Studentenverbindung

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A Studentenverbindung (the umbrella term that includes the Burschenschaften, Landsmannschaften, Corps, Turnerschaften, Sängerschaften, Catholic Corporations and Ferialverbindungen) is a German student corporation similar to fraternities in the US or Canada.

1 Organization
2 History
3 Tradition
4 The most common kinds of Studentenverbindungen
5 Are corporations racist, nationalist, chauvinist?
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Organization

A corporation in Germany, Austria, Switzerland or elsewhere in Europe consists of the active students, who study any academic subject at a university, and the already graduated Alte Herren (Elder Gentlemen or alumni) /Hohe Damen (High Ladies) that have once been active in the corporation. Alte Herren and Hohe Damen are also called Philister. The active students usually reside in the corporation house, some kind of small dorm for the members of the corporation which also has common rooms for festivities. One of the many benefits of joining a corporation is the especially low pricing of the often noble rooms. Some argue that corporations actively try to get new members through these low-priced rooms which they then socialize to their traditions.

The corporation is mostly financed by the Alte Herren, who also take care of the students' career -- they help them in their subjects of study and in other areas of life, up to organizing good jobs and possibilities for the younger students. This networking is also seen as problematic by other students and most students' unions. In turn, the active students when becoming Alte Herren finance and help the then-actives.

Corporations are organized in umbrella organisations; for example there is the Wingolfsbund (WB), the Cartellverband der katholischen deutschen Studentenverbindungen (CV), the Kartellverband Katholischer Studentenvereine (KV), Weinheimer Senioren-Convent (WSC), the Süddeutsche Kartell (SK), the Coburger Convent (CC), the Deutsche Burschenschaft (DB), the Verband der Vereine Deutscher Studenten (VVDSt) or the Kösener Senioren-Convents-Verband (KSCV).

[edit] History

Most of the current corporations originate in the early 19th century, as does their tradition. This includes ideals of freedom, democracy and nationalism as well in some parts a tendency towards conservatism. Many early representatives of the liberal or socialist movement in the German countries where corporation members. Beer, commercium songs and academic fencing also play a big role in many corporations. Prominent items in corporations' tradition is the Wartburg festival in 1817 (see Vormärz era) and the Hambach Fest. During the early 20th century many Burschenschaften expelled their Jewish members.

However, despite the enormous pressure brought to bear on the Studentenverbindungen in the years following the Nazi seizure of power (1933), many resolutely refused to expel Jewish members since to have done so would have been inimical to their founding ideals, and the values they continue to extol today.

Catholic corporations and other Christian corporations, originating from the mid of the 19th century, have been founded as a countermovement to Burschenschaften and Corps. They strictly refuse academic fencing as unethical. Their principles are (Lat.) religio, scientia and amicitia (catholic corporations) or other principles like Wingolfsbund's (Gr.) "Δί ένός πάντα" - "Di henos panta!" (all through christ).

[edit] Tradition

One part of the tradition is the academic fencing, which is a ritualized duel, but without the possibility for anyone to win. Unlike earlier times nowadays the chance of light injuries is smaller however still common. Typical injuries include facial scars. Fatal or serious injuries are nearly impossible. The fencing is seen as a ritual of fighting for the corporation and for their ideals.

Many student societies do not permit their members to fence though. Catholic and other Christian fraternities for instance, have been founded to antagonize academic fencing. However, they share some part of other formal traditions of the Corps and Burschenschaften.

The traditional symbols (couleur) corporation members wear -coloured caps and ribbons- are seldom seen today at universities.

[edit] The most common kinds of Studentenverbindungen

Despite a wide variety of Studentenverbindungen, certain kinds are prevalent; the most common types are:

type of corporation	characteristics	umbrella organisation(s)	number of corp.
Catholic corporation (wearing Couleur)	wc, nf	CV, RKDB, ÖCV, TCV	200
Corps	wc, pf	KSCV, WSC	161
Burschenschaft	wc, pf/fo	DB, DBÖ, CDC, NeueDB	158
Catholic corporation (not wearing Couleur)	nc, nf	KV, UV, ÖKV	126
Landsmannschaft	wc, pf	CC, ÖLTC	73
other christian Studentenverbindungen	mostly wc, nf	Schwarzburgbund, Wingolf, Wartburg-Kartell	61
Sängerschaft	wc/nc	Deutsche Sängerschaft (Weimarer CC)	20
academic gymnastic clubs	nc, nf	ATB, ATBÖ	41
Verein Deutscher Studenten	nc, nf	VVDSt - KV	40
Turnerschaft	wc, pf/fo	CC and MK	34

Caption: wc=wearing couleur; nc=not wearing couleur; pf=practicing academic fencing; fo=academic fencing optional; nf=not practicing academic fencing

[edit] Are corporations racist, nationalist, chauvinist?

Most of the corporations consist of men only, fewer corporations are mixed-gender, and there are some corporations which consist of women only. Some of the traditional orientations as well as misbehaviour of a minority of the corporations regularly leads to prejudices about all of them being right-wing and chauvinist. The vast majority of the corporations see themselves as liberal and tolerant, whereas others are described rightly as deutschtümelnd (nationalistic). This includes supporting the idea of a greater Germany including all German speaking territories, such as Austria or South Tyrol. For example, the party ranks of the right wing Freedom Party of Austria to a large proportion consist of members of such corporations (whereas members of Catholic corporations are strongly represented within the Austrian People's Party or the Christian Democratic Union of Germany).

Most corporations, like Corps, Landsmannschaften and Turnerschaften allow members with any skin colour, nationality and religion. Christian corporations may be restricted to a specific confession or Christian belief. Many Burschenschaften restrict membership to people from German heritage. Alleged connections between corporations and right-wing organisations are a constant issue for many (left-wing) students' unions and anti-fascist organisations in Germany and Austria.