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 (in German) provides students at TU Dortmund University, Fachhochschule Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts and South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences with various food and drink options in 18 canteens and cafeterias (in German). From Monday to Friday, the cafeteria offers four basic dishes as well as three special meals and a salad and pasta buffet. Further (specialized) gastronomic offers are spread across the campus. The proportion of vegetarian and vegan dishes is at least 50%. The proportion of deep-fried dishes was reduced: By changing processes (e.g. the use of convection ovens), it was possible to reduce the fat content of some of the main courses without any noticeable loss of quality. Since March 2021, meals have no longer been served in disposable tableware for consumption outside the restaurant. Guests can use their own crockery or reusable crockery from a rental provider. Children of students receive a free children's menu up to the age of 10. A children's play corner has also been set up in the cafeteria. High chairs for children are available.

In April 2022, the Sustainability Office and the AStA of TU Dortmund University, together with the Studierendenwerk Dortmund, conducted a survey among the users of the Studierendenwerk's gastronomic offer. The main aim of the Sustainability Office was to communicate the impact and climate footprint of nutrition and thus ensure a more climate-friendly diet in the long term by providing individual decision-making support. This is in line with the Studierendenwerk's goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2030.

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.