion, the Greens’ willingness to implement was signaled.
Concept development, meeting with SC Weitgruber, OeAD etc.
– ESU
The next BM will be held in the first week of May in Tbilisi, Georgia.
The ÖH is otherwise as always well connected within the ESU, especially through calls with the
TOPICS network, which was launched on 06.12., 19.01., 01.02. and 23.02. have taken place.
CLIMATE AND SUSTAINABILITY
The cooperation with UniNeTZ has been very productive so far, besides its own focus on
especially the networking with students in the UniNeTZ and the development of common
Projects with them. On 16.02. there has been an online meeting for this purpose, these are now to be monthly
take place. Planned projects include an exchange for topics for final theses and a focus
on sustainability in quality assurance. The ÖH has, also on 16.02., at the UniNeTZ.
Council meeting attended. In addition, the UniNeTZ structures will also be used to
to point out other concerns of the ÖH and especially the ÖH election.
The ÖH has the worldwide climate strike on 03.03. personnel and financial support, in addition
mobilized and was on site himself. Keya Baier has prepared a speech that will
was presented on site by the Department for environment and climate policy due to illness.
Apart from that, the chair team is involved in the projects and applications on climate and
sustainability issues and supports the Climate and Environmental Policy Unit in the following areas
the implementation of these.
ANTIFASCISM
The ÖH Bundesvertretung has organized the counter-demonstration to the Akademikerball 2023 on 24.02.
supported, called for and participated in it themselves. In the run-up to this there were on 23.02. a
Content preparation event where students can learn about fraternities, the
Akademikerball, the FPÖ and the connections between them. This
Event was disturbed by several people, who were excluded from the event by the ÖH.
had to be removed.
PERSONNEL
Here’s what’s happened with staff in recent months:
– Backfill in the secretariat:
In December, there was an advertisement for a new position in the Secretariat. There were a total of 8
Candidates. Out of the 8, 5 were invited to the interviews on 05.01.
Then on 1.02 Simon Pfeifenberger was hired in the secretariat.
– Backfill in Accounting:
Since one of the people in the accounting department will be retiring, a position has been advertised.
Very long attempts were made to find a person, but without success. That is why it was decided to
Split job into two jobs. Once a position in the accounting department for 25 hours and a
Position in wiref for 20 hours.
– Renewal of company agreement due to home office in summer
We are currently working on a passage in the company agreement where we will give employees the
Want to give the opportunity to go to the home office when it gets very hot in the office.
– AUVA
On 20.02 there was a visit from the AUVA (General Accident Insurance Institution).
This was only
a consultative appointment. We took a look at the office premises of the employees and
looked to see if everything fits.
UNIVERSITY SPORTS
The working group set up to hold the round tables has since its
Facility hit once.
Keya Baier had a conversation with the university sports department at BMBWF about a grant fund
for USI fees on 10/01/2023. The department believes that, with the existing system of
USI funding through the performance agreements already pays enough money and keeps a
such fund to be impractical, unadministrative, and not financially worthwhile.
It was agreed that a further discussion would take place as soon as the results of the next
Student Social Survey are there, as these show the need for and financial burden of USI
will query courses with.
The chairmanship team was represented at the ACSL Basketball Final Four Gameday on March 11, and this
also used to conduct intensive on-site election canvassing in cooperation with ACSL. Also
otherwise the exchange with ACSL is regular and works well.
MEDIATION
In two sessions, first the list spokespersons and then all mandataries were able to participate in the
cooperation within the ÖH BV. The appointments took place on 17 and 24.01.
and were led by Peter Zeitler and Gerda Ruppi-Lang. The participation rate
at the mediation meetings unfortunately left much to be desired.
Following the second mediation session, a workshop on LGBTQIA+ Awareness was held at.
Conducted by a person from the educational association Second Enlightenment.
The minutes of the mediation meetings and the workshop can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Gb3CC_8E-PFESeCWVlIbkOdDgdIUEzX5?usp=sharing
OTHER DATES
Meeting with BdWi and fzs regarding fall academy on 7.12., 11.01., 08.02., 20.02. and 08.03.
At these meetings, the jointly planned fall academy will be discussed. Current
The planning status is that the Regensburg youth hostel has been reserved in September 2023 and
a rough concept is currently being worked out. Keya Baier is here from the ÖH.
Dates regarding private universities
With the students in the senate of the Bertha von Suttner PU there were on 13.12. a short meeting with
Keya Baier to discuss current issues and learn about ÖH representation of PUs.
BV to exchange.
Apprenticeship contracts have deadlines on 31.01. with the New Design University and the
Webster University, on Feb. 13. with the Bertha von Suttner PU, and on Feb. 24. with the PU lock
Seeburg took place, which Keya Baier and the clerk from the Department of Education Policy
have taken over.
ÖH Winter Party on 13.12.
Together with all the volunteers, the end of 2022 was celebrated, looking back at
on the past year and provided input on content. The entire chairmanship team was there.
Jour Fixe with the UWK Rectorate on 14.12.
At this meeting, Keya Baier and the rectorate of the University of Continuing Education Krems discussed the
current issues of the students discussed on site.
ÖH Presentation BRG Bad Ischl on 16.12.
At the invitation of the BRG Bad Ischl a presentation of the ÖH, its structure and tasks, took place before
of a school class takes place. A special focus was on the offers for high school graduates.
Keya Baier made this appointment with an advisor from the Department for Student and
Maturant_innenberatung taken over.
Workshop at the ÖH Seminar on 16.12.
The chairmanship team has jointly held a workshop at the ÖH seminar on the structure and tasks of the ÖH.
taken over. The two other dates for this topic were moderated by Boryana Badinska. At
In the run-up to the seminar, the chairmanship team assisted the Education Policy Unit in organizing the seminar.
supported.
QS Pool Training from 13.01. until 15.01.
The chair team has assisted the Education Policy Unit in organizing the QS Pool training.
supported, Keya Baier and Boryana Badinska also participated themselves.
Inauguration of BP Van der Bellen on 26.01.
The entire presidency team was present at the inauguration of the Federal President Van der Bellen.
invited and participated.
Make a mark now – Holocaust commemoration on 27.01.
The entire chairmanship team was together with the list spokespersons of the BV at Heldenplatz in
Vienna at the commemoration of the initiative “Jetzt Zeichen setzen”.
