North Rhine‑Westphalia student services reform faces criticism over funding and governance

The ruling coalition of the CDU and the Greens in North Rhine‑Westphalia presented amendments to the Student Services Act aimed at reshaping the governance of the state's student welfare organisations. The draft would increase the state ministry’s influence over autonomous student bodies, allowing external members to dominate administrative boards and permitting the ministry to override student votes.

LAT NRW, representing roughly 700,000 students, argues the changes ignore chronic under‑financing: state subsidies to student services have risen only about 19 % over the past three decades, while student contributions have surged 454 %. Critics warn the reforms could lead to cuts in cafeteria meals and dormitory places, further raising the financial burden on students. They call for a substantial increase in state funding rather than merely altering decision‑making structures.