Financial year 2024
I. Fundamentals of the company
Studierendenwerk Münster has three main sources of income:
a) Income generated from university catering and student Accomodation (room rental)
b) Social contributions from students
c) Subsidies: Fixed amount from the state of NRW, reimbursement of costs in accordance with BAföG and operating cost subsidies for daycare centers
II. Economic report
1. economic situation
Studierendenwerk Münster has three main sources of income:
a) Income generated from university catering and student Accomodation (room rental)
b) Social contributions from students
c) Subsidies: Fixed amount from the state of NRW, reimbursement of costs in accordance with BAföG and operating cost subsidies for daycare centers
2. business performance and situation
In addition to the national economic situation, 2024 continued to be influenced by the global political situation, in particular the ongoing war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East. The main consequences were rising energy prices and expenses for the use of goods.
In the catering sector, demand stabilized continuously, even compared to the previous year, but still only reached a level of around 77% of the “pre-corona period” from 2019 in terms of transactions. Due to a sustained increase in the range of digitized teaching and the specifics of the location in Münster, such as a decentralized infrastructure, it can be assumed that these reasons will have a lasting effect on guest numbers.
Nevertheless, catering sales developed positively and reached the sales revenue from 2019 for the first time again in 2024 due to the price adjustments made in recent years. In a direct comparison with the previous year, sales revenue in the area of university catering increased by around EUR 1.1 million (+14.1%). This is also partly due to the adjustment of the pricing system, which enables a flexible response to the increased cost of goods sold.
The number of students in the winter semester 2024/2025 will decrease from 57,776 to 56,792 (-984) compared to the winter semester 2023/2024.
The high demand for student Accomodation remains stable and is therefore only rudimentarily affected by the impact of the moderate decline in the number of students in Münster and Steinfurt. A flat-rate rent is charged for the majority of residential complexes, which is adjusted every two years to reflect current and forecast expenses. In May 2024, the flat-rate rent for all relevant halls of residence was adjusted so that Studierendenwerk Münster can cover its costs in this area. The conversion of the remaining halls of residence with peak billing is planned for 2025 and 2028. With 5,356 places in halls of residence on the balance sheet date, Studierendenwerk Münster is a major provider in this market segment. In close cooperation with the universities, student representatives and the city of Münster, Studierendenwerk Münster is trying to overcome the particular challenges in terms of providing sufficient housing for students. The provision of emergency accommodation for students who have not yet found a place to stay at the start of lectures had to be continued in 2024. The standard here was optimized through measures aimed at creating more privacy.
In the 2024 financial year, necessary maintenance measures and investments were also implemented in accordance with the investment plan. For example, repairs were carried out to the building management system in the Wilhelmskamp residential complex. The urgently needed refurbishment of the kitchens and common rooms in the Wilhelmskamp residential complex began in 2024 and will continue in subsequent years. Professional façade cleaning, as an alternative to repainting, was carried out on other residential complexes in 2024 and will also be part of maintenance in 2025. The planning process for the refurbishment of the Gescherweg II residential complex was finalized. With the aim of improving energy efficiency, there are plans to renovate the roof, replace the windows, install a photovoltaic system and renew the heating system, for example. Implementation is scheduled to start in the coming year 2025.
The redensification at the Gescherweg site is also still in the planning phase. Two buildings will be constructed to create new living space for 190 students. The corresponding funding applications were submitted on time in 2024.
Additional living space was created by converting the sales room of the former kiosk at Rudolf-Harbig-Weg 55-61. The conversion will allow four more student residences to be allocated to students from 2025.
Urgently needed renovations for the Mensa am Aasee and Mensa am Ring have been in the planning phase since the end of 2024 and are to be implemented over the next few years. The Hüffer-Campus canteen is scheduled to open for the 2026 summer semester. This additional catering facility will be able to cover part of the supply for students during phases of temporary closures in connection with renovations.
In 2024, Studierendenwerk Münster faced further challenges in the area of daycare facilities, as a new location will probably have to be found for the Kita Tausendfüßler and a new building planned. The measures were being planned and coordinated with the City of Münster in 2024.
