The article quotes Daniel Hartmann, the mayor of Höxter, as saying that he first learned of the university’s plans from the newspaper. From TH OWL’s perspective, this account does not reflect what actually happened.
In fact, the university sought direct dialogue with the city early on and on multiple occasions to present the concept of the Höxter Common Good Campus and discuss it jointly. Several concrete offers for discussions were made, but not accepted.
“The claim that the university made no attempt to coordinate the concept with the city of Höxter does not reflect the actual course of events,” explains Dr. Christoph Harrach, project coordinator for the Common GoodCampus. “We actively sought dialogue on multiple occasions. The fact that this did not materialize was not due to a lack of initiative on the part of the university.”
The relevant contacts and offers to meet are documented; see the timeline below.
Especially for projects of high regional significance, such as the Common Good Campus, TH OWL considers a transparent and complete account of the processes to be important. The goal remains to develop viable prospects for the Höxter location together with local partners.
TH OWL therefore expressly and once again emphasizes its continued willingness to engage in dialogue and continues to invite representatives of the city and district of Höxter to a constructive exchange.
The university and its leadership are always ready to present the concept in person and to discuss prospects for the campus’s further development together. The goal remains to advance the positioning as a Common Good Campus together with the city and district in the best interests of the region.
Chronology of the exchange with the City of Höxter
For the sake of transparency, TH OWL documents the relevant attempts at contact:
November 10, 2025
First offer of a meeting from TH OWL to the City of Höxter to present and coordinate the new “Common Good Campus Höxter” concept. It was emphasized that the university wishes to contribute to the goal of “Common Good Region Höxter District” as formulated in the district development concept.
November 19, 2025
Rejection by the Mayor’s Office: The city deemed a meeting at the specified time to be unproductive.
November 28, 2025
Repeated offer by TH OWL to the mayor to present the Common Good Campus concept. The university requested that the city send proposed dates for a meeting.
December 2, 2025
Another rejection and notification that the Mayor’s Office would not be scheduling a meeting.
February 9, 2026
Personal exchange between Mayor Hartmann and Project Manager Dr. Harrach on the sidelines of the Klaus Töpfer Environmental Symposium on the topic of the “Common Good Campus.” Mayor once again declined further discussions.