Schweizerischer Studentenverein
Encyclopedia
The Schweizerischer Studentenverein (Swiss Student's Society, abbreviation SSS; French: Société des Etudiants Suisses) is a society of colour bearing students of both genders and at the same time a federation of student corporations
which are called sections. Its members are students and former students of high schools, universities and universities of applied sciences
in Switzerland
, Germany
, Austria
and Italy
. Formerly, sections also existed in Belgium
, France
and in the Czech Republic
. Its motto
is virtus, scientia, amicitia!
and since 1861 a red hat. The member corporations are free to chose any shade of red and the type of hat. The first four sections were founded in 1843: GV Zähringia (in Fribourg
), GV Suitia (in Schwyz
), AV Semper Fidelis (Lucerne
) and AV Helvetia Friburgensis (Freiburg im Breisgau).
There are not only sections in German-speaking
regions but also in French speaking Switzerland and in other countries. Originally, the SSS was a political movement of catholic-conservative students and therefore implicitly the antipode of the Schweizerischer Zofingerverein, which had a progressive-liberal political setting. The SSS intended to gather christian, conservative forces against liberalism and radicalism. Nevertheless, after the Sonderbund War of 1847 it were members of the SSS who contributed to Switzerlands unity.
The SSS always meant to be a society of politically active members. Nearly all members of the Swiss Federal Council
of the CVP
were members of the SSS. This orientation to catholic conservatism diminished more and more since 1970. Officially, the SSS is no longer affiliated to the CVP
and nowadays open to other political parties.
In 1873, during the time of the Kulturkampf
, the SSS became a society limited to catholics
. It was only in 1977 that this principle was changed to "christian". Consequently, the SSS is now also open to protestants again. Since 1968 women are allowed to join the society, too.
The SSS has a friendship agreement with the CV
and the OCV. It is a member of the EKV.
The SSS was founded as a central society, not as a fusion of individual corporations which is why their members are directly members of the federation as well, including the right to vote. The supreme organ of the SSS is its General Assembly (consisting of all active members) which is held annually at the so called Zentralfest ("central festival"), the biggest festival of colour-bearing students in Europe.
The General Assembly elects the five members of the Central Comitee (CC), including the Central President (CP), the Central Actuary (CA), the Vice President (VCP), the ombudsman of the universities of applied science (FHCC) and the ombudsman of the high schools. The members are elected for one year; reelection is possible but not frequent. There are several permanent and temporary commissions to the support of the CC. The veterans are federated in the Altherrenbund (AHB), which has an own comitee. The AHB and the CC are united in the Council of the SSS. Each member of the CC and the AHB has one vote - however, in case of equality of votes, the CC (as the comitee of the students) prevails.
Corporation (university)
Corporation refers to different kinds of student organizations worldwide.Generally, universities in the various European countries have student organizations called corporations. The name is derived from the Latin corporatio meaning a body or group...
which are called sections. Its members are students and former students of high schools, universities and universities of applied sciences
Hochschule
Hochschule is a German term with two meanings.The literal meaning of the word Hochschule is “high school” which is not appropriate as a translation.- Generic term :...
in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. Formerly, sections also existed in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. Its motto
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
is virtus, scientia, amicitia!
History
The SSS was founded on August 31, 1841 as the federation of the catholic-conservative, colour-bearing and non-duelling corporations of Switzerland. Its insignia are since 1851 a red-white-green ribbonRibbon
A ribbon or riband is a thin band of material, typically cloth but also plastic or sometimes metal, used primarily for binding and tying. Cloth ribbons, most commonly silk, are often used in connection with clothing, but are also applied for innumerable useful, ornamental and symbolic purposes...
and since 1861 a red hat. The member corporations are free to chose any shade of red and the type of hat. The first four sections were founded in 1843: GV Zähringia (in Fribourg
Fribourg
Fribourg is the capital of the Swiss canton of Fribourg and the district of Sarine. It is located on both sides of the river Saane/Sarine, on the Swiss plateau, and is an important economic, administrative and educational center on the cultural border between German and French Switzerland...
), GV Suitia (in Schwyz
Schwyz
The town of is the capital of the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.The Federal Charter of 1291 or Bundesbrief, the charter that eventually led to the foundation of Switzerland, can be seen at the Bundesbriefmuseum.-History of the toponym:...
