Regensen (original

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power ...

name: '' Collegium Domus Regiæ'', English: ''The College of the Royal House'') is a

residential college A residential college is a division of a university that places academic activity in a community setting of students and faculty, usually at a residence and with shared meals, the college having a degree of autonomy and a federated relationship w ...

for students at the

University of Copenhagen The University of Copenhagen ( da, Københavns Universitet, KU) is a prestigious public university, public research university in Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Founded in 1479, the University of Copenhagen is the second-oldest university in ...

and

Technical University of Denmark The Technical University of Denmark ( da, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet), often simply referred to as DTU, is a polytechnic university and school of engineering. It was founded in 1829 at the initiative of Hans Christian Ørsted as Denmark's fir ...

(DTU). It is situated in the heart of the old city, right next to the

Rundetårn The Round Tower ( Danish: Rundetårn) is a 17th-century tower in Copenhagen, Denmark, one of the many architectural projects of Christian IV of Denmark. Built as an astronomical observatory, it is noted for its equestrian staircase, a 7.5-turn h ...

(the Round Tower).

History

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'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

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 ''Primus inter pares'' is a Latin phrase meaning first among equals. It is typically used as an honorary title for someone who is formally equal to other members of their group but is accorded unofficial respect, traditionally owing to their se ...

), 'Ping', 'Skrap' (Skræp - a sword owned by a danish mythical king), 'HOF' (

Carlsberg Carlsberg may refer to: Places * Carlsberg (district), a district in Copenhagen, Denmark ** Carlsberg station, its train station * Carlsberg, Germany, a municipality in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany * Carlsberg Fjord, Greenland Other uses * Carlsbe ...

s 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

* Ole Borch (1626-90), chemist, Borchs Kollegiums founder * Thomas Kingo (1634-1703),

bishop A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is ...

and

poet A poet is a person who studies and creates poetry. Poets may describe themselves as such or be described as such by others. A poet may simply be the creator ( thinker, songwriter, writer, or author) who creates (composes) poems ( oral or wr ...

Hans Gram Hans Gram may refer to: * Hans Christian Gram (1853–1938), Danish scientist who invented Gram staining * Hans Gram (composer) (1754-1804), Danish-American composer and musician * Hans Gram (historian) Hans Gram (28 October 1685– 19 February ...

(1685-1748), historiographer, head of the Royal library *

Hans Adolph Brorson Hans Adolph Brorson (20 June 1694 – 3 June 1764) was a Danish pietist clergyman, hymn write and translator of German language hymns. He served as Bishop of the Diocese of Ribe. Biography Brorson was born at the vicarage at Randerup in ...

(1694-1764), bishop and hymnal * Søren Gyldendal (1742-1802), bookseller and publisher *

Steen Steensen Blicher Steen Steensen Blicher (11 October 1782, Vium – 26 March 1848 in Spentrup) was an author and poet born in Vium near Viborg, Denmark. Biography Blicher was the son of a literarily inclined Jutlandic parson whose family was distantly ...

(1782-1848), author and pastor * Rasmus Rask (1787-1832), linguist * Poul Martin Møller (1794-1838), author and philosopher * Christian Winther (1796–1876), poet *

Andreas Peter Berggreen Andreas Peter Berggreen (March 2, 1801 – November 8, 1880) was a Danish composer, organist, and pedagogue. Berggreen was born and died in Copenhagen. As a child Peter began composing songs and melodies for the flute. He initially studied law be ...

(1801-1880), composer, creator of the four-part student song * Johan Nicolai Madvig (1804-86) philologist and politician *

Ditlev Gothard Monrad Ditlev Gothard Monrad (24 November 1811 – 28 March 1887) was a Danish politician and bishop, and a founding father of Danish constitutional democracy; he also led the country as Council President in its huge defeat during the Second Schlesw ...

(1811-1887), bishop and theologian, council president * Carl Ploug (1813-94), poet, editor, politician * Japetus Steenstrup (1813-97), zoologist and archaeologist * Jens Christian Hostrup (1818-92), poet and priest * Rasmus Malling-Hansen (1835-1890), priest, superintendent, inventor * Viggo Hørup (1841-1902), politician and journalist, co-founder of

Politiken ''Politiken'' is a leading Danish daily broadsheet newspaper, published by JP/Politikens Hus in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was founded in 1884 and played a role in the formation of the Danish Social Liberal Party. Since 1970 it has been indep ...

* Niels Ryberg Finsen (1860-1904), medicines, Nobel laureate * Vilhelm Buhl (1881-1954), Social Democratic Prime Minister *

Julius Bomholt Julius Bomholt (11 June 1896 – 2 January 1969) was a Danish politician representing the Social Democrats. He was a member of the Folketing 1929–1968 and served as speaker in 1945–1950 and again 1964–1968. He served as Minister of Educat ...

(1896-1969), high school principal and Social Democratic minister *

Kaj Munk Kaj Harald Leininger Munk (commonly called Kaj Munk) (13 January 1898 – 4 January 1944) was a Danish playwright and Lutheran pastor, known for his cultural engagement and his martyrdom during the Occupation of Denmark of World War II. He i ...

(1898-1944), priest and poet * Jørgen-Frantz Jacobsen (1900-38), Faroese author and historian *

Regin Prenter Regin Prenter (6 November 1907 Frederikssund – 15 December 1990) was a Danish Lutheran priest and theologian. Prenter studied theology at Copenhagen, where he belonged to the founding circle of Theologisk Oratorium and became friend of Fr Gabriel ...

(1907-90), theologian, professor * Jens Otto Krag (1914-78), Social Democratic Prime Minister *

K. B. Andersen Knud Børge Andersen (1 December 1914 – 23 March 1984) was a Danish politician, who served as Danish Minister of Education and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and held international offices. Biography Andersen finished his degree in political ...

(1914-83), Minister of Social Democracy, Speaker of the Folketing *

Simon Spies Simon Ove Christian Ogilvie Spies (1 September 1921 – 16 April 1984) was a Danish tycoon, best known for founding the charter airline Spies Rejser, and its airway company Conair of Scandinavia, and for his flamboyant lifestyle and womanising ...

(1921-1984), travel king *

Erik Amdrup Erik Amdrup (born 21 February 1923 in Visby, Tønder, Denmark, died 22 February 1998) was a Danish professor of surgery, doctor, and author. From 1965, Amdrup was assistant head doctor at Københavns Kommunehospital, from 1971 to 1988 he was h ...

(1923-1998), surgeon and author * Mogens Glistrup (1926-2008), politician and lawyer

External links

Homepage in Danish
{{Authority control University of Copenhagen Technical University of Denmark University and college residential buildings in Copenhagen