Milestones

The period around 1970 is a time of upheaval: the post-war generation questions old conventions, culminating in the protests and activities of the 1968 movement. Here, a new self-image of the student body becomes apparent, in which children from working-class and white-collar families are now represented more frequently than before. Also in Northern Hesse: In 1971, the Gesamthochschule Kassel - later to become the University of Kassel - is founded, and in the same year the Studentenwerk begins its work with an initial staff of 22 people.

Photo: Women and men from the founding period of the Studentenwerk

In 1971, the Federal Education Assistance Act (BAföG) is passed. BAföG is intended to enable young people to finance an education in line with their inclinations and abilities even if their own or their parents' financial resources are insufficient. The Studentenwerke, state-run non-profit organizations for student affairs, take care of the administration. In 1972, 4,800 students were already receiving support in Kassel.

Photo: The "funding" department in the seventies.

A temporary canteen is set up in the so-called Aufbau- und Verfügungszentrum (AVZ) of the Gesamthochschule Kassel, where 600 meals are served every day. It was not until five years later that today's Mensa AVZ went into operation. The first two cafeterias were also established here and at the Studentenwerk's headquarters at Königstor.

Photo: View into the dining hall of the first Mensa

It's getting crowded in Kassel: More and more young people are streaming to the city to study. This also drives up rents. But the housing shortage should not deter anyone from studying. The Studentenwerk is taking over the search for housing and will soon also be getting involved in managing its own student halls. The student halls in Kölnische Straße and Ludwig-Mohr-Straße in Kassel, together with the first student hall in Nordbahnhofstraße in Witzenhausen, offer 115 places. Today, around 1,100 students find their temporary home at the Studierendenwerk.

Photo: Student room in the student hall, end of the 1970s.

General Students' Committee AStA, GhK, employment office and Studentenwerk start a joint advising service on study and career prospects. In Witzenhausen, the Studentenwerk now has its own branch office, where BAföG advising takes place and student hall applications are processed.
New cafeterias invite students to take a break from their everyday student life: The cafeteria at the Kunsthochschule Kassel had already been taken over by the Studentenwerk last year, and now the cafeteria at the so-called Ingenieurschule on Wilhelmshöher Allee has been added.

Photo: Student advising as a team

The number of students rises steadily to almost 5,700 in 1979. The greatest challenge for the young Studentenwerk at the end of the 1970s is the creation of living space. In 1975, the student hall at Kohlenstraße was built with 126 rooms. In 1979, the student hall at Weserstraße was added and the foundation stone was laid for the student hall at Wolfhager Straße. In 1980, the construction of the student hall Am Sande in Witzenhausen follows. Through the local newspaper and posters, the Studentenwerk urgently appeals to landlords to offer rooms and apartments for students.

Photo: The Kohlenstraße student hall at the end of the 1970s.

In the Studentenwerk newspaper "sw-transparent", the résumé of the fifth anniversary is mixed: "Not all hopes were fulfilled. Not all plans were realized. (...) But whoever has survived these five years without significant damage, what can still shake them?"
Witzenhausen now also has a cafeteria. It finds its home on the Steinstraße campus in the chapter house of the former monastery building.

Photo: Birthday edition of the Studentenwerk newspaper

By 1980, the Studentenwerk already has over 100 employees. They work in the BAföG office, in the Mensa and cafeterias, in advisory centers, as craftspeople or in administration. The Studentenwerk is a reliable employer.

Photo: Fun at work: The Witzenhausen Mensa team around 1980.

From A for Akademisches Auslandsamt (International Office) to E for Erziehungsgeld (child-raising allowance) and K for Krankenversicherung (health insurance) to Z for Zentrale Studienberatung (central student advisory service), the small brochure "Student in Kassel" summarizes everything worth knowing about student life. The booklet is in great demand ... There was no Internet yet.

Photo: The Studentenwerk publishes the first booklet "Student in Kassel" in an edition of 8000 copies.

The new central campus of Gesamthochschule Kassel is not located on a greenfield site in Oberzwehren, but in the middle of downtown Kassel. Of course, those who study and work here should also be able to take relaxed breaks. The existing cafeterias are now joined by the Pavillon - cafeteria and restaurant combined.

Photo: The Pavillon also serves hearty meals in the evening.

In October, the Zentralmensa on the Holländischer Platz campus is opened, followed shortly afterwards by the "Moritz" restaurant in the same building. Up to 3,000 hungry students, employees and guests of the university can be satisfied here at lunchtime. The Mensa dining hall can seat 600 guests at a time, and the "Moritz" restaurant another 100. Those who eat in the "Moritz" order food à la carte.

Photo: Opening celebration of the Zentralmensa on October 17, 1988.