), AV Semper Fidelis (Lucerne
Lucerne
Lucerne is a city in north-central Switzerland, in the German-speaking portion of that country. Lucerne is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne and the capital of the district of the same name. With a population of about 76,200 people, Lucerne is the most populous city in Central Switzerland, and...
) and AV Helvetia Friburgensis (Freiburg im Breisgau).
There are not only sections in German-speaking
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
regions but also in French speaking Switzerland and in other countries. Originally, the SSS was a political movement of catholic-conservative students and therefore implicitly the antipode of the Schweizerischer Zofingerverein, which had a progressive-liberal political setting. The SSS intended to gather christian, conservative forces against liberalism and radicalism. Nevertheless, after the Sonderbund War of 1847 it were members of the SSS who contributed to Switzerlands unity.
The SSS always meant to be a society of politically active members. Nearly all members of the Swiss Federal Council
Swiss Federal Council
The Federal Council is the seven-member executive council which constitutes the federal government of Switzerland and serves as the Swiss collective head of state....
of the CVP
Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland
The Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland is a Christian democratic political party in Switzerland. It is the fourth-largest party in the National Council, with 31 seats, and the largest in the Council of States, with 15 seats. It has one seat, that of Doris Leuthard, on the Swiss...
were members of the SSS. This orientation to catholic conservatism diminished more and more since 1970. Officially, the SSS is no longer affiliated to the CVP
Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland
The Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland is a Christian democratic political party in Switzerland. It is the fourth-largest party in the National Council, with 31 seats, and the largest in the Council of States, with 15 seats. It has one seat, that of Doris Leuthard, on the Swiss...
and nowadays open to other political parties.
In 1873, during the time of the Kulturkampf
Kulturkampf
The German term refers to German policies in relation to secularity and the influence of the Roman Catholic Church, enacted from 1871 to 1878 by the Prime Minister of Prussia, Otto von Bismarck. The Kulturkampf did not extend to the other German states such as Bavaria...
, the SSS became a society limited to catholics
Roman Catholicism in Switzerland
Roman Catholicism in Switzerland, organised in the six dioceses and two territorial abbeys, comprises approximately 3 million Catholics, about 42% of the Swiss population.The dioceses are the bishoprics of*Basel, currently headed by Bishop Felix Gmür...
. It was only in 1977 that this principle was changed to "christian". Consequently, the SSS is now also open to protestants again. Since 1968 women are allowed to join the society, too.
The SSS has a friendship agreement with the CV
Cartellverband der katholischen deutschen Studentenverbindungen
The Cartellverband der katholischen deutschen Studentenverbindungen or Cartellverband is a German umbrella organization of Catholic male student fraternities .-Foundation:...
and the OCV. It is a member of the EKV.
Organisation
As of today, the SSS has 69 sections in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Italy. This makes it the biggest society of colour-bearing students in Switzerland. It has 1100 active members and 7500 veterans.The SSS was founded as a central society, not as a fusion of individual corporations which is why their members are directly members of the federation as well, including the right to vote. The supreme organ of the SSS is its General Assembly (consisting of all active members) which is held annually at the so called Zentralfest ("central festival"), the biggest festival of colour-bearing students in Europe.
The General Assembly elects the five members of the Central Comitee (CC), including the Central President (CP), the Central Actuary (CA), the Vice President (VCP), the ombudsman of the universities of applied science (FHCC) and the ombudsman of the high schools. The members are elected for one year; reelection is possible but not frequent. There are several permanent and temporary commissions to the support of the CC. The veterans are federated in the Altherrenbund (AHB), which has an own comitee. The AHB and the CC are united in the Council of the SSS. Each member of the CC and the AHB has one vote - however, in case of equality of votes, the CC (as the comitee of the students) prevails.
