Botanicum – Centre for Student Affairs

The “Botanicum” at Schlossgarten 3 is one of the important “first stops” for students. The University of Münster has gone to a lot of work and expense to renovate and expand the former Botanical Institute. With 4,200 square metres of floor space, the spacious two-storey brick building houses central advisory and service facilities relating to studying at the University of Münster.

Central location

From the rear entrance of the Schloss, it is only a few steps to the "Botanicum" on the south side of the Botanical Garden. Close by are the "Landgericht/Schlossplatz Süd", "Hüfferstiftung" and "Schlossplatz" bus stops. A  map of the public transport network [de] can be obtained from Münster Stadtwerke (municipal utilities). Cyclists park directly at the "Botanicum". If you come by car, it’s best to park at Schlossplatz. Students and staff with disabilities will find special parking spaces for them next to the building.

Campus map

Further offers

• Department for Students with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses at the General Students’ Committee (AStA) at the University of Münster

  The autonomous AStA Department for Students with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses [en] represents the interests of all students who are at a disadvantage during their studies as a result of physical or mental impairment. The department works towards a barrier-free university as well as equality for disabled and chronically ill students.

• Senate-appointed student representative for the interests of disabled and chronically ill students

  There is a Senate-appointed student representative for the interests of disabled and chronically ill students, and she endeavours to ensure that account is taken of the special needs of these particular groups and, in particular, that the statutory provisions relating to them are observed to their benefit. She is especially involved in the planning and organisation of teaching and study conditions, as well as compensation for disadvantages as regards

  • access and admission to courses of study,
  • courses of study themselves, and
  • examinations.

  Anyone with a complaint can contact her. In addition, the Senate-appointed representative is involved in working groups and projects:
  In collaboration with the ‘Studying with Impairments’ Coordination Unit and the Department for the Disabled, she is working on the development of a digital pedestrian lights system for barrier-free university buildings.

  Contact

  Kübranur Binek
  +49 251 83-22022
  Email: senatsbeauftragung.bucks@uni-muenster.de
  Consultation hours (on site or online): by appointment
  Room 35 on the first floor of the Botanicum

   

Rooms

• Student learning rooms

  In the “Botanicum" there are three rooms for students to learn in, as well as a “learning loft” – which is situated in the refurbished attic over the lecture hall and comprises around 45 workstations. The rooms are accessible via entrance D and can be used Monday through Friday from 10 am to 9:30 pm.

• Student organisations and university groups

  Student organisations and university groups can book two event rooms in the "Botanicum" for evening events (Monday – Friday, 6 pm – 9:15 pm). All reservations and bookings are arranged through the Central Room Allocation office.

About the building

• 

  Renovation

  The building at Schlossgarten 3 is a narrow, elongated and symmetrically designed structure situated on the periphery of the Schlossgarten. The massive, two-storey brick building with lattice windows is a typical example of the architectural style of Münster’s post-war reconstruction efforts. It features sandstone cornices, frames and ornamentation around the exterior doors and stairways, and a slate roof with integrated dormers.

  The building was completely renovated and expanded. It received an annex on the west side and an extension on the south side: The modern single-storey seminar wing with a new foyer and welcome point was attached to the existing building to the south and partly 'embedded' into the castle wall. The various uses are distributed over approx. 4,200 square metres.

• 

  History

  The Botanical Institute was Münster’s first research facility for biology, designed by the royal master foreman Böhnert and constructed at the south end of the Botanical Garden in 1896-97. Behind its neo-classical facade, the institute contained laboratories, offices, a library and collection rooms. While the central section of the building was largely destroyed during World War II, the lecture hall, added in 1911, remained standing. Therefore, it was decided to rebuild the ensemble on its former foundation walls from 1949 to 1953. The construction work was supervised by the director of the State Building Authority II, Friedrich Knolle. He adhered to a traditional architectural style which was typical in the early 1950s in Münster. Despite the emphasis on simplicity, the building contains several surprising architectural flourishes, such as the fitted glass cases in the entrance area and library, and the high-quality materials used in the reconstruction.
  In the following decades, the building was renovated and extended several times to meet the research demands of the day, the largest of which was the construction of a new laboratory wing at the beginning of the 1970s. Despite these additions and renovations, the characteristic features of Friedrich Knolle’s plans remained intact.
  The Botanical Institute along with its preserved equipment from the 1950s was designated a historical landmark in 2018 as a characteristic example of the reconstruction architecture of the early 1950s.