The implementation of the new Energy Efficiency Act has been initiated in all areas of the Studierendenwerk Münster.
3. net assets, financial position and results of operations
a) Earnings position
The operating business continues to recover well after the coronavirus crisis, which is also evident in the 2024 reporting year. Studierendenwerk Münster’s sales revenue increased by € 2,057.6 thousand from € 29,896.9 thousand in the previous year to € 31,954.5 thousand. Of this, the catering facilities recorded an increase in revenue from € 8,136.6 thousand in the previous year to € 9,283.4 thousand (change + € 1,146.8 thousand).
Student Accomodation also accounted for an increase in revenue from € 18,840.9 thousand to € 19,646.1 thousand (change of € +805.2 thousand). This is due to the adjustment of rents from May 2024.
Income from social contributions rose from € 11,844.9 thousand in the previous year to € 13,201.4 thousand (+ € 1,356.5 thousand) due to an increase in social contributions for the winter semester 2023 despite a decline in student numbers.
Studierendenwerk Münster received a general subsidy of € 4,619.5 thousand for 2024 for ongoing business operations. This has fallen by € 363.6 thousand compared to the previous year.
Grants for BAföG processing increased by € 318.0 thousand to € 2,255.2 thousand and grants for daycare centers rose by € 170.4 thousand to € 2,215.1 thousand. In addition to the adjustment dynamics due to the KiBiz, the increase resulted in each case from a voluntary grant and bridging aid from the City of Münster for the Kita Chamäleon and the Kita Tausendfüßler in 2024 totaling € 92 thousand.
Personnel costs increased by € 1,965.1 thousand to € 25,414.0 thousand compared to 2023. This is due, among other things, to the pay increase agreed in 2023, which will have a full-year effect in 2024. The inflation compensation premium was paid from June 2023 up to and including February 2024 and was tax and duty free.
Expenses for the purchase of food increased by € 334.0 thousand to € 4,420.9 thousand in the 2024 reporting year, while energy costs rose by around € 364 thousand to € 5,139 thousand, partly due to the abolition of the energy price brake. The Studierendenwerke raised awareness among students on the topic of saving energy through the “Flip the Switch” campaign.
Other operating expenses increased by € 2,293.2 thousand from € 4,392.8 thousand in 2023 to € 6,686.0 thousand, mainly due to the increased implementation of consumptive measures from the investment plan.
Income from securities held as financial assets increased by € 59 thousand to € 182 thousand. The investment of short and medium-term liquidity reserves in overnight and term deposits, for example, resulted in income of € 1,243.4 thousand (+€ 902.7 thousand).
In contrast, interest and similar expenses decreased by € 55 thousand to € 1,344.9 thousand.
At € 3,391.2 thousand, the net profit for 2024 decreased by around € 693.9 thousand compared to the previous year. The net profit for the year deviates significantly from the business plan by around € 4,711.4 thousand. This significant deviation from the business plan is due to the following factors, for example
Overall, sales revenue was significantly higher than planned. Although the implementation of the planned rent increase was delayed by one month due to staff shortages, sales revenue in the catering area increased more significantly than expected. Other sales were also above the target figure, as income from the “DSW canteen conference” event, for example, could not be reliably taken into account at the time of planning. Income from subsidies developed more positively due to special allocations in the area of child daycare facilities and a significant increase in subsidies in the area of education funding. Other reasons were the lower increase in energy and personnel expenses compared to the forecast. The significantly higher income from interest from short-term investments resulted from higher liquidity, which was partly due to investments that were not made. In this context, this was mainly due to a postponement; for example, the replacement of the dishwashing technology in the da Vinci canteen (planned: € 250 thousand) will take place in 2025 and 50% of the budget for the e-check for all properties (planned: € 500 thousand) was also carried over to 2025. In individual cases, it may not be possible to implement an investment in the future. An example of this is the purchase of a hotel planned for 2024. This property was to be converted into living space for students. The purchase price offered by Studierendenwerk Münster was not accepted by the owner. This development alone resulted in a deviation in the investment volume of around EUR 3.25 million.
b) Financial position
As a non-profit organization, the Studierendenwerke are financed by student contributions and state subsidies. These financial resources are used effectively to support and promote students.
