Hobson Hall Rules 2012

Rules and Information 

The purpose of this insert is:

a) to provide general information about Hobson Hall and its residences, and

b) to set out the rules applicable to Hobson Hall (known as the Hobson Hall Rules)

c) to provide a copy of the Constitution of the Hall

 

NB      ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO CONFORM TO THE RULES OF THE UNIVERSITY AS PUBLISHED IN THE STUDENT DISCIPLINARY CODE IN THE UNIVERSITY CALENDAR AND THE HOBSON HALL RULES IN THIS BOOKLET.

 

 

ORGANISATION OF THE HALL

Hobson Hall consists of four women’s residences – Dingemans House (76 Students), Hobson House (75 Students), Livingstone House (36 Students), Milner House (63 Students), 5 Gilbert Street (5 Students), 6 Gilbert Street (4 Students) and the Gilbert Street Post Graduate Annex (8 Students).

 

It is the duty of all students to familiarise themselves with all the rules of Hobson Hall.

 

The Hall’s address is:

(Name of Student)

(Name of House / Residence)

Private Bag X 1030

GRAHAMSTOWN

6140

 

• Please ensure that the name of your residence is shown on all correspondence sent to you. Changes of home addresses and telephone numbers should be promptly reported to the House Warden and the appropriate forms filled in at the Student Bureau.

 

• The Hall Warden is the chief executive, administrative and disciplinary officer of the Hall.  The Hall Committee, which comprises of the Hall and House Wardens, the Hall Senior Student, the Heads of Houses, the Sub-Wardens, the Student Representative Council Representative and the Fellows of the Hall.

 

• Each House Warden is responsible to the Hall Warden for the welfare and discipline of students in her house and for the maintenance of the fabric of her house and its moveable assets.

 

• The House Committee is elected by the Students at the end of each year in accordance with the Hall Constitution. The members of the House Committee act as an advisory committee to the House Warden.

 

STAFF OF HOBSON HALL

HALL WARDEN                                            Mrs Ruth Jackson (Resides in Milner House)

                                                                        Tel: 046 – 603 8855 (h)

                                                                        Tel: 046 – 603 8372 (w)

                                                                        Cell : 072 675 4292

                                                                        Fax: 086 619 8374

                                                                        E-mail: r.jackson@ru.ac.za                                                   

 

HALL ADMINISTRATOR                             Chantelle van Niekerk (Office in Milner House)

                                                                        Tel: 046 – 603 8578 /Cell: 072 108 9640                               

 

HALL SENIOR STUDENT                           Miss Desiree Rapula (Resides in Hobson House)

 

SRC REPRESENTATIVE                             Miss Cacharel Wroots (Resides in Dingemans House)

 

HOUSEKEEPER                                           Mrs Patty Stone (Office in Hobson House)

 

HOUSES                                          

a)         DINGEMANS HOUSE

            WARDEN                                           Ms Tracey Chambers

            SUB-WARDENS                                Miss Lihle Mancoba

                                                                                    Miss Fiku Hamunime

                                                                        Miss Linda Odhiambo

            HEAD STUDENT                               Miss Mohau Maleeme

 

b)         HOBSON HOUSE    

            WARDEN                                           Mrs Carol Venter

            SUB-WARDENS                                Miss Kumbirai Mazana  

                                                                        Miss Jenna McNamara

                                                                        Miss Keamo Tshepe

            HEAD STUDENT                               Miss Bantu Bungane

 

c)         LIVINGSTONE HOUSE

            WARDEN                               Ms Zuki Kota

            SUB-WARDENS                                Miss Nonjabulo Hlophe

                                                                        Miss Lillian Mudzokora

            HEAD STUDENT                               Miss Vhahangwele Nemakonde          

 

d)         MILNER HOUSE

            WARDEN                                           Mrs Ruth Jackson

            SUB-WARDENS                                Miss Zimasa Mei  

                                                                    Miss Palesa Radebe                                  

            HEAD STUDENT                               Miss Ayanda Msimang

 

GENERAL RULES AND INFORMATION

 

1.         ABSENCE FROM RESIDENCE

• Students must sign the Weekend Book which will be on a table in each House, giving details of their destination and a contact phone number. 
• If you are not able to return from vacation within a day or two of residence re-opening please inform your Warden.

