Demands for the 2027 State Election in Schleswig-Holstein
This list of demands is the result of our daily work with students and reflects the urgent need for action that we have identified as essential for a sustainable higher education policy in Schleswig-Holstein.
1. Financial Relief & Student Financing
The introduction of new fees during a period of inflation undermines the goal of educational equity.
Immediate repeal of the administrative fee
The fee of 60 euros per semester introduced for the 2026 summer semester must be abolished. Education is a core responsibility of the state and must not be cross-subsidized by special levies on students.
Expansion of the hardship fund
As long as the fee remains in place, the criteria for reimbursement through the Studentenwerk SH must be made significantly more accessible.
State subsidies for the semester ticket
Reduce and cap the price of the nationwide semester ticket through state subsidies to keep mobility between locations (Kiel, Lübeck, Flensburg, Heide, Wedel) affordable.
Semester ticket price cap
The price of the nationwide semester ticket in Schleswig-Holstein may only increase if, at the same time, the BAföG need-based rates are increased by at least the same percentage. Mobility must not result in students having to cut back on food.
2. Reform of BAföG implementation (state level)
While the grant amounts are determined at the federal level, administration is the responsibility of the state and the student services organization. There is an urgent need for action here.
Digital-First Application Process
Away from complicated PDF jungles. We call for an intuitive, fully digital application portal that automatically retrieves data (such as parents’ tax returns) with their consent.
Processing Guarantee (“Speedy BAföG”)
Introduction of a statutory deadline. BAföG applications must be decided within a maximum of six weeks. If this deadline is exceeded, a provisional payment subject to review must be made automatically to avoid payment gaps that threaten students’ livelihoods.
Staffing increases at the offices
To reduce processing times, staffing levels at the offices for educational assistance must be adjusted to the actual application workload.
Strengthen parent-independent BAföG
In the Bundesrat, Schleswig-Holstein should advocate for a fundamentally parent-independent BAföG
3. Housing & Social Infrastructure
The shortage of affordable housing in university towns is chronic. We call for a shift away from short-term subsidy schemes toward sustainable and inclusive social security.
“Young Living” Construction Initiative
A massive increase in state funding for the Studentenwerk SH to build new housing and carry out energy-efficient renovations of existing dormitory units. The state must fulfill its responsibility to provide sufficient housing capacity to accommodate the growing number of students.
Introduction of Permanent Rent Control
We call for an end to the time limits on social housing commitments in student housing. Publicly subsidized housing must not be released from these commitments after 20 or 25 years. Once subsidized with taxpayer funds, this housing must remain subject to rent control permanently in order to guarantee affordable housing for future generations as well.
Specific Measures for International Students
Given the particular challenges faced on the open housing market, we call for the creation and earmarking of dormitory capacity specifically for international students. This must be accompanied by multilingual advisory services and the simplification of rental processes—without the requirement for German guarantors—in order to strengthen Schleswig-Holstein’s position as an attractive and welcoming hub for higher education.
Supporting Campus Cafeterias
Increase ongoing subsidies for the Student Services Organization to keep cafeteria meal prices stable despite rising costs. Everyone must be guaranteed one hot meal a day, regardless of their financial situation.
4. Higher Education Funding & Quality of Teaching
Cost-cutting measures are currently leading to a “downturn in education” that jeopardizes the state’s long-term viability.
End the hiring freezes
The practice of leaving vacant positions at universities unfilled for months must be stopped. This leads to overcrowded classes and longer grading times.
Supporting Minor Subjects
Protecting orchid-related programs and humanities majors from being shut down due to short-sighted profitability calculations.
Permanent positions for permanent tasks
Converting temporary project positions into permanent positions for mid-level faculty to ensure the quality of student support.
5. Digitalization & Modern Infrastructure
Hybrid teaching is the norm, but funding is often still project-based.
Continuation of the Higher Education Alliance for Digitalization in Schleswig-Holstein
Transitioning project funding into long-term financing for IT infrastructure and digital learning platforms.
Learning Space Guarantee
Expansion of modern individual and group workstations with reliable Wi-Fi coverage at all locations, even outside library hours.
