All our awareness concepts are dynamic documents. We aim to continuously improve and develop our awareness concepts through (new) experiences, feedback, training, changing capacities and reflection. If you have any suggestions or ideas for improvement, please contact us!

The Geography Student Council is committed to the free democratic principles based on the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany. This results in the obligation not to tolerate actions and statements such as insults, racism, any kind of violence as well as discrimination based on gender, origin, religion, sexual orientation, appearance, disabilities and handicaps as well as ideology (as long as this does not contradict the free democratic basic order and/or is to be classified as extremist) and to actively take a stand against them.

All events must be organized in a non-discriminatory and barrier-sensitive manner in order to ensure inclusive participation. If there are needs that are not taken into account in the planning, we ask participants to let us know at any time. Any form of discrimination, abusive behavior, violence and bullying will result in exclusion from the event.

The Geography Student Council adopted the following awareness concepts on 15/11/2022:

Awareness Concept for parties/events

The concept should be applied at events of the Geography Student Council (e.g. the Geo-Party) as well as at events in cooperation with other Student Councils.

Before the party

Already at the time of the invitation to the event, the principles of the Geography Student Council are pointed out on all channels through which the event is also communicated (e.g. email, WhatsApp, Instagram, website, posters). At least in an abbreviated way, these should appear as text. For example:

“The event is organized in a non-discriminatory and barrier-sensitive manner to ensure inclusive participation. If there are needs that are not considered in the planning, please feel free to point them out to us at any time. Any form of discrimination, assaultive behavior and violence will lead to exclusion from the event.”

The responsible organizers are obliged to find awareness representatives for the planned event. Care should be taken to ensure that at least two people of different genders take on this role at all times throughout the event. It is fine if a team of awareness officers is formed and the tasks are taken on in shifts.

In advance, it should be clarified with the organizer if a safe(r) space is available. If not, the environment should be considered and a retreat outside the club should be found.

Furthermore, posters should be put up that draw attention to Awareness, the Awareness Team and possible Safe(r) Spaces. The posters also draw attention to the principles of the student Council and also include important telephone numbers and the safe word “Luisa”.

It is also pointed out that people who cannot afford to attend for financial reasons will be supported by the student council (see concept for financial support for Student Council events).

During the party

Awareness officers are to be recognized by wearing a student council t-shirt/sweater. Accordingly, all other student council members should not wear a student council t-shirt/sweater. However, if the Organizational and A-Team decides to identify the Awareness Officers in another way, this is also possible.

Awareness Officers must remain sober and alert during their period of responsibility.

It would be useful to maintain good contact with the bouncers. For example, they could be asked from time to time during the evening if everything is okay.

The rest of the student council members present should remain as vigilant as possible despite the presence of awareness officers and, if necessary, intervene in critical situations or call in other people (awareness officers/organizers) to resolve the situation.

After the event

After the ride, the event should be evaluated by the participants. The goal is to give space to unnoticed and unseen perspectives in order to continuously improve the event. It should be determined whether people felt comfortable at the event, what they liked about it and what they would like to see improved.
It is pointed out (again) that people who felt unfairly treated by members of the student council can contact the awareness email.

Awareness concept for first-year and master trips

Before the trip

Information for students

Information for students Even in the invitation to the trip, the principles of the Geography Student Council are pointed out on all channels used to communicate the event (e.g., email, WhatsApp, Instagram, website, posters). At a minimum, these principles should appear in the text as follows:

“The event is organized with sensitivity to discrimination and barriers to ensure inclusive participation. If needs arise that have not been considered in the planning, we always ask you to let us know. Any form of discrimination, invasive behavior, and violence will result in exclusion from the event.”

It should also be noted that Safe(r) Spaces will be offered on the trip for all people who need them.

Furthermore, it is highlighted that individuals who cannot afford to participate due to financial reasons will be supported by the Student Council (see concept for financial support of the Student Council).

When inviting them to the trip, students are also informed about the drinks provided by the Student Council: beer, alcoholic alternatives, and non-alcoholic beverages. The organizing team may indicate that students can bring their own drinks, like wine. However, the Student Council emphasizes moderation in alcohol consumption.

The email will also include the phone number of the “Waldjugendcamp” so that students can contact the Student Council in emergencies during the journey or rally. Accordingly, the phone must always be within reach of a member of the Student Council.

During registration for the trip, participants have the opportunity to specify their pronouns (in a free field), which will then also be printed on the buttons. Additionally, there’s also an option to express the need for a Safe(r) Space. Organization Team The organizing team must ensure that in addition to the university bus, a car is available for emergencies.