 

2.         ALCOHOL

            POSSESSION AND CONSUMPTION OF LIQUOR/ALCOHOL

• No student may possess or consume any liquor other than beer, wine or sherry whilst on the premises of Hobson Hall i.e. the Residences, Dining Hall, the grounds and environs thereof. 
• No spirits e.g. whisky, brandy, gin etc are allowed. 
• Beer, cider, wine, sherry, in moderate quantities only, may be consumed only in:

            (a) Students Rooms; or

            (b) On occasions with the consent of the Hall Warden in the Common Room.

            (c) After 5 p.m.

 

FOR THE SAKE OF CLARITY, this means that no liquor may be consumed in the Dining Hall, the Passages, Bathrooms, Toilets and Entrance Foyers or Duty Rooms of the Houses, the Grounds and the environs of the Hall and Houses.

• Students may not carry open bottles or glasses of liquor in the areas mentioned above.
• No liquor of any sort may be sold, bartered or exchanged at any time.

            (This is in accordance with an instruction from the Vice Chancellor as these        acts contravene the Liquor Act).

• No “parties” may be held in private rooms or the Common Rooms without the Hall Wardens authority. Loud Noise with or without music and alcohol will be construed as being a party.
• Under no circumstances may any liquor be given to any University employee for any reason at any time.

 

3.         ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

• Every student must sign the ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE Book at the beginning and end of each term and leave their room keys.

 
4.         BOXROOMS

• These are rooms available for students to leave their belongings during vacations when they need to pack up their rooms.
• Keys to the box rooms are handled ONLY by the Hall Warden, House Warden and Sub-Wardens of each residence.
• During term time, the keys are locked in the House Warden’s Key Cabinet or safe.
• NO Box Room keys are EVER be made available to Conference Wardening Staff.
• NO Box Rooms are opened during any vacation.
• If you do not put your boxes in the Box Rooms during the vacations and leave them in the passages they will be donated to charity.

           

5.         IF YOU ARE LEAVING THE RESIDENCE FOR GOOD

• Anything left behind and not fetched by you before the end of the 1st vacation (April) will be disposed of.
• Make sure you remove all your belongings from the box-rooms when you finally pack up or when you collect your belongings.
• Please return your Dallas Chip (in an envelope with your name and student number) to Residence Operations if you wish to receive a refund.

 

6.         IF YOU ARE RETURNING THE FOLLOWING YEAR

• You may leave your trunks, boxes, etc in the box-rooms or storage cupboards (if available) at your own risk.
• No luggage or boxes etc are to be left on the landings or in passages.
• Please securely seal your boxes, trunks, and label your belongings clearly.
• Number your boxes and record your belongings on the list on the Box Room door.

 

7.         CLEANLINESS AND HYGIENE

• Bedrooms, common rooms, corridors, bathrooms and toilets must be kept tidy.
• Students must keep their rooms acceptably tidy and clean.
• Please leave bathrooms and toilets in the condition you would like to find them. This applies also to utility areas.
• No washing may be hung at or out of windows or left to drip on room or bathroom floors.
• Net Curtains must be drawn aside and on no account may they be knotted or hooked up at any time.

 
 

8.         COOKING

• The cooking of meals or the making of snacks (using electrical appliances) in residence is not permitted.

 

9.         DAMAGE AND LOSS OF UNIVERSITY PROPERTY

• In the case of damage to, or loss of, University property the student or students responsible, if known, will be required to bear the cost and if not known, such cost will be charged either against a particular group of students or against the general fund of the body of students, i.e. House Committee Funds.
• If any room or its contents (walls, doors, windows, floor, furniture, fittings, etc) is damaged in any way, the student occupant will be liable for the cost of repairs.
• Room Statements must be completed and handed to a sub-warden within two days of a student’s arrival. Failure to do so will result in a student being held responsible for any damage to and/or loss of property subsequently found in the room concerned.

