VsstÖ Salzburg
Electoral Program

University as diverse as ourselves

Your Voice for mental health

Mental health must play a central role at the university. We advocate for full funding of the Mental Health Fund and aim to actively raise awareness about it. Awareness efforts targeting students, staff, and faculty are essential to create a supportive environment and reduce everyday barriers. By strategically building internal structures, we aim to strengthen community care and ensure that diagnostic and support services within the university and the city become more visible. We also fight against the structurally increasing pressure to perform, which weighs heavily on many students.

We call for full funding and greater visibility of mental health support services, a reduction of performance pressure at the university through more flexible study structures, and internal community-based support in the form of peer support groups.

Your Voice for a queer-feminist university

Sexism is still present in many areas of university life today—whether in research and teaching that are predominantly shaped by cis-male perspectives, or through sexual assaults within the academic environment. For marginalized groups such as FLINTA* (women, lesbians, intersex, non-binary and trans people) and People of Color (POC), the university often remains a place where their perspectives and needs are overlooked. It’s time for the university to take its responsibility seriously and acknowledge the lived realities of all students. Gender and diversity issues must be integrated into teaching. We envision a university where everyone—regardless of gender, background, or identity—feels safe and respected. We are committed to making the university a safer space for all.

We call for the introduction of unisex restrooms and the free provision of menstrual products at all university locations, awareness training for all members of the university, the integration of FLINTA* and POC perspectives into every curriculum, the establishment of an anonymous reporting center for incidents of assault and experiences of racism, and the expansion of accessibility across all university campuses.

Your Voice for an anti-racist university

Western, Eurocentric perspectives still dominate many academic fields—and that needs to change! Courses and research approaches should be more culturally diverse and globally oriented in order to create a fairer and more inclusive academic landscape. Our university must be a place of diversity and inclusion, where all perspectives are equally valued. We need more multicultural viewpoints in our everyday studies and teaching. People of Color (POC) in particular are often faced with marginalized visibility and structural barriers. It is urgently necessary for the university to critically examine and dismantle racist structures, and to create space for POC students and staff to share their experiences and perspectives, and to be actively visible in all areas of university life—research, teaching, participation, and decision-making.

We call for the decolonization of education by promoting courses that incorporate diverse cultural and academic perspectives, as well as anti-racist awareness and sensitivity campaigns, and the development of internal university networks for People of Color (POC).

Affordable studies for everyone

Your Voice for affordable housing

Housing should not be a luxury—especially not for students! Salzburg is one of the most expensive cities in Austria when it comes to housing costs. We advocate for a fairer student housing allowance and demand full public funding for dormitories and shared-flat suitable housing construction. Every student should have access to affordable housing. Additionally, we call for the city of Salzburg to ensure that new housing projects are designed to be suitable for shared flats, creating more affordable housing options for students.

We call for a fair student housing allowance, full funding for dormitories, and targeted support for alternative housing concepts where people, regardless of gender, background, or income, can live safely and autonomously.

Your Voice for real democracy in dormitories

Student dormitories must be managed democratically! Dormitory representations should not be arbitrarily appointed by sponsoring associations, but must be genuine representatives of students’ interests. We advocate for more transparency and participation, and demand clear information on how students can establish and actively shape their own dormitory representations. Dormitory representations that are elected and managed by residents are better positioned to advocate for fair rent prices and improved conditions, rather than prioritizing profits. The real needs of students must take precedence, not economic interests. Dormitories are not just places to sleep, but social spaces that must be affordable, inclusive, and student-friendly.

We call for the democratization of dormitory representations with binding participation rights for students, transparent finances, an independent complaint office, fair rent prices, the right to self-managed common areas, improved social infrastructure, sustainable and ecological measures, as well as inclusive and accessible student dormitories.

Your Voice for an affordable life at the university, in the cafeteria, and in the city

Studying must be affordable and accessible for everyone—both on campus and in the city. We advocate for the creation of consumption-free spaces at the university where students can relax and exchange ideas. Additionally, we aim to promote access to culture in Salzburg, so that students with lower incomes also have the opportunity to participate in cultural events. Equally important is access to nature across the entire state of Salzburg—outdoor activities should not be limited to privileged people.

