Since the autumn
semester of 2021, a multi-religious and plural room of silence is open at the
University of Bern. The Room of Silence facilitates the compatibility of
studies and faith and/or worldview. In addition, the Room of Silence is a place
where students and staff of different faiths and worldviews come together.
The opening hours of the Room of Silence correspond to the opening hours of the Unitobler buildings:
Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
During the lecture-free period, the opening hours might differ.
The Room of Silence is located in the
Unitobler building at Länggassstrasse 49.
The room number is B-105.
See the video below for directions.
Barrier-free accessibility: The room is barrier-free accessible via the elevator to the left after the entrance in the building at Länggassstrasse 49 or via the elevator in the building at Lerchenweg 36.
The Room of Silence is open to individuals and groups for meditation, prayer, and silence. All religious and secular students and employees of the University of Bern, the Bern Universities of Applied Sciences (FH), the Bern University of Teacher Education (PH), and other Swiss universities can use the room. The following principles apply in order to achieve a peaceful experience:
1. The room of silence is mainly for the use of individuals. Silence should be maintained during the opening hours.
2. During defined time windows, members of the Association Room of Silence at University of Bern hold events in the room, such as meditations. Groups that are not members of the Association can apply to the Association for the use of the room for individual events.
3. The use of the room must be compatible in content with the purpose of the room - namely, to be available to individuals and groups for meditation, prayer, and silence.
The general administrative and house rules for the Unitobler buildings where the room is located apply in the Room of Silence.
The Association Room of Silence at University of Bern also defines the following rules of conduct:
· ensuring silence;
· no wearing of street shoes;
· no use of electronic devices during individual use;
· no sleeping;
· no consumption of food;
· utensils brought in by the participants themselves must be taken back when leaving the room.
The Room of Silence is intended to provide an occasion for members of different faiths and worldviews to meet. The Association Room of Silence intends to promote intercultural, interdenominational, and interreligious exchange as well as mutual understanding and appreciation in everyday university life. For this purpose, public events are organised by the Association Room of Silence and the Association participates at other events with this purpose.
The responsibility for the Room of Silence lies with the Association Room of Silence. Currently, the Association consists of the following members:
· Christian University Group VBG Bern
· Muslim Students and Alumni Association Bern (MSAB)
· Association of Jewish Students Bern (VJSB)
· Department of Theology and Interreligious Studies
· aki - Catholic university chaplaincy
· forum3 - Reformed university chaplaincy
The Association is open to other religious and secular university groups. Please contact us if you are interested in joining.