Recognition process

First, find out if there is already an association with the same or a very similar purpose at UZH where you could contribute your ideas. Is an idea or initiative not yet represented and you would therefore like to found a new student organization? The following points should be considered:

• Look for fellow students who would like to form the association with you, because according to Swiss law, a newly founded association needs at least two members.
• Formulate together an association purpose and the statutes. Here you can find model articles (PDF, 64 KB) for student organizations.
• If you wish to have your organization recognized at UZH, please make sure you meet the criteria set out in the Reglement zur Anerkennung studentischer Organisationen an der Universität Zürich.
• Have the statutes confirmed at a founding meeting and record it.

Do you need support in the startup process or do you have further questions? The Impulsfabrik of VSUZH will be happy to help. It supports and guides new student project ideas and student organizations through the startup process. The Impulsfabrik also supports individuals and existing student organizations (e.g., with advice on rooms, promotional channels, financial resources, recruiting new members and organizational development). Schedule an appointment 

Organizations that pursue a unique project idea and meet the recognition criteria for student organizations may be provisionally recognized by theImpulsfabrik of VSUZH through the issuance of patronage. Provisional recognition is reviewed annually and is generally valid for three years.

Newly founded student associations (Fachvereine) may be granted definitive recognition directly by Campus Culture with the consent of the relevant institute.

Provisionally recognized student organizations (patronages) that meet the recognition criteria may apply to the Campus Culture Department for definitive recognition as a student organization after three years. The application must be submitted to Campus Culture within two months of the expiration of the three-year period of provisional recognition.

The following documents must be attached to an application:

• brief description of the association's motivation and purpose
• statutes of the association with signatures of the board of directors
• founding protocol of the association
• current list of board members
• an overview of past activities of the organization

Student organizations at UZH have the following rights:

• Listing on the UZH Website
• Use of rooms at UZH
• Right to apply for various advertising opportunities on campus
• Right to apply for financial support for events from Campus Culture. To do so, a request for support, including a budget, must be submitted to Campus Culture in advance of the event in question: studentisches@campuskultur.uzh.ch
• Definitively recognized student organizations may also refer to themselves as “organization at the University of Zurich” (in accordance with UniO § 27 Abs. 2).

Further information is also available in the Impulsfabrik guide. (PDF, 4 MB)

Student organizations have the following responsibilities:

• Annual submission of the current list of board members and the annual report
• Submission of the statutes following any amendment to the statutes 

These documents must be submitted to Campus Culture to studentisches@campuskultur.uzh.ch  without being asked.

If these requirements are not fulfilled, recognition may be withdrawn from student organizations.