With this annual report, the 40th since the foundation of the Studentenwerk Oberfranken, we would like to inform our partners at the universities, the state institutions that support the Studentenwerk as well as all interested persons and institutions about the most important events and figures of the 2018 financial year.

The annual report provides you with information about important developments and economic framework data of the past year and indicates which problems the Studentenwerk Oberfranken will have to deal with in the near future. A key factor in the success of the 2018 financial year was the continued high number of students at the universities in the area served. With numerous investments in infrastructure and targeted personnel development, the Studentenwerk Oberfranken has created the basis for being able to cope with the sustained high demand for places in hostels, catering and advisory services. I would like to express my special thanks to all the staff of the Studentenwerk, without whose tireless commitment the challenges could not have been mastered. The further development of the universities and the high number of students will continue to be decisive factors in the coming years. It is therefore important to continue to ensure excellent study conditions at all locations through the targeted expansion of the infrastructure.However, this is only possible if the Studentenwerk continues to have sufficient financial resources available in the future. It is true that we have succeeded in improving the business result again in 2018. However, the external conditions, in particular the high pay settlement in the federal states, lead us to expect poorer results in the coming
years. Here, the Free State of Bavaria in particular is called upon to ensure compensation by improving the subsidy situation. The work of the Studentenwerk Oberfranken is an indispensable and important factor in students being able to successfully complete their studies. The Studentenwerk will continue to do everything in its power to ensure that the motto "Damit Studieren gelingt" (“so that studying is successful”), under which all German Studentenwerke operate, remains a reality for students in Upper Franconia.

Josef Tost, managing director