Semester Kick-off in the Stadium

“I am delighted that you have decided to study at our university and that I am able to welcome you here today – in the Borussia Dortmund home stadium, probably the largest and most beautiful lecture hall in the world – instead of just at home in front of the screen,” said Prof. Manfred Bayer. The TU President wished the freshmen a successful and enjoyable start to their studies, full of exciting insights, vital stamina and many new friendships. “After three mainly digital semesters, the university is finally returning to predominately face-to-face teaching. That said, we still have to be considerate of one another,” said Bayer. At the freshmen welcome event, all attendees had to show their “3G documents” – proof of compliance with Germany’s federal rule for tackling Covid-19: vaccinated, tested, recovered – and wear a medical mask unless they were seated.

A varied event with exciting prizes

The freshmen enjoyed the variety of the event and spending time together. Of the more than 4,600 newly enrolled students, the majority were in attendance at the stadium. The total number of students at TU Dortmund University was around 31,700 on Monday morning, but the final number will not be known until December, as registrations from abroad and for master’s degree programs are still possible for the time being. Christoph Edeler, Head of University Sports at TU Dortmund University, moderated the event. Dortmund’s Mayor Thomas Westphal welcomed the students to the city with a video message. Till Zaschel from the General Student Committee, Thomas Treß from the Borussia Dortmund sports club, Heribert Germeshausen from the Dortmund Opera, Julia Wissert from Theater Dortmund, Britta Lefarth from the Dortmund Concert Hall, and Thomas Schlootz from the Studierendenwerk Dortmund all gave the freshmen a warm welcome. The new students were met with musical performances by the opera, the philharmonic orchestra and the artist houaïda as well as prizes: Vouchers for the Studierendenwerk cafeteria were raffled off. Not only that, but Prof. Manfred Bayer shot a soccer ball signed by Borussia Dortmund stars into the crowd.

Winter semester with Covid safety measures on campus

To ensure people can return to the campus this winter semester, there will be extensive Covid safety measures in place at TU Dortmund University. In accordance with Germany’s federal 3G rule, only people who have been vaccinated, tested, or have recovered from the virus will be allowed to attend classes. For a week now, TU students have been able to have their 3G documents checked at central check-in points on campus in order to receive digital access authorization via the TU app in the form of a green tick or, in certain cases, a sticker on their photo ID. At the main entrances to the large lecture halls and seminar buildings, these access authorizations are checked by the security team. Anyone submitting original documents should expect longer waiting times. In rooms that are outside the controlled building, compliance with 3G measures is checked by teachers at the beginning of the class. Throughout the entire campus a medical mask must still be worn in the buildings and in classes, even when seated.

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