{{for|the mathematics journals|AStA Advances in Statistical Analysis|AStA Wirtschafts- und Sozialstatistisches Archiv}} {{Expand German}} {{Infobox organization | name = Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss | abbreviation = AStA | full_name = General Students' Committee | native_name = Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss | native_name_lang = de | image = | caption = Typical AStA offices represent the hub of student self-governance. | formation = | type = Student government, Executive Body | status = | purpose = Student representation, social and political activism | region_served = Germany | services = Legal advice, BAföG counseling, social services, cultural events | main_organ = Student Parliament (StuPa) | budget = | website = }} The '''General Students' Committee''' ({{langx|de|Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss}}) or '''AStA''', is the acting executive board and the external representing agency of the (constituted) student body at universities in most German states. It is therefore considered the student government and student representative organization.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 January 2006 |last=Theile |first=Merlind |title= Du bist Asta |url=https://www.spiegel.de/lebenundlernen/uni/rudis-reste-rampe-du-bist-asta-a-388678.html |language=de |website=Spiegel Panorama |access-date=27 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=28 November 2001 |last=Stegers |first=Fiete |title= Mit starken Bildern gegen die Dauermisere |url=https://www.spiegel.de/lebenundlernen/uni/asta-kampagne-mit-starken-bildern-gegen-die-dauermisere-a-169995.html |language=de |website=Spiegel Panorama |access-date=27 June 2025}}</ref> The AStA fulfills a similar function as the Students' Union at a British university.
[[File:UdS GebA5 2.jpg|thumb|The AStA headquarters at Saarland University]] ==Committee== AStA committees are usually elected by the student parliament and consist of one or more chairpersons as well as a set of consultants from different fields of study.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asta-marburg.de/allgemeine-informationen/ueber-uns/|title= Über uns|access-date=27 June 2025|publisher=asta-marburg.de}}</ref> Sometimes AStA includes so called Autonome Referate (Autonomous consultants) representing minorities which are elected by the members of their peer groups (not by student parliament).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://astahhu.de/autonome-referate/|language=de|title= Autonome Referate|access-date=27 June 2025|publisher=astahhu.de}}</ref>
==See also== * Student voice
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Asta}}
Category:Students' unions in Germany
{{Edu-org-stub}}