As an opposition faction within the Austrian Students' Union (ÖH), one of our most important tasks is participating in committees on various topics.
The following eight committees are currently established:
Committee for Education Policy
This committee monitors the ÖH's education policy strategy. It also coordinates topics such as the introductory and orientation phase (STEOP) as well as counseling for high school graduates and students, to ensure teaching quality and fair study conditions.
Committee for Equality Issues
This committee is the supervisory body for non-discrimination and diversity within the ÖH and at higher education institutions. It consolidates the competencies of the departments for feminist policy, queer issues, anti-racism, and accessibility.
Committee for International Affairs
This committee monitors the ÖH's international networking, particularly cooperation with the European Students’ Union (ESU). It deals with mobility programs such as Erasmus+ and support for international students (incomings) as well as those going abroad (outgoings).
Committee for Constitutional Matters
This committee monitors the ÖH's „internal rules.“ It is responsible for amendments and additions to the constitution, which forms the legal basis for all of the ÖH's work.
It reviews whether planned reforms of the internal organization are legally permissible and ensures that democratic processes within the representation—such as meeting rules or election procedures—remain clearly defined and up to date.
Committee for Special Projects
This committee monitors the allocation of funding for student initiatives. Students can submit applications here for projects that enrich everyday university life or are sociopolitically relevant.
The body reviews whether submitted projects comply with funding guidelines and decides on financial support. In this way, the committee enables a diverse student project landscape beyond the ÖH's daily core work.
Committee for Social Affairs
The Social Affairs Committee monitors and shapes students' social security. It deals with topics such as study grants, insurance, housing, and financial support in emergencies, for example through the ÖH Social Fund.
In this body, representatives from the areas of social policy, accessibility, feminist policy, and for international students are heard to ensure comprehensive social counseling and support.
Committee for Tutorials
This committee monitors and coordinates the nationwide tutorial project. The focus is primarily on first-semester tutorials, which are intended to ease the transition into studies, as well as topic-based tutorials on socially critical issues.
The body decides on project applications for these tutorials and ensures that mentors are sufficiently trained to best integrate new students into university life.
Committee for Economic Affairs
The Economic Affairs Committee monitors the ÖH's finances. It is involved in preparing the budget and the annual financial statements. Before the Federal Representative Body decides on the budget, it must be thoroughly discussed here.
In addition, the committee supervises ongoing financial management and is informed about the issuance of service and financial regulations as well as the allocation of premises. Unlike most other committees, this one generally meets behind closed doors.