As a result, the financial situation of the Studierendenwerke depends, among other things, on the number of students and the demand for the services offered by the respective Studierendenwerk. Therefore, effective and sustainable management as well as a constant adaptation of the existing offers to the needs of the students within the framework of the given possibilities is necessary.
Liabilities were settled on time and receivables were collected within the agreed payment terms.
The financial situation of Studierendenwerk Münster can currently be regarded as relaxed, although cash and cash equivalents have fallen from € 26,390.9 thousand to € 22,360.5 thousand compared to the previous year. In this context, it should be noted that securities in financial assets were increased by € 5 million at the expense of cash and cash equivalents.
Liabilities to banks decreased by around € 3,646 thousand to € 84,953.4 thousand, with 80.8% having a remaining term of more than 5 years, 14.9% a term of between 1 and 5 years and only 4.3% a term of up to one year.
c) Financial position
The assets of Studierendenwerk Münster decreased in the 2024 financial year. Total assets amounted to € 233,171.2 thousand as at the balance sheet date (previous year: € 236,622.8 thousand).
The structure of current and non-current assets and liabilities was stable. The ratio of non-current assets to total assets was 89.5% (previous year: 87.2%), while the ratio of liabilities (including deferred income) to total assets was 41.3% (previous year: 42.2%).
4. financial control instruments
Studierendenwerk Münster’s liquidity is monitored, analyzed and controlled on a monthly basis by means of target/actual comparisons. By regularly carrying out these comparisons, deviations can be quickly identified and liquidity planning can be adjusted accordingly. Countermeasures can be taken and implemented in good time, particularly in the event of negative developments. However, this was not necessary in 2024.
5. overall statement
The general conditions for the economic activities of Studierendenwerk Münster have become increasingly challenging – exacerbated by the long-term effects of the coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing consequences of the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East. These challenges are further exacerbated by the fact that, despite the ongoing crises, the fixed-amount grants from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia have not been increased to a sufficient extent in recent years and there have also been no special grants from the state for 2024. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia must live up to its responsibility towards the Studierendenwerke and provide them with sustainable support in these challenging times.
In addition, the ongoing digitalization of universities is having a significant impact on the number of students who regularly make physical use of the Studierendenwerk Münster infrastructure on site. This has consequences for the demand situation for university catering in particular.
The Studierendenwerk’s profitability is influenced by constant cost increases, for example in the area of personnel costs (upcoming wage increases), high renovation and modernization requirements in the residential complexes and in the catering facilities in its own portfolio. Studierendenwerk Münster has the particularity compared to other student unions that the large canteens are owned by Studierendenwerk Münster and not, for example, by the universities or the BLB, resulting in increased maintenance and refurbishment costs. The development of energy and raw material prices, which are also expected to rise in the future, also has a major impact on profitability.
Catering facilities in particular are burdened and challenged by high personnel costs and rising food and energy costs. In 2025, the catering sector of the Studierendenwerke in NRW will be analysed as part of an external data collection by a consulting firm and the state of NRW in order to develop optimization proposals for the existing organization and concepts in the catering sector, if necessary. Such an organizational study has already taken place in 2024 for all Studierendenwerke NRW at a general level to analyze the organizational structure and tasks of the Studierendenwerke. The results of this study are still pending.
In the student Accomodation segment, the main impact of the war in Ukraine was the increase in energy costs. This ultimately resulted in a significant adjustment to warm rents as at May 2024. Nevertheless, demand remains consistently high, with the occupancy rate at around 99%.
Thanks to a business policy based on commercial prudence, the financial liquidity of Studierendenwerk Münster is secured. This ensures that future necessary investments and unforeseen challenges can be overcome.
The renovation backlog of recent years is being reduced in small steps. To this end, investments are prioritized in the investment plan from 1 (important) to 3 (not so important). Priority 1 investments were primarily implemented in 2024.