The first Mensa started in 1972, initially as a temporary arrangement. But soon, lunch in the Mensa is part of everyday life for most students. By 1989, more than one million Mensa meals had been sold - the surprised anniversary guest receives a large gift basket. Today, the Studierendenwerk has 15 dining options in Kassel and Witzenhausen. Affordable variety, sustainability, zeitgeist and a wide range of dietary preferences are the guidelines for the Mensa and cafeterias.

Photo: Surprised and happy - the millionth Mensa guest in 1989

The Studentenwerk, AStA and Gesamthochschule launch a campaign for more student housing, because the housing offers are no longer keeping pace with the number of students. The GhK now has 14,000 students.

Photo: Posters in the pedestrian zone, cinema and newspaper advertisements appeal to landlords.

Far too many empty coffee cups are left in lecture halls and seminar rooms. From now on, a cup deposit ensures that they return to the cafeterias. The Studentenwerk cups can be recognized by the "Pear Man", the logo mascot of the Studentenwerk.

Photo: The Studentenwerk's much-loved "pear" cups were all too often used to furnish kitchens in flatshares.

The Studierendenwerk has a long tradition of providing advice on all aspects of studying. As early as the beginning of the 1970s, there is the social advisory service and the student counseling service in one team. In 1992, the then Studentenwerk Kassel took over the university's psychosocial counseling center and began offering low-threshold support for students in psychological crises. In 1993, legal advising was added in order to be able to assist students who were struggling with legal problems connected to their studies.

Photo: Office hour of the social advisors in the early 1970s.

At the beginning of the nineties, more and more people become interested in organic food. A trend that is picked up early on by the Studentenwerk. The Steinstraße Mensa in Witzenhausen, where the Department of Organic Agricultural Sciences is located, began offering a daily organic menu in 1994. In 1999, the Studentenwerk starts a cooperation with the ecologically managed Staatsdomäne Frankenhausen, which is affiliated to the GhK, in order to be able to use more organic food. In 2003, the German Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture awards the Mensa Steinstraße with the "Biostar 2003". And in 2005, the Studentenwerk receives the organic certificate and is officially allowed to use the biolabel. From now on, organic and Transfair meals and foods will be offered in both Mensas and cafeterias.

Photo: The commitment since 1994 has paid off - in 2005, the Studentenwerk is certified.

The 1990s are a time of change: The Berlin Wall falls, borders disappear and Europe also grows closer together. More and more international students flock to Kassel. In the Europahaus, completed in 1996, and in many other student halls, they find a temporary home that meets their needs.

Photo: The Studentenwerk as builder: Here in 1995 at the Europahaus.

The university and the Studentenwerk celebrate their anniversary year with a series of events. Among other things, with a cheerful university ball. The Studentenwerk now employs 174 people. The administrative headquarters of the Studentenwerk is being expanded to create more space for BAföG counselors.

Photo: University President Prof. Dr. Hans Brinckmann in the clutches of Studentenwerk polar bears at the anniversary ball.

For the first time, "Hello, freshmen!" days are held at the Studentenwerk, during which the freshmen of the winter semester are welcomed. They receive information about student life in Kassel and Witzenhausen and can take the opportunity to have their questions about money, housing and campus life answered.

The world goes digital. The Studentenwerk goes online with its own website and sets up the first Internet connections in the student halls.

Photo: Living without the Internet is hardly imaginable nowadays.

The GhK opens the new "International House" - the Studentenwerk runs the guesthouse for the university.

Photo: Handover of keys for the international guest house

Living a welcoming culture: Students who live in a student hall themselves get involved as tutors to help residents get along better. They organize meetings and events for students to get to know each other, act as contact persons in case of conflicts and interface with the Studierendenwerk. With the help of the student hall tutors, students who come to Kassel or Witzenhausen from abroad have an easier start and make contact more quickly.

Photo: The student hall tutorial is a successful model

Henceforth, the university renounces the name "Gesamthochschule" and changes its name to “Universität Kassel”.

Graphic: The GhK logo is now obsolete

Christina Walz succeeds Dieter Beuermann, who was managing director of the Studentenwerk for about three decades until his retirement.

Photo: Congratulations for the new managing director from Dr. Hans Gädeke, Chancellor of the University of Kassel and Chairman of the Board of the Studentenwerk.

The university joins the campus festival of the Studentenwerk as organizer - it will be even bigger, even more beautiful. And in the Europahaus, the newly founded CampusClub of the Studentenwerk finds its home for the time being - open get-togethers for everyone on campus. Students ensure an international orientation here on behalf of the Studentenwerk.

On July 1, Hesse's new Studentenwerksgesetz (the law for the Studentenwerke of Hesse) goes into effect.