Securing basic funding from the state
We call for a legally binding funding guarantee from the state government. Universities must be provided with sufficient resources to enable them to fulfill their core missions in teaching and research without being constantly dependent on temporary third-party funding or special programs.
Improving the Quality of Education Through Innovation
Digitalization must be leveraged to measurably improve the quality of teaching. This includes promoting hybrid teaching formats, enhancing staff training in teaching methods, and providing interactive learning resources to ensure long-term academic success.
6. Student-Friendly Mobility
Mobility is essential for participating in higher education, especially in a state as geographically spread out as Schleswig-Holstein.
Family-friendly bring-your-own policy
Align the rules for bringing children along with those of Deutsche Bahn for long-distance travel. Children up to and including age 14 should be allowed to travel free of charge when accompanied by a parent who is a student. This promotes the compatibility of studying and family life and eliminates the current disadvantage in regional travel.
Campaign to Increase Train Frequency
We call for a significant increase in the frequency of bus and train service, particularly on commuter routes to university campuses (e.g., Kiel–Lübeck, Flensburg–Kiel, Flensburg–Hamburg) as well as during the evening hours and on weekends. A student’s academic career should not be derailed by a lack of late-night connections.
Consistent expansion of the rail network
The reactivation of decommissioned rail lines and the expansion of key routes to two tracks must be prioritized in order to establish rail as the true backbone of student mobility and to better connect university campuses in rural areas.
Coordination of public transportation and school schedules
Regional bus schedules need to be better aligned with university class times to avoid long wait times and unnecessary transfers.
Options for the semester pass
We call for the introduction of an opt-out option or choice for students. Since Schleswig-Holstein is a large state with some areas lacking adequate public transportation, transportation costs should not become an unavoidable burden when there are no adequate local options available.
7. True Internationalization & Administrative Culture
If Schleswig-Holstein wants to hold its own in the global competition for talent, a welcoming culture must also take root within university administration.
English as an additional official language
Colleges and universities that offer international degree programs and admit international students must designate English as a second official language for administrative purposes.
Recognition of English-language documents
We call for the mandatory acceptance of original documents (e.g., transcripts, certificates, expert reports) provided they are written in English. The costly and time-consuming requirement for certified German translations of English-language documents must be eliminated.
Bilingualism of all documents
All legally relevant documents (examination regulations, official notices, admission documents), as well as internal communications and portals, must be available in both German and English as a standard.
Intercultural Training
Administrative staff must be supported through targeted professional development and language training to ensure that the advice they provide in English is legally sound and free from discrimination.
Safeguarding international mobility and ensuring legal clarity regarding official duties
Since the reinstatement of Section 3(2) of the Military Service Act (WPflG) on January 1, 2026, male students have found themselves in a legal gray area. A mere administrative regulation issued by the Ministry of Defense does not provide sufficient legal certainty for planning semesters abroad and research stays.
Legal suspension of the travel ban
We call on the state of Schleswig-Holstein to introduce, via the Bundesrat, a legislative initiative to repeal or permanently suspend the requirement for authorization of travel abroad (Section 3(2) of the WPflG) in peacetime. A “political promise” not to apply the regulation at this time is legally insufficient and incompatible with the principle of legal certainty in a constitutional state.
Guarantee of academic freedom
International mobility (e.g., Erasmus+, dual-degree programs) is a core component of modern life. It must not be subject to the general requirement of obtaining approval from military authorities. The state must ensure that student mobility is never restricted or delayed by military registration or approval requirements.
Prevention of structural inequality
The current regulation applies exclusively to male citizens, thereby creating inequality in access to international education. We call on the state government to oppose any form of “creeping conscription” that undermines the European right to free movement (Art. 21 TFEU).
Transparency Requirements for Higher Education Institutions
We call on university administrations in Schleswig-Holstein to take a clear stand against the military service modernization laws in their dealings with state and federal policymakers, insofar as these laws undermine the universities’ internationalization strategies by imposing bureaucratic barriers to travel abroad.
