Science Minister Svenja Schulze supports Campus project in Siegen city centre

(February 16, 2011) “Universities belong in the centre of cities; this is what makes them future-proof,” said North Rhine-Westphalian Science Minister Svenja Schulze during a visit to University of Siegen. She underlined that the Siegen downtown campus project was “very exciting”. “I am strongly interested in seeing it implemented.”

From 2013 onwards, Siegen’s lower castle near the district hospital will host Faculty III for Economics, Business IT and Commercial Law as well as auditoriums, a library, a canteen and student accommodation. Together with District Administrator Paul Breuer, Mayor Steffen Mues, the head of student services Detlef Rujanski, as well as the CEO of Siegen’s savings bank Wilfried Groos, the University Directorate demonstrated its support for this “once in a lifetime” opportunity. Details of financing and spatial planning will be defined over the next weeks.

Following a site inspection to lower castle and the clinic, Svenja Schulze talked with long-standing and new senators. “University of Siegen was quick to redefine its profile. This is unique, yet critical for strengthening its position in the long-term,” outlined the minister in describing the reorganization process. In addition, she commented on current topics, including the abolition of tuition fees. “I am positive that this proposal will be adopted by a majority of the state parliament on 24 February.” The project will be financed with earmarked funds of at least 249 million Euros per year. This sum was calculated based on figures from last winter semester, by counting all enrolled students and multiplying this number by a factor of 1.5 times the standard period of study.

What is more, the Science Minister announced another revision of the Universities Act (Hochschulgesetz), following ample discussion. Issues to be resolved include the roles of the senate and the university council as well as how to ensure a broad portfolio of study subjects and how to help students reach a degree.

After that, Svenja Schulze answered a number of questions raised by the senators, such as addressing the future organizational structure for universities in the Federal Land of North Rhine-Westphalia. “We will provide the budget, and it is up to the universities to define and communicate their profile on their own. The Federal Land must however ensure that a broad selection of study programmes will be available now and into the future.”