Dispute over Student Theater: Students lose free tickets!

Dispute over Student Theater: Students lose free tickets!

students from the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz faces an unexpected change in their relationship with the State Theater. So far, they have been able to purchase free remaining tickets for one euro per semester, but this service will no longer be offered. The background of the dispute between the State Theater and the General Student Committee (AStA) comprises a new gastro flat rate of seven euros, which was opened to all tickets. This flat rate includes drinks, snacks, a program booklet and the use of the wardrobe and was considered problematic for the traditional flat rate model, reports SWR

The AStA suggested that the students should pay two euros per semester from now on. A new contract from 2023 was sent to the AStA, but remained unattended. This led to further tensions because the AStA argues that no new contract was decided on two euros and the old one was still valid. Director Markus Müller emphasized that the theater has been waiting for additional payments from the ASTA for a year and a half, which led to the termination of the existing contract. As long as the discrepancies are not clarified, the students no longer have access to the free theater visits.

elections in the student parliament

The situation could change soon because a new student parliament is chosen. This could possibly pave the way for a solution in the conflict between the theater and the AStA. While the students of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz are confronted with this problem, the students from the Mainz University of Applied Sciences and the Mainz Catholic University continue to pay two euros per semester and can be found free of charge to the State Theater.

The entire situation throws a shadow on long -term relationships between the educational institutions and cultural institutions. The students who have benefited from the reduced tickets in the past are disappointed by these changes, and it remains to be seen whether the dialogue between the AStA and the State Theater can lead to an amicable agreement.

For students who are looking for financial support, the database of the DaAd could be helpful. It provides information on numerous scholarship options to promote foreign students during their studies. In addition, various foundations, such as the Otto Benecke Stiftung e.V. and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, are involved in supporting integration and social acceptance.

Overall, the university community is in a field of tension between the cultural requirements and the needs of the students, while the search for new solutions and approaches is becoming more important.