 

10.       DELIVERIES

• All deliveries, dry cleaning, repairs, etc should be sent to the Hall Administrator, the Kitchen or to the House Warden if the kitchen is closed.

 

11.       DINING HALL

            COMPLAINTS REGARDING FOOD AND SERVICE

• Any complaints about the food or service in the Dining Hall must be recorded in the “Food Comments” book provided in each House.
• The elected House Food Representative will direct your comments or complaints to the Manager Catering Services and Hall Warden.

 

12.       DINING HALL RULES

• No one may enter the Dining Hall for any reason other than for a meal and having booked a meal.
• No food may be taken out of the Dining Hall except THE STUDENT’S OWN PORTION OF fruit and two slices of bread at Dinner time.
• Students are expected to be appropriately dressed for meals and footwear must be worn (No slippers and pajamas allowed). 
• Courtesy towards our catering and housekeeping staff is expected.
• All meals are served on a cafeteria type basis.
• Meals are block booked for the entire year, and on Registration, the student is booked into a specific diet, e.g. Vegetarian, Halaal, Default etc.
• If a meal is not required it must be un-booked 48 hours ahead.
• A meal may be un-booked and two meals booked in its place should a student wish to bring a guest into the Dining Hall for a meal.
• Those meals unbooked during the year are credited to the student’s account on the last day of the 2nd Term and last day of the 4th Term. (Limited to the amount in the Fees Booklet). NO CASH CHANGES HANDS AT ALL.

 

13.       MEAL TIMES

            BREAKFAST                       Monday – Fridays                7.00 - 8.15am

                                                       Saturdays & Sundays  8.00 - 9.15am

            LUNCH                                  Daily                                       12.00 - 2.00pm

            DINNER                                Daily                                       5.00 - 6.30pm

 

• Meals may be requested for ill or injured students with the written permission of the Warden.
• Students may request a “packed meal” by completing the relevant documentation required – obtainable from the Kitchen or Hall Administrators Office, and handing in such form timeously (48 Hours before required date).
• Crockery and cutlery to be returned to Dining Hall promptly.
• If plates, cups, cutlery etc belonging to the University are found in Residences, the House Committee funds will be charged a levy of R5 per item.

 

14.       SPECIAL FUNCTIONS/FORMAL DINNERS

• Several special functions are held during the year - dates are announced in advance.
• Punctuality is requested.

 

15.       DISCIPLINE

• All students are required to conform to the rules of the University as published in the Student Disciplinary Code (published in the University Calendar and the Hobson Hall Rules in this booklet.
• The Hall Warden is the chief executive, administrative and disciplinary officer of the hall.
• Each House Warden is responsible to the Hall Warden for the welfare and discipline of the students in her house. The Sub-Wardens are the Wardens deputies. The House Committee is elected by the students at the end of each year in accordance with the constitution. The members of the House Committee act as intermediaries between the students and wardens.
• Certain disciplinary powers have been delegated to members of the House Committee and to the Sub-Wardens by the Hall Committee, with the approval of the Senate, to be used at their discretion.

 
 

16.       AIDING AND ABETTING

• It is an offence for students to aid and abet other students to break the rules of the Hall or the University.

 

17.       CONDUCT

• No student of Hobson Hall may engage in any form of conduct that may reasonably be regarded as unbecoming, be it on or off the University Campus.
• The Hall Warden has the right to exclude from resident any student who, by her behavior or actions, brings the Hall into disrepute. Similarly, any student who persistently ignores the rules laid down by the Hall Committee may be refused admission to the Hall for the following year.            
• Ignorance of the rules is no excuse.

 

18.       PENALTIES

• Penalties may be imposed by the Hall or House Wardens and the Sub-Wardens for infringements of these rules in accordance with the provisions of the Student Disciplinary Code.
• The maximum penalties that may be imposed are -

a)         Hall Warden or Hall Disciplinary Committee = 12,5% of the Bachelor of Arts         Degree fee; exclusion from residence in the Hall.

b)         House Wardens, House Disciplinary Committee and Sub-Wardens = 7,5% of      the Bachelor of Arts Degree fee.

