Conférence nationale des étudiants vice-présidents d'université

The Conférence nationale des étudiants vice-présidents d'université (CEVPU) is a French association loi de 1901 that unites students who hold the office of vice-president at French universities. Founded in Nice on 30 September 2001 during the IXth national meetings of student vice-presidents, it operated as an informal group for nearly two years before becoming a legal association on 9 March 2003 following the XIIth meetings in Aix-en-Provence. Its first president was Charles-Jacques Martinetti, then a student vice-president at Université Aix-Marseille III. Originally named Conférence des Vice-Présidents Étudiants d'Université (C.V.P.E.U.), the association changed its statutes and adopted its current name on 8 February 2004 in Strasbourg, to assert its national character and emphasise the role of students serving as university vice-presidents. The CEVPU describes itself as a structure for mutualisation and expertise serving all actors in higher education. Its core mission is to increase student participation in the governance of their institutions. To that end, it provides advice for the creation and development of vice-presidencies entrusted to students within a framework of citizen co-management of universities. It may officially speak on matters within the competence of vice-presidents, such as student life. The association is independent of any representative student organisation, and its permanent commission reflects the diversity of the student movement. Internally, the summer General Assembly annually designates a president and a permanent commission. The president, elected for a one-year term renewable once, acts as spokesperson for student vice-presidents of French universities. The permanent commission, serving as the board of directors, comprises up to 15 members and decides on the association's actions within the general policy set by the General Assembly. The conference typically meets three times a year at national meetings and by geographic sector the rest of the year. A supervisory council composed of members of the two previous permanent commissions ensures compliance with the statutes. Funding comes from membership fees paid by French universities (almost all are members, each paying 300 euros per year), subsidies, and donations. The conference is currently based at the Maison Étudiante in Paris. Since 4 October 2025, the president has been Nicolas Mourgues, student vice-president of Université Savoie-Mont Blanc. The CEVPU celebrated its 20th anniversary on 21 April 2023.

The Conférence nationale des étudiants vice-présidents d'université (CEVPU) was founded in Nice on 30 September 2001 during the IXth national meetings of student vice-presidents. Students holding such functions had already been meeting regularly for several years to exchange experiences and projects. For nearly two years, the group operated informally under the direction of Jean-Marc Giaume and his team. It became a legal association (association loi de 1901) on 9 March 2003 following the XIIth meetings in Aix-en-Provence. Its first president was Charles-Jacques Martinetti, then student vice-president at Université Aix-Marseille III. The creation of the CEVPU was the culmination of many debates held during previous meetings and reflected a growing awareness of the need for such a structure to support the action of vice-presidents, promote links among them, and foster the sharing of their experiences and skills. Initially named Conférence des Vice-Présidents Étudiants d'Université (C.V.P.E.U.), the association changed its statutes and adopted its current name, Conférence nationale des Étudiants Vice-Présidents d'Université (C.E.V.P.U.), following a decision of its general assembly on 8 February 2004 in Strasbourg. This change pursued two strategic objectives: to clearly assert its national character and to emphasise the importance of the role of students serving as university vice-presidents, while discouraging the use of the term 'Vice-Président Étudiant' (V.P.E.), which had become overused in some universities to the point of suggesting a separate category of vice-presidents. Nevertheless, that term was retained in the Law on the freedoms and responsibilities of universities. Since its founding, the CEVPU has been led by successive generations of student vice-presidents. The list of presidents includes Charles-Jacques Martinetti (2003–2004), Pierre-Yves Ollivier (2004), Sylvain Comparot (2004–2006), François Laurin (2006–2007), Olivier Lopez (2007–2008), Anne Beinier (2008–2009), Fred Maissa (2009–2010), Julie Costa (2010–2011), Margaud Antoine Fabry (2011–2012), Florian Turc (2012–2014), Antoine Martin (2014–2016), Dorian Colas des Francs (2016–2017), and others. On 4 October 2025, Nicolas Mourgues, student vice-president of Université Savoie-Mont Blanc, became president. The association celebrated its 20th anniversary on 21 April 2023.

• Founded in Nice during the IXth national meetings of student vice-presidents.

• Became a legal association (association loi de 1901) after the XIIth meetings in Aix-en-Provence.

• Changed name to Conférence nationale des Étudiants Vice-Présidents d'Université (C.E.V.P.U.) at the general assembly in Strasbourg.

• Celebrated its 20th anniversary.

• Nicolas Mourgues became president.

A mutualisation and expertise structure serving all higher education actors, promoting student participation in university governance through citizen co-management.

• Advice on student vice-presidencies

  Counsel for the creation and development of vice-presidencies entrusted to students within a framework of citizen co-management of universities.

• National meetings (Rencontres Nationales)

  The conference meets three times a year at national meetings and by geographic sector the rest of the year.

• Shared documents and expertise

  The CEVPU produces a set of documents available on its website to foster knowledge and skill sharing.

1. 1Conférence nationale des étudiants vice-présidents d'universitécevpu.org
2. 2Histoire de la CEVPUcevpu.org
3. 3Conférence des étudiants vice-présidents d'universitéfr.wikipedia.org
4. 4Wikidatawikidata.org