Regensen

Regensen (original Latin name: Collegium Domus Regiæ, English: The College of the Royal House) is a residential college for students at the University of Copenhagen and Technical University of Denmark (DTU). It is situated in the heart of the old city, right next to the Rundetårn (the Round Tower).

Regensen
Collegium Domus Regiæ
The courtyard of Regensen, with the Rundetaarn in background
General information
LocationStore Kannikestræde 2
Town or cityCopenhagen
CountryDenmark
Construction started1623
Completed1628
Opened1624
ClientKing Christian IV
AffiliationUniversity of Copenhagen

History
Regensen seen from Store Kannikestræde in 1749

Commissioned by King Christian IV and inaugurated by Royal Charter by on 1 July 1623, Regensen has for centuries provided a unique living and working environment for 100 students. Some of the buildings burned down along with the rest city in the Great Fire of Copenhagen in 1728, but was rebuilt the same year.

Regensen in the 1840s with Rundetårn in the background

Regensen's mission is to provide housing to talented yet non-privileged students at the University of Copenhagen (KU) and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). Until the 1980s, the foundation behind Regensen, Kommunitetet, provided free housing and a scholarship for students chosen for admission. Because of financial difficulties, a small fee was introduced, which helps to contribute toward the cost of utilities, which today is around DKK 1,600 per month. This is still well under housing price levels in Copenhagen and Regensen thus continues to provide financial stability for its students. This is why living in Regensen is considered as a scholarship.

It is the second oldest of the old dormitories of the University of Copenhagen, and many old student traditions live on making the place very lively. Danish citizens studying at the University of Copenhagen or the Technical University of Denmark who have completed two years of full-time studies (120 ECTS points) and have an average grade of at least 7 (in the Danish grading system), can be considered for admission to one of its 100 rooms. Applications are open twice a year, corresponding with the start of the Spring and Autumn semesters. Applications are typically quite competitive, with more than 200 applications for around 5 to 10 spots.

Since 2013, once a year, two scholarships for foreign students are awarded in honour of Jonas Thomsen Sekyere.

Many of Denmark's major social and political debates through the ages have taken shape in the College, through the many prominent alumni ranging from scientists to dramatists, novelists, poets and politicians. Regensen is also characterised by an intricate calendar of special feast days that are observed in the Great Hall with a complex array of festive traditions.

Provost

The Provost (original Danish name: Regensprovsten) is an employed researcher at the University of Copenhagen who lives at Regensen, typically with a family. The role of the provost is special, but can perhaps best be compared to a superintendent. In Anglo-Saxon countries, the term provost is used for a similar position. The powers of the provost are demarcated in the Regensen's democracy, which is rooted in the General Assembly and the Great Regens Council. At other older dormitories, an efor is associated with approximately the same functions, but typically without residing in the dormitories, like Valkendorfs, Borchs, Elers. Once a semester, the Provost invites the new residents and the Klokkers for dinner in their home. It is a cozy gathering, which gives the Provost the chance to get to know the new students and vice versa.

Clubs

The residents of Regensen organize themselves in small 'clubs' in which they gather to eat, drink and socialize. The current clubs are: 'Gamle' ('Old'), 'Siqno', 'Konvencio' (formerly Konventet), 'PIP' (Primus Inter Pares), 'Ping', 'Skrap' (Skræp - a sword owned by a danish mythical king), 'HOF' (Carlsbergs HOF), 'Tilia', and 'Uglen' ('The Owl').

Governance

Here are some of the political/governance events that make up during the year at Regensen:

The General Assembly

In happens at the beginning of each semester, and the duty of the assembly is mainly approve the budget of the previous year, and select new students for internal posts ('embeder'). The Assembly happens at midnight in the Grand Hall, and is preceded by dinners in the Societies spread across Regensen, where negotiations take place in order to secure certain posts. In this way, many deals are made before the official democratic vote.

Little Regens Council Meeting

It happens during each semester, once or twice, and is announced by the Klokker. Here, the main problems and questions of the Regensians are exposed, and an agenda is produced. Regensians can also apply for funding to spend in projects or initiatives, which are voted by the meeting itself.

Large Regens Council Meeting

At the Large Regens Council Meeting, the Regensians make proposals, which can be voted through at the General Assembly. These might concern statute changes, financial support for projects and initiatives, and appointments of internal posts (embeder). It is also during this meeting that the budget from each internal post is presented and approved. These meetings are often characterized by long discussions about traditions, renewals and statutes.

Famous residents

55°40′52″N 12°34′30″E

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