 

19.       PLEA OF DRUNKENNESS

• You are reminded that in terms of a Senate Resolution, drunkenness is an aggravating and not a mitigating circumstance.
• You are also reminded that drunk and disorderly conduct will not be tolerated.     It is regarded as “Conduct Unbecoming”.

 

20.       RIGHTS

• Before any disciplinary action is taken against you, you have the right:

       to be given the particulars of the alleged disciplinary offence, and to 24 hours           notice of the disciplinary hearing (only if you are denying the charge), to put        forward your side of the story to the Warden, Sub-Warden, etc.

     

21.       REVIEW

• If you consider that -

a)    the penalty imposed on you is so excessive as to be unjust,

            the facts found proved do not constitute an offence, or

b)    that you have been prejudiced by not being afforded your rights in (and other similar complaints)

c)    you may have the matter reviewed either by the Hall Warden or by a Proctor. Speak to your Warden or Sub Warden immediately if you wish to take a matter on review.

• It is a serious disciplinary offence to give false or incorrect information when a student is asked by Campus Protection or a member of the University staff to supply his/her name and/or place of residence.

 

22.       ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES

• Students’ attention is drawn to the University’s rules regarding the use of electricity.
• Every student room has a square pin wall plug and a round pin wall plug. Square pin wall plugs may only be used for a computer and a desk lamp. The square pin plug has a low amperage and may not be used for appliances.
• Round pin wall plugs are to be used for appliances only such as radios, hairdryers, kettles etc.
• Adaptors to change square pin plugs to round pin plugs are not allowed.
• Only one (1) 3 or 5 plug multi-adaptor may be used in the round pin wall plug.
• The multi-adaptor must have a pilot light and a dedicated on/off switch for each plug and only one appliance may be used in each socket on the multi adaptor.
• Only one extension cord per room is permitted.
• All kettles must stand on a tray.
• Irons may be used only in the ironing places provided, hand hairdryers, radios etc are allowed in rooms.
• Immersion heaters are a fire hazard and should not be used.
• Other than that provided no other heater may be used.
• No electric blankets are permitted
• Heaters must be switched off when a student goes to bed or the room is vacated.
• NOTE: Failure to switch off a heater is a serious disciplinary offence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

23.       END OF TERM

If your residence is being used during the vacation:

• Your room will be checked by a Sub-Warden before you leave. Anything found missing or damaged will be charged to your account.
• All room keys are to be handed in when you leave.
• Any missing keys are to be reported to the Warden/Hall Administrator and the replacement will be charged to your account.

 

24.       HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

            CLEANING

• Housekeeping staff are responsible for cleaning all the public areas and passages in the Residences. Each student is to clean their own room.

 

25.       FURNITURE AND OTHER UNIVERSITY PROPERTY

• No University furniture, furnishings or other property may be removed from any room without the consent of the Warden or Housekeeper.

 

26.       LAUNDRY - CHANGE OF BED LINEN

            LINEN: Please note that used bed linen is to be taken by each student to the       Linen Room in Hobson House and exchanged for clean linen by the House            keeper weekly as follows:

                        Wednesdays :         1:00 – 2:00pm

                        Thursdays :            1:00 – 2:00pm

NB : Should a student wish to supply their own linen, linen not required is to be handed back to the Housekeeper on first linen Change Day. You will need to launder your own linen.

 

27.       INTERVISITING

            PLEASE NOTE WELL

• That failure to observe the inter-visiting rules may result in immediate exclusion from residence as this is regarded as a serious offence by the University.
• The University Council has delegated to the Hall Warden and Hall Committee the authority to decide on the hours of inter-visiting permitted in each hall.  The overall and final control is vested in the Hall Warden.
• The inter-visiting rules are set out below and you are required to know them and to inform your visitors of them.

