The Albertina: “A University for the Growth of the Sciences”?

Emanuel's life changed radically when he entered the University of Königsberg. During his previous school years, all his activities had been highly regimented. Upon entering the university, he experienced for the first time the freedom to study any subject that interested him and to spend the day as he chose. No one could tell him what he had to do and when. No one could force him to search his soul for depravities. He now was on his own. He left the house of his father, but did not enter any of the boarding houses that existed for students of lesser means. Rather, he took up his own quarters. Having become a member of the university, or an “academic citizen” (akademischer Bürger), he was not directly subject to the rules administered by the officials of the city of Königsberg, but was first and foremost subject to the officials of the university. Much like the guilds, the university was a largely independent corporation. Emanuel's new status brought with it a number of rights and privileges. An academic citizen not only had the right to go to the lectures and to use the resources of the university, but also was free from the direct demands of the city and the state, which included protection from being drafted into the army.