Member corporations
In total, there are at least 113 corporations who were at least temporarily member of the SSS.Sections with active and veteran members (59)
| Predicate | Name of the corporation | Style | Language | Membership status | Abbreviation | Country | Foundation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GV | Abbatia Wilensis Wil | G | d | m/w | AW | Schweiz | 1978 |
| SHE | Activitas Fribourg | I | f | m/w | AC | Schweiz | 1917 |
| SG | Agaunia Saint-Maurice | G | f | m/w | AG | Schweiz | 1859 |
| AKV | Alemannia Freiburg i. Ue. | A | d | m | AL | Schweiz | 1895 |
| GV | Angelomontana Engelberg | G | d | m/w | AM | Schweiz | 1907 |
| SG | Arvésia Genf | G | f | m | AR | Schweiz | 1946 |
| AV | Berchtoldia Bern | A | d | m/w | BE | Schweiz | 1917 |
| GV | Berovia Beromünster | G | d | m/w | BV | Schweiz | 1983 |
| AV | Bodania Sankt Gallen | A | d | m | BO | Schweiz | 1925 |
| GV | Brigensis Brig | G | d | m/w | BR | Schweiz | 1843 |
| AKV | Burgundia Bern | A | d | m | BU | Schweiz | 1865 |
| SAKV | Corona Sangallensis St. Gallen | G | d | m | CS | Schweiz | 1896 |
| GV | Corvina Einsiedeln | G | d | m/w | CO | Schweiz | 1848 |
| AV | Curiensis Chur | A | d | m | CU | Schweiz | 1848 |
| GV | Desertina Disentis | G | d | m/w | DE | Schweiz | 1990 |
| FHV | Die Gundoldinger Horw | I | d | m/w | GU | Schweiz | 1958 |
| FHV | Die Habsburger Brugg/Windisch | I | d | m | HA | Schweiz | 1966 |
| FHV | Die Nothensteiner St. Gallen | I | d | m | NO | Schweiz | 1984 |
| GV | Fidelitas Schaffhausen | G | d | m/w | ? | Schweiz | 2005 |
| AV | Froburger Basel | A | d | m/w | FB | Schweiz | 1939 |
| AV | Fryburgia AV Fryburgia AV Fryburgia is a fraternity or Studentenverbindung at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. Male students of all faculties are eligible to become members... Freiburg |
A | d | m | FR | Schweiz | 1918 |
| KB | Glanzenburger Zürich | A | d | m | GL | Schweiz | 1959 |
| AV | Goten Freiburg | A | d | m/w | GO | Schweiz | 1953 |
| AV | Helvetia Friburgensis Freiburg im Breisgau | A | d | m/w | HF | Deutschland | 1843 |
| AV | Helvetia Oenipontana Innsbruck | A | d | m/w | HO | Österreich | 1860 |
| AV | Helvetia Romana Rom | A | d | m/w | HR | Italien | 1850 |
| AV | Kybelia St. Gallen | A | d | w | KB | Schweiz | 1999 |
| AKV | Kyburger Zürich | A | d | m | KY | Schweiz | 1912 |
| SA | Lémania Lausanne | A | f | m/w | LE | Schweiz | 1891 |
| AV | Leonina Freiburg | A | d | m/w | LN | Schweiz | 1896 |
| RV | Markovia Wangen | G | d | m/w | MA | Schweiz | 1965 |
| GV | Monte Pacis Gossau | G | d | w | MP | Schweiz | 1998 |
| GV | Munatia Basel | G | d | m/w | MU | Schweiz | 1991 |
| AKV | Neu-Romania Freiburg | A | d | m | NR | Schweiz | 1938 |
| AV | Notkeriana St. Gallen | A | d | m/w | NK | Schweiz | 1990 |
| SG | Nuithonia Fribourg | G | f | m/w | NU | Schweiz | 1845 |
| AV | Orion Zürich | A | d | m/w | OR | Schweiz | 1964 |
| GV | Palatia Solodorensis Solothurn | G | d | m/w | ? | Schweiz | 1955 |
| GV | Penthesilea Appenzell | G | d | w | PT | Schweiz | 1993 |
| AKV | Rauracia Basel | A | d | m | RA | Schweiz | 1863 |
| CA | Rezia Freiburg | A | d | m/w | RE | Schweiz | 1939 |
| GV | Rotacher Appenzell | G | d | m | RO | Schweiz | 1941 |