The course of business in 2024 shows that the employees of Studierendenwerk Münster were able to successfully complete numerous tasks despite ongoing external challenges. With great commitment and dedication, they worked for the benefit of the more than 55,000 students in the Münster and Steinfurt university regions.
III. forecast report
In 2025, the war in Ukraine will continue to be an economic burden for the economy as a whole and thus subsequently for Studierendenwerk Münster. A lasting peaceful solution is not yet foreseeable at this time. It can be assumed that both energy prices and the cost of raw materials and supplies will continue to rise. In addition, the current customs policy of US President Donald Trump is also causing economic uncertainty and possible negative consequences for Germany as a business location and ultimately new challenges for Studierendenwerk Münster.
The 2025 business plan drawn up in November 2024 results in a negative planned annual result of around € -302 thousand. In addition to the already mentioned and calculated price adjustments, Studierendenwerk also expects personnel costs to rise. A collective wage increase of 3% has been taken into account. Rising wages and salaries lead to a permanent increase in personnel costs. Forward-looking and consistent personnel management is essential in all areas of the Studierendenwerk. It requires precise, future-oriented planning, particularly with regard to the shortage of skilled workers, upcoming retirements and the organization’s own junior staff training. This is supplemented by necessary process optimizations and structural adjustments.
The vacant positions of Head of the Department of Catering Facilities and Head of the Department of Student Finance will be filled in April 2025.
An increase in vacancies is not expected in the student Accomodation segment. Münster is an attractive location, meaning that even after the necessary rent adjustments made in 2024, demand for housing will clearly exceed supply. As the increase in all-inclusive rents will take effect throughout the year in 2025, rental income is expected to increase in this area.
Studierendenwerk Münster expects the number of students to continue to fall slightly in the coming year.
This will result in a moderate decrease in income from social contributions, as no increase in social contributions is planned. An average number of students of 54,900 (actual 2024 = 55,576) is assumed in the budget for 2025.
In 2026, the changeover from G8 to G9 means that there will be no Abitur cohort, which is expected to lead to a decline in first-semester enrolments. However, as Münster is still considered an attractive place to study, Studierendenwerk Münster assumes that the number of students will only decrease moderately in the winter semester 2025/2026. The forecast assumes a reduction of 2,000 students compared to the previous winter semester.
IV. Opportunity and risk report
1. risk report
a) Sector-specific
In the long term, a further decline in student numbers is to be expected as a result of demographic change. In addition, advancing digitalization is increasingly changing students’ everyday lives – particularly in terms of their presence at universities. This development requires a critical examination, particularly in the area of university catering. A sensitive approach is required here in order to develop targeted strategies with which the service areas can be aligned and adapted for the future.
In addition to the aforementioned industry-specific risk, there is also a noticeable shortage of skilled workers across Germany. It is becoming increasingly challenging to find well-trained specialists and retain them in the long term. Attracting qualified employees is becoming increasingly difficult, particularly in the public sector, as the rigid collective bargaining system offers salaries that are often below the current market level. A key task for Studierendenwerke in the future will therefore be to actively counteract the shortage of skilled workers through targeted process optimization, the use of modern management tools and the further development of a contemporary corporate culture.
Studierendenwerk Münster has no direct influence on the pay scale. As long as the collective bargaining parties and the Ministry of Culture and Science of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia do not adopt a new perspective with regard to more performance-related remuneration, filling specialist and management positions with qualified staff will remain a major challenge in the future. This makes it all the more important to focus more on in-house training and targeted personnel development – supported by the targeted use of digitalization and artificial intelligence.
b) Earnings-oriented risks
A significant increase in income from grants is doubtful in the coming years, given the tight budget situation of the federal and state governments. In addition, the number of students is expected to decline, meaning that income from social contributions will also fall.
This results in the need to secure and increase income in the area of university catering in the long term. New offers should be developed and existing offers should be reviewed and adapted if necessary.
In addition, the housing offer for students must continue to be calculated to cover costs. If time-critical refurbishment measures in the residential complexes are not implemented in the medium to long term, vacancy rates may rise at some locations. This in turn will lead to a decline in rental income.
