Three questions for the student vice president

Merlin Tesch, a Master's student of Architecture, is the first student vice president of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg. He has been involved in the Departmental Committee, cultural association and campus life since 2018. As StuVize 25/26, he wants to represent students in university decisions, help shape the new office and continue to fund campus life.

3 questions for the new student vice president of BTU

Merlin Tesch is studying for a Master's degree in Architecture at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg and will be part of the BTU executive committee as the first student vice president (StuVize) from this winter semester. Elected for one year, he will represent the student body in all key university decisions during the 25/26 legislative period.

What BTU "CV" do you have?

I've been at BTU since winter semester 18/19. I enrolled here for my Bachelor's degree in Architecture straight after graduating from high school, submitted my Bachelor's thesis in 2022 and then started the corresponding Master's programme. Since my second semester of my Bachelor's degree, I have also been active on and around campus alongside my studies, first in the Faschschaftsrat Architecture, where I served on almost all departments including the executive committee until 2023. In 2023, I orientated myself towards student subculture by founding the student association "Lehmbau.eV.". We've been organising parties, concerts, art and culture on campus for two years now.

What was your motivation for the position?

The advert for the position was very exciting for me. In the Departmental Committee, you stand up for the interests of a single student body. In Lehmbau, we serve the "Culture" column. In this respect, I was delighted to have the opportunity to represent all students and their concerns after all this time and to expand my "bubble". I've already had many great years as a student and it's a great opportunity to give something back to the student body and learn a lot of new things myself at the same time.

What topics are at the top of your agenda?

First and foremost, of course, it's important to find out what the work as StuVize actually looks like. The position is new at BTU and therefore needs to be shaped and defined beyond the paperwork. Apart from that, I would like to try to continue to fund campus life and make life as easy as possible for volunteers. In my opinion, the campus is a place where people can and should not only learn but also live.

Background

The Student Vice-Presidency forms the communication channel between the university's executive committee and the student self-administration. This means that the student body is involved in all key decisions at the university. Tasks and main topics include

  • Communication link between the student self-administration committees and the Executive Committee of the University
  • regular and active participation in meetings and discussions within the university's executive committee, academic committees and student self-administration
  • communicate new developments between the student self-administration and the university committees
  • contribute student perspectives to the university's executive committee and participate in decisions on university development, evaluation of teaching and research, study and examination regulations
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