We call for the expansion and stabilization of social funding pools to support students facing financial burdens. This includes not only relief from high housing costs and reimbursements for repairs of technology, but also concrete assistance on issues such as contraception, abortions, and the provision of free menstrual products. These services should help relieve and support students in their everyday lives.

University - but sustainable

Your Voice for sustainable and expanded networking among student representatives (STVs)

Popcorn machines, board games, containers, hotplates, and even tree logs are all items owned by various student representatives (STVs). To ensure that everyone can benefit from these resources and to save resources, we advocate for the creation of a portal on the ÖH website that allows users to search for and find items that are already available. This way, it will be easy to check if something is already in stock and then borrow it. This will prevent the need for each program to purchase its own items, saving money and benefiting the environment.

We call for a portal for student representatives (STVs) that enables the exchange of STV-owned items (from popcorn machines to spritzer bottles).

Your Voice for an environmentally friendly university

Our university produces enormous amounts of waste every day—a large portion of which could be avoided or better separated through meaningful measures. General trash bins encourage improper disposal and hinder effective recycling of valuable materials. A sustainable university must take responsibility here and create structures that actively promote waste reduction. Additionally, we advocate for the introduction of a deposit cup system for the ÖH to minimize the consumption of single-use plastic and paper cups. Sustainability must be consistently implemented—even in everyday waste reduction!

We call for the abolition of general trash bins at the university and the establishment of central waste stations with clear, logical separation to ensure environmentally friendly disposal, as well as a deposit cup system to prevent waste from the outset.

Your Voice for veggie

To combat climate change, we also need to adjust our eating habits. We advocate for a climate-friendly, animal welfare-oriented, and affordable food offering.

We call for the expansion of the Veggie Month to two months and more vegan options in the cafeteria.

Your Voice for affordable public transport

While the Klimaticket provides some financial relief for accessing public transportation, it remains too expensive for many students—even with discounts. Especially for students from rural areas, switching to public transport often means a significant additional time burden. Additionally, the low frequency of night services makes it difficult for many students to get home safely. A true mobility shift can only succeed if bus and train connections are expanded comprehensively and reliably.

We call for affordable public transport tickets for students without an age limit and an expansion of public transport networks with reliable schedules—especially in the evenings and at night.

University that fits our needs

Your Voice for increased digitalization

The university must adapt to the realities of students’ lives. For working students, parents, or people with disabilities, today’s bureaucracy often presents an unnecessary barrier. A fully digital enrollment process would reduce bureaucratic hurdles and make it easier to access courses. Recording lectures would enable more flexible learning, especially for students who cannot always attend due to work or other commitments. Additionally, attendance requirements must be reformed to meet the individual needs of students.

We call for the possibility of full digital enrollment, the mandatory recording of lectures, and a flexible attendance policy for an accessible education.

Your Voice for a university that aligns with the realities of students' lives

The university is our shared space—and it must be designed to truly support us in our studies. We call for extended library hours, including Sundays or until 10 PM, to enable flexible learning instead of being hindered by rigid structures. Additionally, there is a need for more student lounges that are not only functional but also comfortable. The university should not be a place accessible only to those who can afford to dedicate all their time to studying. An active campus life with regular events that promote exchange, culture, and political discussion is just as important as a study program that is not solely focused on performance pressure and economic logic. A university that only imparts knowledge but offers no space for encounters, solidarity, and flexible life realities fails in its societal mission.

We call for extended library hours, more cozy and consumption-free lounges, and a vibrant campus life with regular events that promote exchange and community.

Your Voice for less pressure to perform

A university education should not be defined by unnecessary barriers and stress—especially not for students who need to work in order to afford their studies. The university should be a place for free and self-determined learning, but instead, students are held back by rigid ECTS limits, complex prerequisite chains, and knockout exams in the STEOP. These structures exacerbate social inequalities: those who work alongside their studies or have caregiving responsibilities are severely disadvantaged when a lack of flexibility blocks their academic progress.

The threat of tuition fees and the reduction of financial aid put students under existential pressure and increasingly make education a privilege. Instead of being forced into competition for exam attempts or study places, students need reliable conditions that enable a stress-free education—regardless of their financial or social situation.

We call for relaxed prerequisite chains, study plans, and the abolition of knockout exams and ECTS limits—for a stress-free education that is aligned with the needs of students.