Student Leadership
At Rhodes University we pride ourselves on our slogan “where leaders learn”. Our students have a wide range of opportunities to develop and exercise leadership concepts and skills, many of which are available on campus in formal classes and officially-sponsored University organizations and groups. Other leadershop opportunities can be found in off-campus organizations which maintain working relationships with the University.
This website serves as a source of information for students who would like to benefit from these opportunities. It is unlikely that any single program or opportunity will provide the full range of knowledge or experience that is desirable. Nonetheless each of them can provide you with key components that, taken as a whole, will guide and inform your leadership exploration and education.
Good luck.
WHAT LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE AT RHODES?
1. Leadership through the Students Representative Council:
Election to the SRC brings students face to face with leadership issues. Students are expected to participate actively in all high-level University committees and to represent the student viewpoint in all forums. They run a full orientation programme for first years, and regularly engage with the student community both internally and nationally. A small financial incentive is paid to all SRC members.
Portfolios include:
* president
* vice president
* treasurer
* community development councillor
* entertainment councillor
* international affairs councillor
* societies councillor
* media officer
* academic councillor
* social awareness and activism councillor
* student benefits councillor
* residence councillor
2. Leadership in Halls of Residence:
Each residence within each Hall (including the Oppidan Hall) annually elects its own House Committee, which consists of a range of portfolios. These include:
* Senior Student (chairs all committee meetings, represents student views)
* Entertainment rep (organizes social functions in collaboration with students)
* Sports rep (organizes sporting activities in collaboration with students)
* Academic rep (runs the academic mentoring programme)
* Food rep (responsible for liaison between students and catering staff)
* Treasurer (in charge of finances for the year)
* ResNet rep (ensures computer connectivity in the res)
* Secretary (writes minutes, passes on information)
* Community engagement rep (organizes fund-raising events and social awareness)
All house committee members undergo limited leadership training before the start of each academic year, and are expected to engage fully in leading workshops for first year students
3. Leadership in Sport:
There are over 30 codes of sport at Rhodes, both competitive and non-competitive. These clubs fall under the Sports Administration office, and report to various Sports Officers. Each Club annually elects its own committee, and runs its own affairs for the year, including fund-raising, outings, membership recruitment and social activities. Portfolios include
* chairperson
* deputy chair
* treasurer
* secretary
* committee members
In addition, each team elects its own captain and vice captain.
4. Leadership through University Societies:
There are over 60 cultural societies at Rhodes, both competitive and non-competitive. These societies fall under the office of the Dean of Students, and report to the societies counsellor of the SRC. Each Society annually elects its own committee, and runs its own affairs for the year, including fund-raising, outings, membership recruitment and social activities. Portfolios include
* chairperson
* deputy chair
* treasurer
* secretary
* committee members
5. Leadership through the Class Representative system:
Each academic course at every level is required to elect a class representative (two, if the class is large), and these students liaise between the students in their class, the SRC academic councillor and the relevant academic department.
6. Leadership through Community Engagement:
Getting involved in the local community is a wholesome learning experience, and provides students with rich insights into the broader social issues confronting the wider society. While such work is not typical “leadership” training, the work students do with a wide range of very ordinary people greatly enhances their understanding of the human condition, and of how to engage with the community in striving towards mutual goals.
7. Leadership through Sub-Wardening:
The University appoints 2 or more Sub-Wardens to assist the warden in each residence. While such positions are salaried, they offer unique leadership experience, particularly in conflict resolution and democracy within the diverse residence community. All Sub-Wardens undergo some leadership training before starting their duties.
8. Leadership through the Academic Mentoring system:
This is a volunteer programme, coordinated through the Halls of Residence. Students who volunteer as mentors must have a proven track record in the relevant academic discipline. Mentoring on a one-on-one basis like this offers students the valuable learning experience involved in encouraging and guiding a struggling fellow student
9. Leadership through the Post-grad Liaison Committee:
This committee channels student concerns to Senior Management, and is represented on several Senate sub-committees, including the University Council. Post-grads in each department elect one representative.
In summary:
With fewer than 6000 students, there is a remarkably high number of opportunities to grow and develop as a future leader:
SRC 15 portfolios 15
House committees 43 residences x approx 8 portfolios 344
Sports clubs 30 x approx 6 portfolios 180
Sports teams Approx 60 teams x 2 120
Cultural societies 60 x approx 6 portfolios 360
Community engagement approx 300 positions in programmes 300
Class reps 1-2 rep per dept per year of study x 33 140
Post-grad liaison committee 1 rep per department 60
Mentoring system approx 100 100
Sub-Wardens 44 x approx 4 per res 176
Total opportunities available 1795
There is a 1 in 3 chance that you can get leadership experience at Rhodes!
