1969 - 1979 - Foundation and development years

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  • The Integrated Diploma Program in Agricultural Science begins in Witzenhausen. The first research report of the GhK is presented

  • The state parliament passes the Hessian Higher Education Act and the Hessian University Act: the GhK becomes the fifth Hessian university alongside the TU Darmstadt, the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt, the Justus Liebig University Giessen and the Philipps University Marburg. It is now divided into 20 departments

  • The integrated diploma program in economics takes the place of the previous university of applied sciences program.
  • The Scientific Center for Professional and University Research and the Scientific Center for Psychoanalysis, Psychotherapy and Psychosocial Hygiene are founded as interdisciplinary research units.
  • At Holländischer Platz, the first former Henschel buildings are converted for the GhK. The new building Technik I/II at Mönchebergstraße 7 is started.
  • The expansion focus of the university shifts to the technical and natural sciences.


  • GhK establishes six interdisciplinary research groups
  • Completion of the AVZ III in Oberzwehre.

  • The Bundestag specifies the comprehensive university as a nationwide development goal in the Higher Education Framework Act; however, it is not realized.
  • A second block is added to the AVZ in Oberzwehren.
  • Dr. Hubert Sauer succeeds Abel as chancellor of the university.

  • Prof. Dr. Ernst-Ulrich von Weizsäcker becomes the new founding president.
  • The replacement of outdated courses of study is continued with the introduction of integrated diploma courses in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, architecture, urban and landscape planning.

  • The first "Integrated Diploma Program" based on the "Kassel Model" of tiered courses of study is established in social services.
  • The former Henschel site at Holländischer Platz is acquired: The central, new university quarter of the GhK is to be built here.

  • Diploma programs are established in physics and mathematics.
  • First postgraduate, supplementary and contact courses are offered.

  • The "Project Group Comprehensive University Kassel" is incorporated into the GhK administration as a planning group.
  • Dr. Vera Rüdiger is appointed founding president by the state government, and the GhK is admitted to the West German Rectors' Conference.
  • RA Horst Abels becomes head of administration, from 1973 chancellor.

  • The University of Fine Arts (HbK), the engineering schools in Kassel and Witzenhausen, the Higher Business School (HWF) and the pedagogical and social pedagogical training centers will be incorporated into the new university, and their study programs will be continued for the time being.

  • Teaching opens at the Gesamthochschule Kassel (GhK) on October 26 for 2,913 students for the 1971/72 winter semester.
  • The focus of the university's development in the "Aufbau- und Verfügungszentrum" (AVZ) at Heinrich-Plett-Strasse 40 in Kassel-Oberzwehren, which was built at short notice, is initially on the development of the reformed teacher training program and its range of academic subjects.
  • The Kassel Student Union begins its work.


  • The Hessian state government decides to establish an integrated comprehensive university in Kassel. On June 24, 1970, the state parliament passes the law on the establishment of the comprehensive university in Kassel.

  • Minister of Education Ludwig von Friedeburg presents a university development plan for Kassel and the Hessian higher education sector as a whole, which shows around 10,000 study places for the final expansion of Kassel Comprehensive University by 1990. The Science Council approves the establishment plan.
  • The Minister of Education appoints the "Kassel Comprehensive University Project Group" with seven full-time planners and appoints the founding advisory board.
  • The "Location Research Working Group" of the Technical University of Hanover hands over the micro expert report on the location issue.

  • The "Arbeitskreis Universität Kassel" (Kassel University Working Group) is constituted as a comprehensive citizens' initiative with the aim of establishing a university in Kassel as soon as possible. In 1977, the Kasseler Hochschulbund e.V. (from 2010: Universitätsgesellschaft Kassel e.V.) emerged from this group.