International wars, trouble spots and political uncertainties pose a significant indirect risk to the earnings situation of Studierendenwerk Münster. The price trend for goods, energy supply and investments, including possible financing costs, is trending upwards.
Contractually agreed fixed prices, for example with energy supply companies, are limited in time and must be renegotiated with commitment. There will also be a further increase in personnel costs due to the limited validity of the collective wage agreement from 2023. At present, the current collective wage negotiations in the public sector are resulting in an increase of a good 3%.
In order to enable efficient management across the board in the future, structures and processes at Studierendenwerk Münster must be further reviewed and optimized.
c) Financial risks
The liquidity situation is still stable at the moment, but will become more strained in the coming years as Studierendenwerk Münster faces major challenges in the area of investments. The available funds must be used in a targeted manner.
The need for refurbishment and modernization in the area of student Accomodation as well as the considerable investment backlog in the two large, owner-occupied halls of residence cannot be overcome without support from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia or other funding providers. It is therefore essential to specifically examine the extent to which federal and state funding programs can be utilized in order to cushion the financial burden. It is imperative to ensure the economic operation of the residential complexes, even after the necessary measures have been completed.
In view of rising personnel, investment and ancillary costs on the one hand and a downward trend in income from social contributions, sales revenue and constant state subsidies on the other, it is necessary in the medium to long term to develop strategies to reduce costs and further develop the range of services. Studierendenwerk Münster develops these strategies in internal working groups, in which optimization potentials are systematically analyzed and appropriate measures are examined.
Developments on the financial market – particularly with regard to interest rates – should continue to be monitored closely.
2. opportunities
Studierendenwerk Münster will continue to make every effort to respond flexibly to the diverse and changing needs of students. The continuous optimization of the range of services offered remains a central corporate goal.
In addition, Studierendenwerk Münster is open to the development of new sources of income and fields of activity within the framework of its legal mandate – provided that they promise economic success or enable an economically justifiable expansion of the existing offer.
3. overall statement
The future existence of the Studierendenwerk Münster with its current services will depend, among other things, on the extent to which the state of North Rhine-Westphalia fulfills its responsibility and is prepared to make a significantly higher contribution to financing the Studierendenwerke in the state.
Forward-looking controlling and the continuous review and optimization of processes to increase efficiency and reduce costs are essential. Medium-term investment planning in particular is a key management tool in this context.
The shortage of skilled workers and the high average age of the workforce make increased efforts in training necessary. In addition, an expansion of further training opportunities for existing staff, targeted measures in occupational health management and a strengthening of the corporate culture are necessary in order to remain viable and attractive as an employer in the long term.
In the service areas, it is necessary to further develop and optimally coordinate personnel requirements, personnel deployment and the technology used, both quantitatively and qualitatively.
In times of digitalization with cloud solutions and the use of artificial intelligence (AI), ensuring and further developing IT security is another key issue. This applies to hardware and software as well as to raising awareness and training employees.
The topic of sustainability will become increasingly important over the years and Studierendenwerk Münster, as a social service provider, will also focus more on regionality, healthy eating, energy efficiency and other sustainable aspects.
In the interests of students, Studierendenwerk Münster will continue to pursue a cautious pricing policy in the future – insofar as this is justifiable from an economic point of view.
V. Risk reporting on the use of financial instruments
The financial instruments held by the company essentially include receivables, liabilities, bank balances, securities and derivative financial instruments. Defaults on rent receivables are the exception due to the receivables management concepts that have been put in place and the contractual structure of the rental agreements. Liabilities are paid within the agreed payment periods.
In its financial management, Studierendenwerk Münster pursues a strictly conservative risk policy and deliberately avoids risky forms of investment. In the event of recognizable default or credit risks of financial assets, appropriate value adjustments are made. Effective debtor management has been established to further minimize risk.
To hedge interest rate risks from future variable-interest loans (underlying transactions), interest rate swaps – with terms extending until 2051 – were concluded in November 2011 in the amount of € 37.3 million (hedging transactions). The interest rate swaps convert the variable cash flows of the 3M Euribor into fixed cash flows of 3.33% p.a. on a quarterly basis. There are no plans to sell the interest rate swaps prematurely.
