After the severe strain caused by the corona pandemic, Hamburg’s students are now facing new hardships in the face of the energy crisis and inflation. Due to rising rents in student dormitories, higher prices in the canteens and concerns about the day-care centers operated by the Studierendenwerk, its boss, Jürgen Allemeyer, is calling for significant increases in aid from the federal government and the city of Hamburg.

In addition: Because of a possible gas emergency and the obligation to save energy, but also because of a possible further corona wave, it is not certain whether the approximately 100,000 students in Hamburg can be taught in person throughout the winter semester, which begins on October 1st.

Allemeyer urged the students to save energy. So far, the rents for the approximately 4,400 dormitories in the 26 facilities of the student union have only increased by 10 to 15 euros. But that could be significantly more and the intervals between rent increases could also be shorter, warned Allemeyer.

On the other hand, however, he assured that the students would not have to reckon with additional payments. This is due to the all-inclusive rents, which include the energy costs. The disadvantage: “Our principle that each individual does not immediately see what he/she has caused can lead to a situation where one is perhaps not careful enough.”

The head of the Studierendenwerk confirmed that the 13 canteens, 17 cafés and five café shops in the universities should remain open for the most part and that there would be hot food even in the event of a gas emergency. However, students would have to expect higher prices. The kitchens are already equipped with energy-saving appliances and the menus are also made on the basis of readily available food that is as cheap as possible. Nevertheless, higher prices could not be avoided given the massive cost increases of 30 to 40 percent for food. Allemeyer is already assuming a deficit of around three million euros in the coming year.

Allemeyer sees not only the students, but above all the state in the duty. The promise of the city of Hamburg to expand financial support for the student union is intended to help avoid excessive price increases. The city’s contributions to the daycare centers would also have to increase significantly in order to absorb the cost increases, said Allemeyer.

And the students themselves need more support. The previous Bafög increases were just as little as the housing allowance. “It is very important that the students have more money available to cope with this living situation not only in the canteen but also in everyday life.” Already in the first two years of the pandemic, numerous students got into serious financial difficulties, because classic student jobs had disappeared due to the corona restrictions.

So far it is unclear how the winter semester, which begins in around seven weeks, will go at the universities. The university – with a good 43,000 students the largest university – said on request: “The University of Hamburg is currently working intensively on various scenarios for planning the winter semester under the framework conditions of the energy supply.” The aim is to operate in teaching, research and administration for to be able to continue all members of the university in the best possible way.

At the Technical University with its almost 8,000 students, with a view to the energy savings that have already taken place and are still planned: “We are currently assuming that the statutory and contractual services in research, teaching and administration can be maintained.”