Rhodes University Dorms, Information about Rhodes Halls of Residence is shown below.Follow the links to determine more about these Halls and gain an understanding of their traditions, culture and lifestyle.
Allan Webb consists of Canterbury, Canterbury Annex, Salisbury, Truro and Winchester.The smallest hall on campus situated in the beautiful and historic grounds of St.Peter’s. It has four residences for men and women, built at the turn of the century, named after British cathedral cities.
Courtenay-Latimer consists of Beit, Jameson and Oriel. Located in the heart of campus, Courtenay-Latimer Hall is the home of a vibrant group of young women. Living in Courtenay-Latimer Hall is an experience;one that ensures that one becomes part of a special group of well educated, dynamic, fun loving women.
Desmond Tutu Hall consists of Ellen Kuzwayo, Amina Cachalia, Calata, Margaret Smith, Hilltop 3 and Oakdene. This hall was formally know as Hill Top Hall.
Drostdy Hall consists of Allan Gray, Celeste, Graham, and Prince Alfred. Drostdy Hall has the best geographic situation on campus as it is close to the heart of campus but is also very close to the town. It has both men’s and women’s houses.
Founders consists of Botha, College, Cory and Matthews. The Hall is centrally situated on campus and is the oldest Hall on campus for men. Many of the traditional hall activities are still maintained over successive generations.
Hobson consists of Dingemans, Hobson, Livingstone and Milner. This hall for women combines both an old and new residence style. Hobson Hall is situated among lawns, plane trees and a lovely braai area. It holds academic attainment in high regard.
Smuts consists of Adamson, Atherstone, Jan Smuts and New. A scenic stream runs through the grounds of this Hall for men and women. Its ample lawns and trees are ideal for informal games and quiet relaxation. Found in an ideal setting near the tennis courts, squash courts and the swimming pool of Rhodes campus.
Miriam Makeba Hall consists of Chris Hani, Piet Retief, Thomas Pringle and Walker. This is the first side of the “Hill” and has two women’s houses and one men’s house.
Kimberley West consists of Cullen Bowles, De Beers, Rosa Parks and Goldfields. This hall comprises four residences on the second side of the “Hill”.
Lilian Ngoyi consists of Centenary, Ruth First, Joe Slovo and Victoria Mxenge. Lilian Ngoyi Hall is a relatively new Hall on campus and was constituted in 2009. Being a new Hall, we are making use of the unique opportunity to develop our own ethos, atmosphere and traditions. Founded on the principles of strength, love and courage, we pledge to infuse a spirit of engagement, responsibility and service in our community.
Mandela consists of Stanley Kidd, Adelaide Tambo, Guy Butler and Helen Joseph. The Nelson Mandela Hall is the youngest Hall on campus comprising of both men’s and women’s houses. The modern facilities, set in awesomely landscaped gardens, combined with the energetic and young wardening team, make Nelson Mandela Hall a great place to be.
St Mary consists of John Kotze, Lilian Britten, Olive Schreiner and Phelps. The Hall comprises four residences attractively grouped around a central Dining Hall in lovely gardens. The Hall caters for both undergraduate and postgraduate female students.
Use this Google map to help you find your way around town and campus: Rhodes & surrounds
Why consider living in a residence?
Rhodes University is more than just an institution of tertiary education, it is a community. There is something special about it which makes alumni keep in touch with the University and with one another years after they leave and sometimes even from the other side of the world. The Rhodes residential system is a key factor contributing to this tradition of friendship and kinship.
The majority of Rhodes undergraduate students live in twelve halls of residence. Each hall has between three and six houses of between 50 to 120 students, grouped around a central dining hall. Each hall has its own constitution, rules and traditions. Each residence has its own character, created by the students who live there. Some halls have both men’s and women’s houses, while others are for men or women only. While the vast majority of student rooms are single, some first year students may be allocated to the few double rooms in various residences; application may also be made for a double room.
Each hall has a Hall Warden who is responsible for the general running, organisation and management of the hall. A hall committee, consisting of the house wardens, sub-wardens and senior and head students of each house in the hall, acts as an advisory body to the hall warden. A house committee, consisting of the house warden, sub-wardens and members elected by the students, takes the same kind of responsibility in matters affecting the house. In this microcosm of the democratic process each student can play a role in formulating the lifestyle of their house or hall. Hall and house wardens are always available to help and advise students, but their function is not that of a surrogate parent or ‘watchdog’. Rules are kept to the minimum needed for maintaining an orderly, peaceful environment conducive to studying and community living.
Life in residence: The rooms in residence are equipped with all the basic furniture and comforts needed, but students may decide to bring a few extras to make their rooms feel more like home. All rooms have a bed, wardrobe, mirror, worktable and chair, table lamp, bookcase, carpeting or a mat, and a heater. Many rooms have a small bedside locker and a washbasin (with hot and cold water in certain residences). Curtains and bedding are provided, but towels are not, so three or four towels should be brought by students, including swimming towels. Students are responsible for cleaning their own rooms, for which basic cleaning materials are provided. Students often wish to set an individual stamp on their rooms. This can be done in several ways, perhaps by substituting their own curtains, duvet cover and carpet. A bean bag or cushions make the furnishings more interesting. Other useful items might include a tray, coffee mugs, kettle, jug, teaspoons and glasses, coat hangers, an alarm clock and a torch (as no candles are permitted).
The residences are graded according to their location and to the facilities available (e.g. availability of hot and cold water in each room). Each residence has at least one TV lounge with DSTV and DVD access. Over the years, students in certain residences have raised funds for the purchase of additional amenities such as pool tables. Each residence has its own ‘launderette’.
Some residence Halls have their own web pages which give a good idea of residence life at Rhodes University; links to these pages can be found at: http://www.ru.ac.za/studentlife/residences
Some basic guidelines are common to all the residences:
1. Privacy: A student may not enter other students’ rooms without their permission.
2. Hours of quiet: Reasonable quiet is expected at all times and particularly before 12 noon, between 2.00 pm and 5.00 pm and from 8.00 pm onwards.
3. Alcohol: There are strict regulations governing alcohol on campus or in any residence. No spirits are permitted in residence.
4. Night leave: Students are requested, in their own interest, to let someone know where they are at night.
5. Catering: Balanced meals are planned on a two week cycle, ensuring that the nutritional needs of students are met. As previously mentioned, various diets are available e.g. vegetarian, Muslim, Hindu, African. Student representatives meet regularly with catering staff to discuss problems and make suggestions.
6. Insurance: The University does not accept responsibility for students’ possessions if lost, stolen or damaged, so students are advised to lock their bedroom doors. It is also advisable to check that possessions are covered by personal insurance, particularly in the case of foreign students.
7. Clothing: Grahamstown weather can do a whistle-stop tour of all four seasons in a day, so students will need some summer clothes in winter and vice versa. Casual clothes are worn to lectures, but some formal and semi-formal outfits should be included for balls, dinners, dances and parties.
Name tags should be sewn into clothing.
8. Pocket money: Rhodes life is inexpensive and large amounts of money are unnecessary. Depending on what needs to be provided, an amount of R350 to R500 per month should be adequate. A bank account that can be accessed through an ATM is a useful way of transferring money. There are ATMs on campus.