Conclusion
Studierendenwerk Münster supports students in all areas – be it with food, accommodation or social matters. At a time which, in retrospect, is often considered the best time of one’s life, the Studierendenwerk provides the necessary security. This mission is of lasting importance and will continue to play a central role in the years to come.
Münster, May May 26, 2025
Studierendenwerk Münster – Institution under public law –
signed. Dr. Christoph Holtwisch
(Managing Director)
The Studierendenwerk in figures
| Allgemeine Angaben | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zahl der Studierenden (WS) | 56.792 | 57.776 | 60.284 |
| - Universität Münster | 41.972 | 42.484 | 44.628 |
| - FH Münster | 13.366 | 13.769 | 14.218 |
| - Kunstakademie | 369 | 363 | 346 |
| - Katholische Hochschule NRW Abt. Münster | 1.085 | 1.160 | 1.092 |
| Sozialbeitrag ab Wintersemester in € | 120 | 120 | 99.34 |
| Sozialbeiträge in T€ | 13.201,4 | 11.844,9 | 11.395,3 |
| Bilanzsumme in T€ | 233.171,2 | 236.622,8 | 235.391,3 |
| Personalaufwand in T€ | 25.413,9 | 23.448,9 | 22.730,7 |
| Zahl der Beschäftigten (nach HGB) | 557 | 550 | 557 |
| Verpflegung und sonstige Verkäufe | |||
| Anzahl verkaufter Essen (Mensen, Bistros, Cafés) | 1.999.783 | 1.826.659 | 1.378.228 |
| Preis der Mensaessen (Studierende) in € | 1,10 bis 8,00 | 1,10 bis 8,00 | 1,10 bis 8,00 |
| Umsatzerlöse in T€ | 9.283 | 8.136,6 | 6.186,8 |
| - Umsatzerlöse Mensen in T€ | 6.536 | 5.745,1 | 4.464,2 |
| - Umsatzerlöse Bistros in T€ | 2.084 | 1.832,3 | 1.207,8 |
| - Umsatzerlöse Cafés in T€ | 237 | 162,3 | 174,4 |
| - Umsatzerlöse Automatenbewirtschaftung in T€ | 161 | 134,8 | 97,9 |
| - Umsatzerlöse Übrige in T€ | 265 | 262,1 | 242,5 |
| Studentisches Wohnen | |||
| Zahl der Wohnplätze | 5.356 | 5.363 | 5.390 |
| Monatliche Miete für einen Wohnplatz in € | 191,59-600,63 | 184,99-606,58 | 184,99-606,58 |
| Mieterlöse in T€ | 19.646,0 | 18.841,0 | 18.653,0 |
| Ausbildungsförderung | |||
| Zahl der geförderten Studierenden | 8.168 | 10.094 | 9.395 |
| Quote der geförderten Studierenden in % | 14,4 | 17,47 | 15,58 |
| Ausgezahlte Förderungsmittel in T€ | 52.394 | 62.012,3 | 49.914,6 |
| Kindertagesstätten | |||
| Betreuungsplätze „Kita Tausendfüßler“ (Angebotene Plätze Stichtag 31.12.24) | 48 | 40 | 48 |
| Betreuungsplätze „Kita Chamäleon“ (Angebotene Plätze Stichtag 31.12.24) | 70 | 70 | 60 |
| Betreuungsplätze „Zwergenstübchen“ (Angebotene Plätze bis zur Schließung der Notbetreuung 31.7.24) | 10 | 11 | 11 |
| Betriebskostenzuschuss-Vorauszahlung Stadt MS in T€ | 2.215,0 | 2.044,7 | 2.048,8 |
Tasks and responsibilities
According to the law, statutes and contribution regulations, the Studierendenwerk Münster is responsible for the interests of students at the
- University Münster
- University of Applied Sciences Münster (FH)
- Art Academy Münster
- Katholische Hochschule NRW, Münster department
responsible.
