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.
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: Darren Wolhuter
Dear Oppies
After a very successful 2012 we look to the future and in particular, 2013. 2012 was, without a doubt, a very eventful year and a year that has proved that the Oppidan Union is the best Hall on campus. This year we aim to build on the successes of last year, aiming higher than before to reach new heights. For those of you, who believe that 13 is unlucky number, think again, because 2013 is going to be an awesome year.
The very enthusiastic and motivated committee that will ensure that 2013 is jam-packed with events and activities consists of: a chairperson; an entertainment representative; a welfare and environmental representative; a sports representative; a marketing and IT representative; a treasurer and fundraising representative; a community engagement representative; the Student Representative Council representative; six sub-wardens and an administrator, with the committee and the Oppidan Union falling under the wardenship of Janine and Raymond Harris.
As stated in the preamble in our Hall Constitution, we as the Oppidan Union will strive to create an environment that promotes the realisation of each individual’s full potential by valuing comradeship, perseverance and leadership through service above material gain and personal reward. This is indeed true for all our committee members, who have dedicated themselves to serve you, the Oppidan student, and make your experience at Rhodes University an enjoyable and memorable one. We exist to maintain facilities available to the Oppidan Union, organise events/functions that promote and encourage comradeship amongst Oppidan students, fight for the rights of Oppidan students, and, most importantly, ensure the safety and well-being of every Oppidan student studying at Rhodes University. We encourage students to engage with the Oppidan committee as we exist to serve you.
As the Oppidan Union, we aspire to organise events/functions that represent the diversity of students. We aspire cater to every need and want from each student, ensuring that each student is provided with the platform on which they can reach their full potential. Although it is our aspiration to cater to every student, our ambitions can only be fulfilled if Oppidan students participate. We therefore encourage all Oppidan’s to participate in all events/functions planned for you. Whether it be social activities, sporting activities or lease workshops, we encourage each Oppidan student to get involved.
Finally, if you feel that the committee is falling short in any way, please do not hesitate to contact any member of the committee, or make use of our forums, to voice your concerns. This also goes for any ideas or suggestions you might have for the committee to consider.
As Oppidan’s, let us get involved so that we can make 2013 a spectacular year. A year filled with memories, success, and fun, however, not forgetting to be considerate to those who we interact and live with. Let’s make 2013 a year in which we inspire each other to reach for our goals and aspirations and aim higher than ever before.
Here’s wishing every single Oppidan student, both returning and new, a prosperous, exciting, and awesome year ahead.
On behalf of the most amazing committee on campus
Darren Wolhuter
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 11pm.
The Oppi Bus and the FNB-Oppi bus will both be leaving from outside the Main Library every hour starting from 5pm till 11 pm Monday to Thursday. The oppidan Bus will operate on Fridays from 5pm- 9pm. This bus does not operate on Public Holidays. During exams the bus drives from 5pm to 12pm.