 

a)    Inter-visiting will be from 9.00 am to 12.00 am every day.

b)    A male visitor is to be escorted at all times by his hostess; the penalties for a breach of this regulation are severe, including prosecution for trespassing when the offender is not a member of the University.

c)    Any member of the residence who is hosting a male visitor, shall sign their names in a book in the duty room on arrival and departure.  VISITORS MUST LEAVE PROMPTLY BY THE TIME STIPULATED ABOVE.

d)    In the event of any breach or abuse of these rules and conditions the Hall Warden shall retain the right to suspend inter-visiting privileges for a period, either for individuals or for an entire residence.

e)    All women students may visit the bedsitting rooms of students in the Men’s Hall of Residence during the hours specified by each Men’s Hall, but must leave there by the time stipulated in that Residence. 

f)     No women are allowed in any male Residence after midnight.

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE INTERVISITING RULES MAY RESULT IN IMMEDIATE EXCLUSION FROM RESIDENCE.

 

• Should a student wish to have an overnight visitor in Residence, the application forms are available from Residence Operations. Please note there are costs and rules pertaining to this.

 

28.       EARLY CLOSING

• As from 14 days prior to the June and November exams, there will be no inter-visiting in the evenings after 9.00 pm (or at a time determined by the individual Residence).
• All visitors, male and female, to leave residence by this time and no more visitors to be admitted.

 

29.       ILLNESS OR INJURY

A daily clinic is held at the Rhodes University Health Care Centre.

 

CLINIC AND VISITING HOURS

Monday to Friday                                       Saturday and Sunday

8.00am - 12.30pm                                       9.30am - 12.30pm

2.00pm -  5.00pm                                        2.00pm -  5.00pm

 

• Health Care Centre Phone Number 046 – 603 8523 and Emergency Cell Number  082 801 1409 and the Ambulance/NetCare Number 082 911
• Any illness or injury must be reported to the Warden. If you are admitted to the Health Care Centre or the Hospital please make sure that the Warden is informed.
• No ill student may stay in residence for longer than 24 hours without seeing the Health Care sister.

 

• PLEASE NOTE : Should any emergency occur after 5:00p.m (17:00) please make sure to call the emergency number (082 801 1409) and not the landline number of the Health Care

 

30.       INITIATION

• Initiation at Rhodes University is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.

 

31.       INTERCOM

• Intercoms are not to be used for conversations, only to call residents.

 

32.       LABOUR - EMPLOYMENT OF

• Casual labour may not be employed on the Hall premises (e.g. for washing cars).
• The employment of the University’s staff to perform casual labour for students is prohibited.

 

33.       LEAVE OF ABSENCE FORMS

• Forms for leave of absence and compassionate leave forms are obtainable from the Student Bureau in the Administration Block or the Hall Administrator.
• Please note that neither the Health Care Centre nor your Warden will sign a leave of absence form unless you present to them while you are ill.

 

34.       LOSS AND THEFT OF PRIVATE PROPERTY

• The University accepts no responsibility for the loss or theft of student’s private property.
• Students are therefore advised to keep their rooms locked at all times.
• Students are also advised to check that their property is covered by their parents or personal insurance while at university.
• Ensure your laptop or any of your valuables is not placed close to open Windows.
• Do not let anyone through the front door of the Residence, ensure that the door closes behind you.

 

 

35.       MAINTENANCE

• All housekeeping complaints/problems are to be recorded in the “Maintenance” books kept in each house or reported to the Housekeeper if urgent.

 

36.       MOTOR VEHICLES

• Students who own a motor vehicle, or motorcycle are required by the university to register their vehicle at registration.
• If you acquire a vehicle after registration you must register it with the Student Bureau and the Hall Secretary within 72 hours of acquiring possession of it. Failure to do so is a serious offence.
• Proof of such registration (in the form of a registration disc) should be displayed on your vehicle

 

37.       NOTICE BOARDS

• Ensure you read the notice boards and message books in the Hall and Residences regularly as this is our main means of keeping you informed.

 

38.       PETS

• No pets, beside goldfish, may be kept in residence.
• Students may not feed or bring animals into the Dining hall or a House.

