Dear readers and readers,

Studierendenwerk Münster currently provides its services to a good 58,000 students. By performing its numerous and important social tasks, the Studierendenwerk is an important partner for the universities in their efforts to attract students to Münster and Steinfurt as academic locations in the face of increasing competition.

The quality with which Studierendenwerk Münster manages its diverse tasks in the core areas of Accomodation, Catering, Student Finance, Counselling and Childcare, as well as in other business areas, not only increases the attractiveness of the university landscape, but also that of the Münster location and the entire Münsterland region.

Inspiring enthusiasm for the region

The Studierendenwerk plays an important role in attracting around 58,000 students to Münster and Steinfurt as places to study. It therefore plays a major role in all the associated positive effects for the region. This is particularly true in cultural and economic terms. At this point, it is only worth mentioning the purchasing power that students bring to Münster.

As at the balance sheet date (31.12.2023), the Studierendenwerk manages the above-mentioned tasks with 550 employees (excluding trainees [7] and managing directors). With total assets of around € 236.6 million and its employees, the Studierendenwerk plays an important role as a regional employer. These are predominantly long-term jobs with extremely low fluctuation. The number of severely disabled employees is well above the minimum required by law. Here too, the Studierendenwerk fulfills its role as a social service provider and employer. In addition, Studierendenwerk Münster has been certified as a family-friendly company since 2009 and works with the active support of many employees to continuously improve the compatibility of work and family life.

Studierendenwerk as a secure service provider and employer

Studierendenwerk Münster’s function as a service provider and a secure employer must be maintained in the future. The current criteria of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia for the allocation of the fixed amount subsidy for ongoing business entail the risk that the funds made available will decrease from year to year after adjustment for inflation and thus do not compensate for cost increases, especially for energy and tariff increases. Fortunately, the general subsidy for the Studierendenwerke in NRW was increased by 3% in the 2023 financial year. However, this regular increase of 3%, originally planned for subsequent years, has already been suspended again for 2024 due to the tight budget situation.

On the other hand, in 2023, the state once again set up a number of separate funding pots to cushion price increases with regard to the increased costs of energy supply and the use of goods in university catering. In the view of the Studierendenwerke, however, a permanent increase in state subsidies is urgently required due to the additional cost burdens, particularly against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the Middle East conflict and the associated inflation. This is also necessary in order to close the gap that has arisen in recent years between the relative increase in NRW state subsidies and the far greater increase in students’ social contributions.

Expansion of service offerings

Since the winter semester 2023/24, Studierendenwerk Münster has been charging a social contribution of €120.00 (previously €99.34). In order to generate additional contribution margins, the Studierendenwerke will continue to examine whether they can expand their range of services and open up further markets in the student environment. For example, in the reporting year, the management of parking spaces at the student residences was implemented via an external service provider. On the other hand, loss-making services must be reduced as far as is justifiable with the social mission.

A situation that must be particularly taken into account in Münster is that the Studierendenwerk largely owns its real estate in the areas of administration, residential complexes and large dormitories, while other Studierendenwerke operate their facilities in buildings owned by the universities or the state (BLB). Accordingly, it has to take responsibility for all associated problems, risks and, above all, investment measures and their effects (loan repayments etc.) without state aid. While the funds for the general subsidy in the state budget are decreasing due to the inflation effect alone and the cost burdens are increasing in parallel, a sufficient amount for the twelve North Rhine-Westphalian Studierendenwerke for project funding, including for upcoming major topics such as digitization or climate neutrality, is desirable for the coming years.

Focus on redensification

In addition, the Studierendenwerk will continue to be required to invest considerable funds in the multi-digit million range in its own buildings in the large Mensas, as well as in the technology of the corresponding catering facilities and in student Accomodation over the next few years. There will also be a particular focus on creating new living space through densification on our own properties. The Studierendenwerk will also be required to constantly review its other services and organizational processes in order to achieve a sufficient annual result in the future.

Positive annual result due to special factors

The new organizational chart created in October 2021 meets the requirements for optimized organizational processes and improved internal communication channels. It is continuously reviewed and adapted to current requirements. For example, the creation of a staff position for sustainability management was decided in 2023. In the reporting year, work on the strategic direction with regard to clarifying relevant core issues in the Studierendenwerk was again carried out in several workshops with the management, department heads and department heads. Due to the business policy of commercial prudence, the Studierendenwerk’s financial liquidity is stable. This ensures that future necessary investments and unforeseeable situations can be mastered.

The 2023 financial year closed with an annual result of € +4,085.1 thousand. However, it should be noted that this positive annual result was influenced by numerous, largely one-off special factors, including one-off subsidies, energy price brakes, etc. Without the commitment of Studierendenwerk employees, it would not have been possible to solve many difficult tasks against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East. The employees continue to work hard for the benefit of the approximately 58,000 students at Münster’s universities.