Oppidan
What is an Oppidan?
The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word Oppidan "as an inhabitant of a university town as distinguished from a member of the university itself " i.e. a student living off campus, in accommodation rented independently of Rhodes, is an Oppidan- or Oppi for short. We also call ourselves 'Digs' students.
What is the Oppidan Union?
The Oppidan Community is the single largest student body at Rhodes. Oppis enjoy the benefits of increased independence and freedom from somr of the structures of life in residence, but off-campus living also provides its own challenges. Thus the Oppidan Union was formed to help our Oppi's face all these challenges. The Oppidan Union consists of the Wardens, Sub Wardens and House Committee to help with all your needs.
What is the Oppidan Warden and what do they do?
The Oppidan Hall Warden is responsible for Oppidan Affairs at Rhodes. They attend all committee meetings and the Wardens ensures that Oppidan Students receive support and advice if they experience any problems while living in digs.
What is the Oppidan Sub-wardens and what do they do?
Oppidan Sub-wardens help the Hall Warden to effectively run the Oppidan Union, and to provide a high-quality support service to student. They are pro-actively involved with the Oppidan students and interested in all aspects of their lives-academic,sport, social and personal. In particular Sub-wardens are there to offer support and advice to new and current Oppidans who are settling into digs life and to offer guidance and direction during times of crises.
Oppidan Sub Wardens and Wardens
What is the Oppidan Committee?
The Oppidan Committee is comprised of Oppidans selected by fellow students. Their mandate is to look after the interests of all students living off-campus and they achieve this by maintaining channels of communication between Rhodes and Oppidans. They are also resposible for organising events and functions to get the Oppidans together and interacting.
Welcome from the Chairman of the Oppidan Committee: Gamuchirai Mbetu
Hello Oppidans
According to the Mayans this is the year the world ends. So as Oppidans it is the year to live like you may not see tomorrow. As the Oppidan Committee it is our duty to ensure that 2012 is the best year of your life, as it may be your last. So to the returning and new Oppidans, Welcome, hold on tight because we have a feast of events and initiatives prepared for you from O-week to the last Swot week this year!
This year the committee has been restructured slightly. The committee consists of: six sub-wardens; an administrator; a chairperson; an entertainment representative; a welfare and environmental representative; two sports representatives; a marketing and IT representative; a treasurer and fundraising representative; the community engagement representative and the Student Representative Council representative. This committee and the union are under the wing of two wardens Janine and Raymond Harris.
Each member of the committee has dedicated themselves to providing a reasonably comfortable life for the average Oppidan at Rhodes University. As a committee we exist to maintain the facilities available to the Oppidan Union. These facilities include the Oppidan Dining Hall and the Oppidan Common Room. The committee also facilitates events for the Oppidan students. So in 2012 Oppidans can look forward to a cheese and wine, the Oppidan Olympics, the digs quiz and the Oppidan ball amongst other events . This year (as it could be our last year on earth) we hope to maintain the number 1 position that the Oppidan Union acquired in the internal sports league. A mentoring program also exists for the first year Oppidans so that they can also have some academic support.
The plethora of events represents the diversity of the Oppidan Union. Although we aspire to satisfy every Oppidan’s ambition, our aspirations can only come to life if the members of the Oppidan Union participate. I would like to urge all Oppidans to engage in the events and the initiatives that exist specifically for Oppidans. After all there is nothing to lose, because even if you do lose something, there will be nobody to remember anything anyway. We must get involved as if there will be no 2013. That being said we should remember to be considerate of those around us where we live and who we interact with. As we are representatives of Rhodes University in the respective communities in which we reside.
Let us do our best in all things; academically, socially and otherwise. Finally if ever you feel the committee is falling short of the standard you expect please make use of the forums this year and do not hesitate to contact any member of the committee to voice your concerns.
As Oppidans lets get involved in the Oppidan Union and make 2012 the best year of our lives. So that, even if 2013 does come we will be able to look back and think “How the heck are we going to top that? ”
Wishing you all a prosperous and exciting 2012.
On behalf of the most amazing committee on campus
Gamuchirai Mbetu.
CONTACT NUMBERS
FREE TRANSPORT!!!
Working late on campus and need a lift to your digs?
There is a Free Oppidan Bus that operates from 5pm to 10pm.
The Oppi Bus and the FNB-Oppi bus will both be leaving the Jac Labs every hour starting from 5pm till 10 pm Monday to Thursday. The oppidan Bus will operate on Fridays from 5pm- 7pm. This bus does not operate on Public Holidays.