Graphic: The new law in the Gazette of Laws and Ordinances.

In 2006, the new Hessian Studentenwerksgesetz clears the way for childcare by the Studentenwerke, finally making studying more family-friendly. One year later, the first parent-child room is opened, and play corners in the dining halls as well as diaper-changing rooms help ensure that parents and children feel comfortable on campus. In 2008, childcare is provided for the first time as part of a daycare model by the Studentenwerk, and in 2009 Die Frechdachse in Witzenhausen and the HoPla-Kinderhaus begin their work. 44 children of students are cared for in the two daycare centers.

Photo: Visiting the parent-child room on the Holländischer Platz campus.

The Bistro K10 team can be pleased about top positions in the nationwide Mensa of the Year competition. Several times its guests rated this bistro so well that it was enough for a place on the winner's podium.

Photo: In 2010, Bistro K10 was the third-best and in 2011 the second-best Mensa in Germany.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the university and the Studentenwerk, there are a big campus party, as well as jubilee food and jubilee coffee in the Mensas and cafeterias. Meanwhile, 21,500 people are studying at the University of Kassel and 200 diligent Studentenwerk employees are helping to ensure that they are all well.

Photo: The anniversary logo of the Studentenwerk

The Zentralmensa is being rebuilt and reopened provisionally in time for the start of lectures in the winter semester. In the summer, construction work begins on the HoPla-Kinderhaus daycare center and the Max Kade Haus student hall, which will also be the future administrative headquarters of the Studentenwerk. At the Wilhelmshöher Allee campus, the new Adolfstraße student hall is occupied. So many students are now looking for apartments that the extra actions "Sofa frei", "WG-Speeddating" and "Be Welcome" are launched to support them in an unconventional way.

Graphic: Plan B for the reconstruction period of the Zentralmensa.

Bigger and more beautiful: The new dining hall of the Zentralmensa with more than 400 additional seats and a large play corner for campus children is opened.

Photo: The dining hall extension as seen from Möncheberg.

In the largest daycare center of the Studentenwerk, there is room for 72 children between the ages of one and school enrollment. Meals suitable for children are provided by the Zentralmensa. Directly next to the HoPla Kinderhaus, 132 students move into their apartments in the new Max Kade Haus student hall, which was supported by a donation from the Max Kade Foundation.

Photo: Summer celebration at the HoPla-Kinderhaus 2017

The departments for Advisory & Financing Services and Student Housing move to the new Campus Center building on Holländischer Platz. Students will now find all the services offered by the University and the Studentenwerk under one roof. In November, the majority of the Studentenwerk's administrative department will also move - the new office is located at Universitätsplatz 1.

Photo: Advisory services are now available in the new Campus Center across from the Zentralmensa

For many students, learning works best when distractions - and the comfortable sofa at home - are not available. However, with a special offer the Studentenwerk shows that learning does not have to mean asceticism: At the LernBar in the LEO learning center, students can get brain food for their study breaks.

Photo: Food for bright minds at the LernBar

Here, green is more than just a color - with a sustainable concept and incentives to save energy, the Weserstraße student hall reopens.

Photo: Flowers, insect hotel and nesting boxes set ecological signs in an urban location.

At our studykidscare daycare center, student parents can book flexible care times for their children aged between six months and ten years at short notice. The idea has been very well received and is supported with funds from the KitaPlus program.

Photo: studykidscare steps in when flexible childcare is needed

Equality in name, logo and font - in 2017, the administrative board of the Studentenwerk decides the name change to Studierendenwerk. In 2018, preparations begin, and on May 6, 2019, the time has finally come; the generic masculine word "Studenten" in the name will be replaced by the gender-neutral "Studierende".

Photo: A new logo for the new name Studierendenwerk Kassel.

Hybrid semesters and lockdowns, online lectures and contact restrictions - the Corona pandemic and infection control measures are enormous challenges for the Studierendenwerk. Strict hygiene concepts are being developed for the Mensa, cafeterias and daycare centers, yet they have to close temporarily. Quarantine rooms are set up in the student halls for students arriving from Corona risk areas. Students can no longer find part-time jobs; their applications for the so-called Bridging Aid from the federal and state governments have to be processed with great time pressure.

Photo: Usually all seats are taken at noon. In the Corona year, Mensas and cafeterias remain quiet.

The Studierendenwerk will be 50 years old and can look back on a successful history. A lot has happened since 1971: Whether it's food, housing, financing, counseling or childcare, the Studierendenwerk has grown into a modern service provider. 230 employees offer help and solutions in all areas of student life - so that studying goes well.

Figure: Anniversary logo for the 50th birthday of the Studierendenwerk