| GV | Rusana Altdorf | G | d | m/w | RS | Schweiz | 1918 |
| SA | Salévia Genf | A | f | m | SL | Schweiz | 1876 |
| SA | Sancta Johanna Fribourg | A | f | m/w | SJ | Schweiz | 2003 |
| SA | Sarinia Fribourg | A | f | m/w | SA | Schweiz | 1895 |
| SAV | Seetalensis Hochdorf | A | d | m | SE | Schweiz | 1975 |
| AV | Semper Fidelis Luzern | A | d | m | SF | Schweiz | 1843 |
| AV | Staufer Freiburg i. Ue. | A | d | m/w | ST | Schweiz | 1937 |
| AV | Steinacher St. Gallen | A | d | m | SR | Schweiz | 1953 |
| GV | Struthonia Stans | G | d | m/w | SH | Schweiz | 1909 |
| GV | Subsilvania Sarnen | G | d | m/w | SB | Schweiz | 1860 |
| GV | Suitia Schwyz | G | d | m | SU | Schweiz | 1843 |
| GV | Surlacia Sursee | G | d | m/w | SA | Schweiz | 1991 |
| AV | Turicia A.V. Turicia AV Turicia is a color-bearing student society in Zürich. It was founded in 1860. It is a section of the Swiss Student Association and a member of the "Federation of Student Komment Societies"... Zürich |
A | d | m | TU TU Tu is the 2nd-person singular subject pronoun in Spanish, Italian, Lithuanian, Portuguese, French, Irish, Latvian, Romanian, Latin, and Hindustani and may also refer to:* Tuberculin Units, a measure of strength of tuberculin... |
Schweiz | 1860 |
| AV | Waldstättia Luzern | A | d | m/w | WA | Schweiz | 1891 |
| AV | Welfen Zürich | A | d | m/w | WE | Schweiz | 1921 |
| GV | Wikinger Immensee | G | d | m/w | WI | Schweiz | 1967 |
| GV | Zähringia Freiburg | G | d | m/w | ZÄ | Schweiz | 1843 |
Sections without active but with veteran members (20)
| Predicate | Name of the corporation | Style | Language | Membership status | Abbreviation | Country | Foundation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AV | Agorà Fribourg-Freiburg | A | d | m/w | AF | Schweiz | 1971 |
| SG | Ardevensia Sion | G | f | m/w | AR | Schweiz | 1988 |
| SG | Aster Fribourg-Freiburg | G | f | m/w | AS | Schweiz | 1967 |
| GV | Audacia Pfäffikon | G | d | m | AU | Schweiz | 1994 |
| FHV | Daltonia Muttenz | I | d | m | DA | Schweiz | 1976 |
| FHV | Die Ruithonen Burgdorf | I | d | m | RU | Schweiz | 1900 |
| SG | Greviria Bulle | G | f | m/w | GR | Schweiz | 1989 |
| AV | Helvetia Monacensis München | A | d | m | HM | Deutschland | 1844 |
| AV | Helvetia Lovaniensis Leuven/Louvain/Löwen) | A | d/f | m/w | HL | Belgien | 1872 |
| GV | Himeria Porrentruy | G | f | m/w | HI | Schweiz | 1925 |
| ? | Lepontia Bernensis Bern | ? | ? | m | ? | Schweiz | 1931 |
| SA | Lepontia Cantonale Locarno (Luzern) | A | i | m | LC | Schweiz | 1885 |
| SA | Neuburgia Neuenburg | A | f | m/w | NN | Schweiz | 1995 |
| AV | Neu-Welfen Zürich | A | d | m | NW | Schweiz | 1946 |
| GV | Paludia Heerbrugg | G | d | m/w | PH | Schweiz | 1991 |
| SG | Rhodania Sion | G | f | m/w | RH | Schweiz | 1846 |
| SA | Romania Turicensis (Zürich) | A | f | m | RT | Schweiz | 1930 |
| SA | Romania Bernensis (Bern) | ? | f | m | ? | Schweiz | 1945 |
| GV | Saruna Sargans | G | d | m/w | SN | Schweiz | 1992 |
| FHV | Turania Winterthur | I | d | m | TR | Schweiz | 1892 |
Sections without active or veteran members (32)
| Predicate | Name of the corporation | Style | Language | Membership status | Abbreviation | Country | Foundation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GV | Adelphia Bellinzona | G | d | ? | ? | Schweiz | † 1968 |
