The universities in Baden-Württemberg have asked the Ministry of Science for support because of the impending energy crisis. In Freiburg there is a discussion about bringing the semester forward.
An energy crisis is looming in autumn and winter, and the universities in Baden-Württemberg are preparing for it. You consider how energy can be saved. The Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg is discussing, among other things, starting the semester earlier.
The university senate met for a special session on Monday morning. As the University of Freiburg informed SWR in writing, three working groups were formed: for research, teaching and operations. They should deal with the question of how energy can be saved. The first results are expected to be available by the end of July.
Possibility: bring the semester forward
One option is to bring the winter semester forward. An internal e-mail available to SWR shows that the winter semester is being considered starting in September instead of October and ending at Christmas – so that the classrooms do not have to be heated in January and February. The university did not comment on the specific periods, but pointed out that the effect, length and legal basis had to be checked. Further savings could be heat and energy regulation in research and teaching rooms and equipment, as well as other possible research measures, the answer said. Cost increases in particular, especially for gas, could be horrendous, according to the press spokesman for the University of Freiburg, Bastian Strauch, to SWR. At the moment, prices are expected to triple. However, it could be that one has to assume that the prices will increase eightfold or tenfold.
research directly affected
Should gas really become scarce, research would also be directly affected. Although data centers, laboratories and entire large-scale test facilities eat up a lot of electricity, they cannot be switched off easily. Some devices and laboratories can be switched off for a certain time, says university spokesman Bastian Strauch. At the same time, there is also sensitive infrastructure, such as the storage of hazardous materials, which is permanently dependent on an energy supply.
All universities in Baden-Württemberg are looking for ways to save
Opportunities are being considered not only in Freiburg, but also in other cities. According to the State Rectors’ Conference, there is little scope for saving energy. After two years of the pandemic, it is important that students can come back to the campus.
In a survey on Wednesday evening, some students and doctoral students were unsure and would like to have planning security: “As doctoral students, we always have to see where we can find the time to do science and where the time for teaching is,” is one opinion. A student points to possible consequences for summer jobs and internships that “have to be done on time or are only recognized if they take place during the semester break.” Another student is concerned about the financial consequences: “Who knows, maybe the semester fees will increase.” Other students welcome the suggestions: According to one student, it is worth considering, especially in the cold winter months one can save energy. Another student praises the project because society is currently paying more attention to it. She thinks it’s good that the University of Freiburg is making progress here.
State Rectors’ Conference: additional costs of 50 million euros per year
Preparations are also underway in the Ministry of Science. “We know that rising energy costs are a relevant factor for universities,” said Science Minister Theresia Bauer (Greens). The ministry wants to take the issue into account in discussions about the next budget.
“We are therefore in talks with each other and I will exchange views on this with the state rectors’ conferences in July.”
The State Rectors’ Conference has dealt with the issue and asked the state for support because the rising prices could lead to additional costs for energy of over 50 million euros per year. From a financial point of view, the universities have their backs to the wall, according to a press release on Wednesday.
The Mannheim rector Thomas Puhl says for the committee that the situation is precarious. If the gas emergency level is declared, the universities will no longer be able to act without state support. The universities may then have no choice but to close parts. This will mean significant cuts in research and teaching.
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