Health

Preventive health care on the campus of TU Dortmund University is provided by the Occupational Health Care, the Occupational Health Management (Betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement, BGM), the Psychological Student Advisory Service and the University Sports. In addition to mandatory and voluntary Occupational Safety Services, there are other consulting services for employees. The Student Health Management   Student Health Management (Studentisches Geusndheitsmanagement, SGM) (in German) will also be expanded further. 

The aim of the statutory Occupational Health Care (in German) is to detect work-related health problems at an early stage and to prevent work-related illnesses, including occupational illnesses. It is organized by the Office of Occupational Safety, Environmental and Health Protection together with an external company medical service. In addition to occupational health care, the Occupational Health Management (BGM) organizes preventative services for employees.

The Occupational Health Management (OHM) (Betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement) at TU Dortmund University promotes the health and well-being of employees through health offers such as continuing education, break-time activities, screenings, and counseling. In 2024, these services were utilized a total of 2,158 times. A health passport (internal link) with a rewards system encourages participation. The program is supplemented by special campaigns and a regular Health Week.

Source: Zahlen, Daten, Fakten 2024; p. 53

The TU Dortmund University's Staff Unit Occupational Rehabilitation Management (Betriebliches Eingliederungsmanagement, BEM) implements the legal German requirements of Occupational Rehabilitation (in German). TU Dortmund University’s BEM program provides employees with voluntary, confidential, and individualized support regarding health-related challenges, prevention, rehabilitation, and (phased) reintegration. It facilitates employee participation in decisions regarding measures such as workplace design or adjustments to working hours, and also offers caregiving counseling as well as an online caregiving support group for students.

Dortmund University’s  Psychological Student Advisory Service (PSB) provides students and employees with free and confidential support in difficult life situations. It offers individual counselling, group programmes and lectures to help develop coping strategies and skills.

The Social Contact Persons (Soziale Ansprechpartnerinnen, SAPa for short) offer employees collegial support in crisis situations. They advise on topics such as addiction, bereavement, and mobbing, and offer support in the event of psychological problems and conflicts in both the professional and private spheres.

The Studierendenwerk Dortmund provides students at various universities in the region with a diverse selection of food and beverages. The goal is to accommodate different dietary preferences, individual needs, and cultural backgrounds, as well as to promote sustainable practices in university dining. A large portion of the menu already consists of vegetarian and vegan dishes. The plant-based menu is continuously being expanded and supplemented with balanced, nutrient-rich meals. At the same time, measures are being implemented to reduce the fat content of individual dishes and to prevent food waste. Since 2021, disposable tableware has been phased out for takeout meals. Instead, guests can use their own reusable tableware or borrow it. To promote sustainable dietary choices, Studierendenwerk Dortmund participates in the KlimaTeller project (in German). Climate-friendly dishes are labeled accordingly, highlighting the impact of food choices on the climate. In conjunction with this, surveys and informational campaigns were conducted in collaboration with university partners and student representatives to raise awareness about sustainable eating and to better understand guests’ dietary habits. For students’ children, amenities available in the main cafeteria include the free KinderWerksteller children’s meal set, high chairs, and a children’s play area.

University Sports Dortmund (hsp) (Hochschulsport) offers students and staff a diverse range of sports and fitness activities, including 85 different sports, around 900 classes, and numerous sporting events and competitions. Among the established events are the annual Campus Run, the Soccer Campus League, and the “Fitnessförderwerk (FFW)” gym (550 members; all figures are for the year 2025).

In addition, the campus offers a wide range of opportunities for individual and self-organized physical activity. Freely accessible sports facilities, such as the bouldering wall, calisthenics equipment, and table tennis tables, can be used without prior reservation. Bookable sports facilities, including those for soccer and padel, are also available.

Inclusion and accessibility are also key components of hsp. People with disabilities receive individualized counseling and support in finding suitable programs (in German). With Showdown (in German) for people with visual impairments, there is also a specifically inclusive sports program. The sports facilities at Otto-Hahn-Straße 3, including the expansion building, are designed to be accessible.