| AV | Augusta Turin | A | d | ? | ? | Italien | † 1888 |
| SG | Blarentia Pruntrut | G | f | ? | ? | Schweiz | † 1931 |
| AV | Helvetia Eystettensis (Eichstätt) | A | d | ? | ? | Deutschland | † 1895 |
| AV | Helvetia Herbipolensis (Würzburg) | A | d | ? | ? | Deutschland | † 1888 |
| AV | Helvetia Lipsiensis (Leipzig) | A | d | ? | ? | Deutschland | † 1902 |
| AV | Helvetia Mediolanensis (Mailand) | A | d | ? | ? | Italien | † 1967 |
| AV | Helvetia Tubingensis (Tübingen) | A | d | ? | ? | Deutschland | † 1975 |
| AV | Helvetia Westfalensis (Münster) | A | d | ? | ? | Deutschland | † 1914 |
| AV | Justiniana Sion | A | d | ? | ? | Schweiz | † 1901 |
| GV | Laudania Luzern | G | d | ? | ? | Schweiz | † 1976 |
| AV | Leonia Como | A | d | ? | ? | Italien | † 1895 |
| SA | Lepontia Friburgensis (Fribourg-Freiburg) | A | i | ? | LF | Schweiz | ? |
| GV | Petromariana Delle | G | d | ? | ? | Frankreich | † 1901 |
| SG | Salésia Evian-les-Bains | G | f | ? | ? | Frankreich | † 1882 |
| ? | Sektion Luzern | G | f | ? | ? | Schweiz | † 1849 |
| ? | Sektion Chur | G | d | ? | ? | Schweiz | † 1878 |
| ? | Sektion Dillingen | A | d | ? | ? | Deutschland | † 1877 |
| ? | Sektion Frauenfeld | G | d | ? | ? | Schweiz | † 1861 |
| ? | Sektion Grosser Sankt Bernhard | G | f | ? | ? | Schweiz | † 1871 |
| ? | Sektion Heidelberg | A | d | ? | ? | Deutschland | † 1877 |
| ? | Sektion Mainz | A | d | ? | ? | Deutschland | † 1871 |
| ? | Sektion Mariastein | G | d | ? | ? | Schweiz | † 1874 |
| ? | Sektion Monza | A | d | ? | ? | Italien | † 1866 |
| ? | Sektion Paris | A | d | ? | ? | Frankreich | † 1878 |
| ? | Sektion Prag | A | d | ? | ? | Tschechien | † 1864 |
| ? | Sektion Strassburg | A | d | ? | ? | Deutschland, heute Frankreich | † 1877 |
| ? | Sektion Thonon | G | d | ? | ? | Frankreich | † 1891 |
| ? | Sektion Zug | G | d | ? | ? | Schweiz | † 1858 |
| I.V. | Sinceritas Biel | I | d | ? | ? | Schweiz | † 1910 |
| A.V. | Valeria Florens Sion | A | d | ? | ? | Schweiz | † 1892 |
| S.A. | Vigilia Fribourg | A | f | ? | ? | Schweiz | † 1933 |
Explanation
| Legende | |||||||
|
Holy or blessed members
- Maurice Tornay (1910-1949), Augustinian, missionaryMissionaryA missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
and martyrMartyrA martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
, (GV Agaunia)
Further reading
- List of Swiss student societies
- StudentenverbindungStudentenverbindungA Studentenverbindung is a student corporation in a German-speaking country somewhat comparable to fraternities in the US or Canada, but mostly older and going back to other kinds of...
- CorporationsCorporation (university)Corporation refers to different kinds of student organizations worldwide.Generally, universities in the various European countries have student organizations called corporations. The name is derived from the Latin corporatio meaning a body or group...
Literature
- Sébastien Grüter: Histoire de la Société des Étudiants Suisses. Imprimerie de l'Œuvre de Saint-Paul, Fribourg, 1916
- Urs Altermatt (Editor): Den Riesenkampf mit dieser Zeit zu wagen… Schweizerischer Studentenverein 1841-1991. Maihof-Verlag, Lucerne, 1993, ISBN 3952002720