Emergency Money Vouchers for On-campus Living

This emergency money voucher, printed in October 1923 by the Karlsruhe Association of Student Services, exemplifies a level of support for academic living that far surpasses current day-to-day needs. During the hyperinflation of that year, the German Empire’s currency, the reichsmark, lost so much value that it became practically unusable. For instance, a 280-million-reichsmark subsidy intended for building academic sports facilities depreciated so drastically during the transfer transaction of the money, that by the time it reached the Polytechnic’s account, it could only cover the cost of a few sheets of drawing paper. The cash desks of Karlsruhe Student Services were a focal point for most transactions on campus. In 1921, it had opened a refectory in the architecture building’s basement, becoming a hub of daily student life. This association, established in 1919, took on student welfare responsibilities at the Polytechnic four years later as part of Student Affairs (Studentenwerk). The issuance of emergency exchange vouchers was an attempt to create an independent functioning payment system. Such a facility on campus thus offered a service similar to ones set up by many municipal authorities during this turbulent period. kn