In accordance with Sections 18-20 of the Berlin Higher Education Act, the student body (Studierendenschaft) is responsible for managing its own affairs within the framework of the valid statutory provisions. The student body is a legally capable sub-entity within the university. The Allgemeine Studierendenausschuss (AStA) represents the student body. This means that it is bound by the resolutions made by the student parliament. The members of AStA are held accountable to the student parliament and the general assembly of students.

The university only has legal oversight of the student body. As such, the university can only take legal action against the rulings and measures taken by the student body when these are in violation of existing laws. At the same time, Freie Universität Berlin regularly communicates with the various organizations that act on behalf of the student body. In the case presented above, it has already made its position clear to the members of AStA, namely that AStA’s position does not reflect that of Freie Universität as a whole.