For the students of the Leipzig universities, the new service center is still only a few steps away from the Augustusplatz campus. In the historic counter hall of the former bank building, under a 12 meter high glass dome, there are now various information terminals and a waiting area with modern seating.
Ten glass booths are grouped between the surrounding pillars, in which students and prospective students can hold their counseling appointments with the respective contact persons. When setting up the new facility, care was taken to retain and expand the functions of the previous SSZ.
The new premises offer more opportunities for individual consultation. The waiting and information areas were arranged more clearly and upgraded with digital offers. Of course, the new SSZ is barrier-free.
The building erected in 1910/11 as a bank at Goethestraße 3-5 was known for a long time primarily as the Franz Mehring bookstore, one of the largest bookstores in the GDR; later a branch of the Dresdner Bank was located here.
Other rental areas in the building were temporarily rented by the owner to a commercial shop. From 2019 to 2020, the building was renovated and modernized by the owner in accordance with the requirements of the monument. (See the University Magazine for more on the story.)
The offer in the Student Service Center
A new student ID, orientation when choosing a course, help with the BAföG application or a consultation about a stay abroad – students and prospective students can get support for these and many other issues from the Student Service Center (SSZ). University of Leipzig, in collaboration with the Studentenwerk Leipzig is operated.
For students and those interested in studying at Leipzig University, the SSZ is the central point of contact for questions about studying. The Central Student Advisory Service, the Student Secretariat, the Unicard Service, the Career Service and the International Office bundle their range of services here. An appointment with the appropriate contact persons can easily be booked online – even if consultations can only take place by telephone or digitally due to the current corona protection measures.
For students of all eight Leipzig universities, for which the Studentenwerk Leipzig is responsible, the Studentenwerk Leipzig offers a general information service, canteen ticket service, BAföG information service and social counseling in the SSZ. Due to the pandemic, only the canteen ticket service is currently available on site with prior appointment.
On Tuesday, January 11, the Saxon Minister of Science, Sebastian Gemkow, opened the new Student Service Center together with Rector Prof. Dr. Beate Schücking, Prorector Prof. Dr. Thomas Hofsäss, head of the Studentenwerk Dr. Andrea Diekhof and media representatives visited.
During the tour, Gemkow said that the SSZ is “a really nice flagship for the University of Leipzig”. Among other things, he had the appointment booking explained to him, received a (fictitious) Unicard and learned what is important for planning a stay abroad and before the first visit to the canteen.
“The SSZ is both a point of reference and a beacon for our university,” said Rector Prof. Dr. Beate Schücking. “Many students come into direct contact with us here for the first time when they seek advice on topics such as the range of courses, the application process or student financing. I am particularly pleased that we will continue to bundle our range of services here together with the Studentenwerk Leipzig.”
“We are grateful for this cooperation with the University of Leipzig, because the services offered by the Studentenwerk Leipzig are available to students of all eight Leipzig universities at a central location in the city center and we can offer the students of the University of Leipzig a bundled service from both institutions under one provide a roof,” says Dr. Andrea Diekhof, Managing Director of the Studentenwerk Leipzig.
“At the SSZ, both students and those interested in studying meet competent contact persons for personal advice on everything to do with their studies,” says Prof. Dr. Thomas Hofsäss, Vice Rector for Education and International Affairs. “With the option of making an appointment online in advance, we ensure that there are no waiting times and that everyone is referred to the right contact point.”
University Open Day on January 13th
For many prospective students, this year’s Open Day on Thursday, January 13, 2022 is the start of their search for the right course of study. Due to the current corona protection measures, it will take place exclusively digitally this year. Dr. Klaus Arnold hopes that future students will soon be able to receive advice on site again: “We are confident that we will soon be able to personally welcome prospective students here in the new Student Service Center and support them through the study orientation and application phase.”
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