ERSU Catania (Ente Regionale per il Diritto allo Studio Universitario di Catania) is a public-law body established by the Sicilian regional government under Regional Law 20 of 25 November 2002. It has its own assets and administrative and managerial autonomy, and is subject to the direction, supervision and control of Sicily’s regional education and vocational training department. 2
Based in Catania, Sicily, ERSU’s remit is to support university students’ right to education. Its work includes providing accommodation and other student services in connection with university study in the city. 210 Its activities are locally focused on Catania and the students it serves; the organisation is part of the regional system for implementing university education rights in Sicily. 2
In an initiative reported in August 2026, ERSU approved a plan to increase student bed capacity from about 400 to at least 800 by entering into agreements with accommodation providers in areas connected to University of Catania campuses. The plan responds in part to the temporary unavailability of two university residences undergoing renovation. 11 The article names president Salvo Santamaria and director Salvo Cantarella as leaders involved in the work; the board’s unanimous decision also involved vice-president Salvo Cannizzaro and student representatives Carla Barcellona, Martina Cannilla and Gianmarco Sottosanti. 11 ERSU said the longer-term aim was to exceed 1,000 places, with participating properties subject to requirements concerning size, safety, services and legal compliance, as well as ministerial oversight. 11