The number of students to be supervised has developed as follows for the winter semester 2024/2025
| Einrichtung | WS 24/25 | WS 23/24 | WS 22/23 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universität Münster | 41.972 | 42.484 | 44.628 |
| Fachhochschule Münster (FH) | 13.366 | 13.769 | 14.218 |
| Katholische Hochschule NRW (Abt. Münster) | 1.085 | 1.160 | 1.092 |
| Kunstakademie Münster | 369 | 363 | 346 |
| Summe | 56.792 | 57.776 | 60.284 |
In addition to the range of services that Studierendenwerk Münster provides for students at the University of Applied Sciences Münster, the University of Applied Sciences Münster, the Catholic University and the Academy of Art, the Office for Educational Support also provides services for two other universities in accordance with § 1 Para. 3 No. 9 of the NRW Student Services Act in conjunction with the Ordinance of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Research on Student Services as Offices for Educational Support of 22.09.2009 § 1 Para. 1 No. 9, Para. 2 No. 9. However, the services provided in this context for the Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule in Münster and the Mathias-Hochschule in Rheine are not offset by any income in accordance with the contribution regulations.
In accordance with the law and the statutes, the Studierendenwerk Münster provides social and economic services for the students in its area of responsibility. The services focus on the following fields of activity:
- Construction and operation of gastronomic facilities
- Construction, rental and brokerage of residential space
- Implementation of the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG), granting of student loans and arranging student loans.
Other tasks include, for example, childcare for parents who are generally students and the provision of a wide range of services for students by the Counselling – International Affairs – Culture (BIK) department.
Organs
According to the Studierendenwerk Act in the version published on October 1, 2014, the Studierendenwerk has had two bodies as an institution under public law since the beginning of the 2005 – 2007 term of office:
- the Board of Directors
- the managing director
Board of Directors
In accordance with § 4 StWG, the Board of Directors is composed of
- four students from the universities in Münster
- another member of the universities in Münster
- two employees of the Studierendenwerk Münster
- a person with relevant specialist knowledge or professional experience in the economic, legal or social field
- a member of the rectorate or the presidium of the universities in Münster.
At least four members of the Board of Directors must be women.
Section 6 of the StWG regulates the responsibilities of the Administrative Board. It is responsible for adopting and amending the articles of association, the contribution regulations and passing resolutions on the annual business plan, including the staffing overview. It is responsible for receiving and discussing the Managing Director’s annual report, approving the annual financial statements and discharging the Managing Director on the basis of the auditor’s report. Furthermore, the Administrative Board is responsible for establishing principles for the activities of the Studierendenwerk and the development of its facilities. It must also monitor the activities of the Managing Director, in particular with regard to organization and accounting, and ensure compliance with the principles of financing and financial management.
Publication in accordance with Section 17 of the Anti-Corruption Act
On March 1, 2005, the NRW Anti-Corruption Act – KorruptionsbG NRW – enacted by the NRW state government on December 16, 2004 came into force. The members of the Board of Directors and the Managing Director are obliged to provide information about
- the profession practiced and consultancy contracts,
- memberships of supervisory boards and other supervisory bodies within the meaning of Section 125 (1) sentence 3 of the German Stock Corporation Act,
- membership of bodies of independent areas of responsibility under public or private law of the authorities and institutions named in Section 1 (1) and (2) of the State Organization Act,
- membership of the governing bodies of other companies under private law,
- functions in associations or comparable bodies.
The personal declaration of the members of the Board of Directors and the Management Board in accordance with Section 17 of the German Corruption Act (KorruptionsbG) is published on our website.
Tasks Management
The Managing Director manages the Studierendenwerk Münster in accordance with § 9 StWG and conducts its business. He represents the Studierendenwerk in court and in legal transactions. He is responsible for the budget, implements the business plan including the job overview and prepares the annual financial statements. He is responsible for implementing the resolutions of the Administrative Board. The Managing Director is the superior of the employees of the Studierendenwerk Münster.
The managing director is obliged to organize and manage the Studierendenwerk Münster in such a way that the fulfillment of the social mission is guaranteed in the long term.
