The University of Mannheim offers many opportunities for accredited initiatives. Most importantly, the free use of rooms outside of classes. But what exactly has to be done to be accredited as an initiative at the university? We show yo how to do it

First, check whether your initiative meets the requirements for accreditation. To get accredited, you must meet the following requirements:

• The initiative itself or the umbrella organisation is recognised by the tax office as a non-profit organisation.
• The purpose and activity are in accordance with our free, democratic basic order.
• There must be no discrimination in the admission of members.
• Religious or political initiatives cannot be accredited.
• The purpose of the initiative is related to the tasks of the University of Mannheim.
• In the opinion of the Rectorate, the activity is suitable for promoting the individual development of students and the reputation of the University of Mannheim.
• The initiative has at least 7 enrolled students as full members. The majority of the members are enrolled students of the University of Mannheim.
• If the initiative is dissolved, the assets will go to the University of Mannheim or another accredited initiative.
• The initiative commits to comply with the guidelines for the accreditation of student initiatives.

The Rectorate has described these in detail in the “Guidelines for the Accreditation of Student Initiatives” of 14.09.2016.

After you have successfully checked the requirements, the application for accreditation will be submitted. This application must first be submitted to the General Students’ Committee (AStA) Send all documents in writing to the AStA’s secretary’s office. The application must enclose:

• the names, addresses, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of all board members or other representatives.
• Proof that the above-mentioned requirements are met.
• the statutes (mandatory) and the fee regulations (if available)
• Description of the goals and activities of the initiative.
• a list of all donations made in the last 12 months, including the names and amounts of the donors*, if they exceed 300€.

After receipt of the application, the General Students’ Committee (AStA) chairpersons will now check in advance whether all requirements for accreditation have been met and whether all documents are complete. The AStA then evaluates the aims and objectives of the initiative and submits the application with a written statement to the Rectorate.

Please note that the work in the AStA is completely voluntary and therefore it may take a few weeks until your application is processed.

After the AStA has sent the application and the statement to the Rectorate, the Rectorate will consider the application. Here, the requirements are checked again and the statement of the AStA is included in the decision. As soon as the Rectorate has made a decision, you will be informed.

Congratulations! With successful accreditation you can now enjoy all the privileges of the accredited initiatives. You are now also part of the AStA Initiative Distribution List and can take part in the AStA Initiative’s market during the first semester week.

However, the status of your accreditation must be updated every semester. Therefore, there are a few things to do on an ongoing basis.

Each accredited initiative needs to be re-accredited by the Rectorate every semester. For this to be successful, the following requirements must be met:

• the events of the initiative must be open to all students.
• A semester report must be sent to the AStA at least 4 weeks before the end of the respective semester. This includes:
  • the names, addresses, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of all board members or other representatives of the initiative
  • a chronological list of the main activities of the initiative
  • a complete list of all income from the initiative in the last semester. For individual donation exceeding 300€, the name and amount of the donors must be stated.
  • the main blocks of expenditure
• The rectorate shall be notified without delay of any amendments to the statutes or to the contribution oder
• Every initiative is obliged to keep proper accounts. The annual financial statement shall be attached to the semi-annual report at the end of the financial year (as a rule to the report of the fall semester, if financial year = calendar year).
• The AStA comments on the semester reports and sends them to the Rectorate.

The Rectorate then reviews the documents again and decides on re-accreditation. The rule is: if you don’t hear from the rectorate, everything is alright. If you do not receive accreditation, you will be contacted.

Approval of flyers at the University of Mannheim:

Service und Marketing GmbH

Arabella Cichuttek

cichuttek[at]service.uni-mannheim.de

Tel.: 0621/181-3332

Room booking

Monika Klein and Patrick Weisenburger (Service und Marketing GmbH)
Tel.: 0621/181-1117
raumbuchung[at]service.uni-mannheim.de

Initiative representative of the rectorate:

Daniel Lehnert
Tel.: 0621/181-3392
lehnert[at]qm.uni-mannheim.de

Secretary’s office of the General Students’ Committee (AStA)

(Monday to Thursday 9 a.m to 1 p.m)
Tel.: 0621/181-3373
asta[at]uni-mannheim.de

Campusreferent (zuständig für Initiativen):

Clemens Buhr
campus[at]asta-uni-mannheim.de

Next initiative meeting:

TBA
B6, 30-32 Bauteil E-F, Raum 008.2

Deadlines for submission of certificates of voluntary work:

Fall semester: 31 December

Spring semester 30 June

Deadlines for the submission of semester reports:

Fall semester 2018: 31.01.2019

Spring semester 2019: 31.07.2019

Fall semester 2019: 31.01.2020

Spring semester 2020: 31.07.2020

Fall semester 2020: 31.01.2021

Active members of accredited initiatives have the opportunity to have their voluntary commitment certified by the university. The corresponding application form is available in the download area. The completed and signed application form is then handed in at the secretary’s office of the AStA. The AStA passes it on to the Rectorate of the University.. The completed certificates of honorary office can then be collected from the Express-Service of the University in L1,1. The processing time takes at least two weeks.