Organization team

The organization team must ensure that a car is available for emergencies in addition to the university bus.

On the trip

Plenary and general behavior 

Once all students have arrived at the “Waldjugendcamp”, there is a plenary session that all members of the Student Council and students must attend. In this plenary, the awareness team and its function are introduced. Ideally, there should always be at least two representatives of different genders available. These representatives should remain sober and approachable. However, all other members of the Student Council must also take responsibility and stay vigilant. For each house in the camp, there are two representatives from the Student Council who also serve as contacts for students. In general, members of the Student Council should support each other and not leave a fellow member alone with a problem.

The principles of the Student Council are clearly communicated again in the plenary. A violation of these principles results in exclusion from the event. It’s communicated that individuals who feel treated unfairly by members of the Student Council can address their concerns to the awareness email after the trip.

Students are also reminded on the trip, possibly several times, that responsible alcohol consumption is desired and that they should look out for each other. Forced alcohol consumption is not tolerated. If members of the Student Council notice that someone is not feeling well due to alcohol, they should be addressed directly, and alcohol consumption should be stopped. Strong alcoholic beverages will not be handed out.

Design of the trip 

To ensure a mix among the students, there should be various group configurations for cabin and rally group distribution. To get to know each other better, introductory games should be conducted on Friday. There could also be a group activity on Saturday evening (e.g., campfire with stick bread, marshmallows).

A rally is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, where students can explore the surrounding area on their own responsibility and playfully strengthen group dynamics. Here, the members of the Student Council also advocate for responsible alcohol consumption and mutual consideration (for more information, see the awareness concept for the first year rally).

Additionally, posters should be put up similar to the Geo-Party ones pointing to awareness and the awareness team. These should especially be found in retreat places like restrooms.

After the trip

After the trip, care should be taken during the photo evening about which photos or videos are shown. Members of the awareness team can assess which ones can be shown to the large group and which cannot.

After the trip, the event should be evaluated by the participants. The goal is to give unnoticed and unseen perspectives space to continuously improve the event. It should be determined whether people felt comfortable at the event, what they liked, and what suggestions for improvement exist.

It is (again) emphasized that individuals who feel they have been treated unfairly by members of the Student Council can reach out to the awareness email.

Awareness concept for the first year rally

Before the rally

Already at the time of the invitation to the rally, the principles of the Geography Department will be pointed out on all channels through which the event is also communicated (e.g. email, WhatsApp, Instagram, website, posters). At least in an abbreviated way, these should appear as text. For example:

“The event is organized in a non-discriminatory and barrier-sensitive manner to ensure inclusive participation. If there are needs that are not considered in the planning, please feel free to point them out to us at any time. Any form of discrimination, assaultive behavior or violence will result in exclusion from the event.”

When inviting students to the rally, they will be informed which drinks will be provided by the student council: Beer and soft drinks.

At the beginning of the rally there is a speech from the student council about responsible alcohol consumption, and participants are also clearly informed about the principles of the student council. Violation of these principles will lead to exclusion from the event. It is communicated that people who feel they have been treated unfairly by student council members can contact the awareness email after the ride. Awareness representatives of the student council will be introduced and the phone number and function of the student council cell phone will be announced.

During the rally

Students will move from station to station without supervision. If parts of a rally group feel uncomfortable, student council members are encouraged to intervene in the situation. If a student council member notices that a person is not feeling well due to alcohol, he/she should be addressed directly and the consumption of alcohol should be stopped. High-proof drinks will not be given out of the hand.

Accessibility

Throughout the duration of the Freshman Rally, the Student Council cell phone will be available for any emergencies, questions, or problems. The person who manages the cell phone on that day is familiar with the awareness concept and ideally part of the awareness team.

At each station there is at least one additional person who is familiar with the awareness concept and can act as a contact person.

Alcohol consumption

Beer and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided by the student council. Participants have full freedom of choice in the selection of beverages. High-proof drinks will be avoided as far as possible by the student council, but can be brought by the participants themselves. The student council is not responsible for excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. In case of excessive alcohol consumption, no further alcohol should be served.

After the event

After the trip, the event should be evaluated by the participants. The goal is to give space to unnoticed and unseen perspectives so that the event can be continuously improved. It should be determined whether people felt comfortable at the event, what they liked about it and what they would like to see improved.

It is pointed out (again) that people who felt unfairly treated by members of the student council can contact the awareness email.