Fair Labor Practices & Collective Bargaining Agreements (TV Stud and TV-L)
High-quality teaching and research are only possible with secure and fairly paid jobs. Precarious employment conditions at universities must be consistently eliminated.
Introduction of a collective bargaining agreement for student employees (TV Stud)
We call on the state government to advocate, within the framework of the Collective Bargaining Association of German States (TdL), for a comprehensive collective bargaining agreement for student and research assistants. Student work is an integral part of university operations and must be covered by a collective bargaining agreement (including vacation entitlement, continued pay during sick leave, and transparent pay scales).
Extension of minimum contract terms
No more consecutive fixed-term contracts. We call for a statutory minimum term of at least 24 months for employment contracts of student and research staff in order to provide planning security for their personal lives and academic success.
Compliance with collective bargaining agreements and fair pay for all employee categories
The state must ensure that all university employees (technical staff, administrative staff, and mid-level academic staff) are paid in accordance with the TV-L collective bargaining agreement and that the real wage losses incurred during the past years of inflation are offset through appropriate adjustments and an increase in state subsidies.
Strengthen employee participation rights
Extending the rights of staff councils to student employees in order to ensure effective representation on an equal footing.
10. Support for students from non-academic backgrounds
Educational success in Schleswig-Holstein must not depend on a person’s background. We call for targeted support for “first-generation students” to make social mobility through education a reality.
Continuation and expansion of mentoring programs
The state must provide financial support for and promote programs that assist students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds from the time they enter college until they graduate. Experienced students and alumni should be encouraged to serve as role models.
Establishment of “First-Generation Service Centers”
Every university in Schleswig-Holstein must establish a central point of contact specifically tailored to the needs of students without an academic background (assistance with BAföG, finding scholarships, academic work, and networking).
Transparency in Scholarships
Launch of a nationwide information campaign on scholarship programs. Many students from non-academic families do not apply for scholarships because they mistakenly believe that these are reserved only for highly gifted students.
Recognizing diversity as a mark of quality
Higher education institutions must be required to incorporate social diversity into their mission statements and to raise faculty awareness of the specific challenges faced by first-time students.
11. Financial Assistance for New Students & Accessible Start to College
Financial barriers must not become a factor that excludes students even before they enroll. We call for comprehensive social safety nets from the application process through to the first BAföG payment.
Free application process
Elimination of application and processing fees for all prospective students. In particular, the submission of application materials and the certification of documents must be free of charge for applicants from low-income households.
State Study Start Assistance (SH)
Introduction of a one-time, non-repayable grant to help students get started. This grant is intended to cover expenses for security deposits, initial supplies, and educational materials before the first BAföG payment is received.
BAföG Advance Payment Guarantee
Introduction of a legal right to an immediate, lump-sum advance payment at the start of studies. No one should be driven into debt or face financial hardship during the first few months of their studies due to bureaucratic processing times.
12. Health Equity and Destigmatization (Mental Health and Neurodiversity)
A college education should not be derailed by inadequate medical care or concerns about one’s professional future. We call for a university that actively integrates people with diverse health conditions and support needs.
Expansion of diagnostic and treatment capabilities for adults
We call for an expansion of diagnostic and treatment capacity for adults. Waiting times ranging from several months to over a year are unacceptable. At the same time, financial barriers often arise because diagnostic procedures related to neurodiversity are frequently not fully covered by health insurance. As a result, access to support is distributed unequally across different socioeconomic groups.
Awareness Campaign for Educators
Mandatory professional development training for teachers on various learning and teaching methods, as well as mental health challenges. The goal is to proactively implement measures to address educational disparities without bureaucratic hurdles.
Legal certainty regarding civil service appointment
The state of Schleswig-Holstein should make it clear that pre-existing medical conditions or psychotherapy are not automatic grounds for exclusion. What matters is the individual’s current and projected ability to perform their duties.
Low-threshold access to therapy on campus
A massive expansion of the Student Services SH’s psychological counseling centers (PBA). These centers must serve as the first point of contact to immediately support students in times of crisis, before they face months-long waiting lists in the regular healthcare system.