 

39.       PRIVACY

• All students are entitled to the privacy of their rooms.
• Members of the Housekeeping staff, the Hall Warden, House Warden and Sub-Wardens may however have to enter rooms in the course of their duties, i.e. checking on University assets.

 

40.       QUIET HOURS

• Reasonable quietness must be observed in the Houses and Hall and within the precincts of the Houses and Hall at all times.
• Silence must be strictly maintained at the following daily times:

 

            WEEKDAYS                                                  SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS 

            8.15am - 12.15pm                                          9.00am - 12.00pm

            2.00pm - 5.00pm                                            2.00pm - 4.30pm

            7.30pm onwards                                             7.30pm onwards

 

• No musical instruments may be played in the residences or grounds during hours of quiet.
• No music may they be played so loudly as to disturb students or staff in the houses.
• Students are responsible for controlling the behavior of, and noise made by their visitors and will be held responsible for this.

 

41.       SAFETY AND SECURITY

• Please do not conduct conversations through your bedroom windows.
• If the door sticks, or there has been an error with the locks, rouse the Warden or a Sub-Warden. The matter must be reported to the Warden first thing next morning.
• Incense and candles may not be burnt in the residences (except in an emergency such as a power failure, or for religious purposes – Inform the Warden of this and adhere to the time allocated/allowed by the Warden).

 

42.       FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

• No student may interfere with or use the fire alarm or fire-fighting equipment in the residence or dining halls or the grounds of the houses and hall i.e. fire hydrants (very severe penalties will be imposed for a breach of this rule).
•  A fire drill (when the alarm is set off and all students are required to vacate the Residence in the shortest possible time) is held each term.
• All students are entitled to a permanent Residence access chip if necessary for their residence. A replacement chip is available from the Residential Operations in the Bantu Stephen Biko Building.
• If you have lost your room key please report to the Hall Administrator who will order you a replacement and the cost thereof will be charged to your student account.
• No student may give or lend or otherwise dispose of his room key to any other person under any circumstances. No student may borrow or acquire in any other way a room key of any other student.

 

43.       SMOKING

• NO SMOKING is permitted in ANY University Residence or in the Dining Hall.
  HOBSON HALL POST-GRAD UNITS - HOUSE RULES

 

44.       ABSENCE FROM RESIDENCE

• You are required to sign out for weekends in the book provided for that purpose indicating your whereabouts and estimated date of return. This also applies to anyone absent on teaching pracs, field trips etc.

 

45.       GUESTS

• Should a student wish to have an overnight visitor in Residence, the application forms are available from Residence Operations.
• Please note there are costs and rules pertaining to this which are on the

reverse of the abovementioned form.

 

46.       INTERVISITING

• Is permitted daily from 9.00am to 12 midnight.
• The front door is to be locked at all times and visitors must call on the intercom to be let in, and the door locked after them.

 

47.       KEYS

• No student may give or lend or otherwise dispose of his room key to any other person under any circumstances.
• No student may borrow or acquire in any other way a room key of any other student.

 

48.       NOISE CONTROL

• Is to be self-imposed.
• At no time may noise of any kind be so loud as to disturb neighbours or fellow students. This applies also to your visitors, for whom you will be held responsible. Should any student not co-operate in this regard the matter must be reported to the Warden for disciplinary action.

 

49.       SECURITY

• Is the joint responsibility of all.
• Always keep your room locked for your own safety and that of your possessions.
• Report any loss of keys to the Warden/Hall Administrator immediately.

50.       SOCIAL FUNCTIONS

• All social functions held are to conform to the University’s Rules for Social Functions.
• You are permitted to keep sufficient alcohol for your own personal use in residence.  Any abuse of this privilege will result in its being withdrawn.

 

51.       THE GILBERT STREET POST-GRAD UNITS

• These are residences for mature students and accommodation here is at a premium, so please take care of it and co-operate with the rules and regulations. 
• Any abuse of residence privileges may, at the discretion of the Hall Warden, result in your being required to move elsewhere.

 

RUTH JACKSON  HALL WARDEN

November 2011