Studentenverbindung

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Studentenverbindung or studentische Korporation (German: [ʃtuˈdɛntn̩.fɛɐ̯ˌbɪndʊŋ]; often referred to as Verbindung) is the umbrella term for many different kinds of fraternity-type associations in German-speaking countries, including Corps, Burschenschaften, Landsmannschaften, Turnerschaften, and Catholic fraternities. Worldwide, there are over 1,600 Studentenverbindungen, about a thousand in Germany, with a total of over 190,000 members.^[1] These fraternities are organized by umbrella groups.^[2] In them, students spend their university years in an organized community, whose members stay connected even after graduation. A goal of this lifelong bond (Lebensbund) is to create contacts and friendships over many generations and to facilitate networking. The Lebensbund is very important for the longevity of these networks.^[3]

Their autonomous and grassroots democratic Convent is also an important similarity of all student corporations. Apart from the Lebensbund and the Convent, every Studentenverbindung also has a so-called Comment (borrowed from French for 'how'). The Comment is a body of rules that organize various aspects of fraternity life such as the Couleur, academic fencing (Mensur), and general rules of conduct.

Fraternities of this particular type are present in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Hungary, Latvia, Estonia, (formerly) German or German-speaking areas and other smaller communities in Europe, and Chile. These groups originated in the 19th century when Napoleon occupied the independent states of Germany.^[4] Fraternities were a way to express nationalism in an era when there was a push for national unity.^[5][4] The first fraternity, established in 1812, adopting the colors of a Prussian volunteer military unit.^[4] In the era of the German Empire, half of male students joined a fraternity.^[4] In the 1950s, this number had declined to thirty percent.^[4] Between one and two percent of all current students in Germany are active members of a Studentenverbindung.^[6][4] These groups are mostly based in Heidelberg, Marburg, and Tübingen.^[4] The decline in fraternal membership stems from a perception that these groups are anachronistic, even "stuffy", with right-wing views of manhood.^[4][5] In the 21st century, there have been several scandals linking German fraternities to racism and sexism.^[5][4] Some fraternities require new members to pass a test on 19th and 20th century German history; German citizenship is also another common requirement.^[4]