Useful info for Oppidans
An Oppidan is a student who does not live in a university residence. Most students living in digs have experienced life in residence for a year or two before taking the plunge to greater independence and responsibility.
If you are a first year and planning to live in town, the Oppidan Union will help you to find digs, deal with issues related to your rental contract, and assist in occasional conflict you might experience with your neighbours.
Rhodes provides a comprehensive support base for all oppidan students, for which they pay a fee of R145.00 per annum. Support services include:
- use all facilities at Rhodes, including the Health Care Centre and the Counselling Centre.
- two Oppidan Hall Wardens who provide advice and assistance, particularly with regard to personal crises or issues related to digs. (cell 082 808 8557)
- a team of 6 area-based Sub-Wardens, whose role is largely a nurturing one: they visit the students living in their area, encourage them to get involved in social and sporting activities. They also promote good relations between ‘town and gown’, and encourage students to get to know their neighbours and clear up potential misunderstandings before they occur.
- a voluntary mentorship programme, which pairs experienced students with first-year students.
- a committee of oppidan students who provide leadership for the Oppidan Hall and ensure that oppidan students can get involved in sports events and community engagement
- social functions arranged exclusively for oppidans
- an oppidan office (in Eden Grove) with a part-time administrator (tel 0466038229)
- an oppidan common room
- an oppidan dining Hall (offering lunch and supper at a subsidised price) Students who wish to eat regularly at the Oppidan Dining Hall can charge these meals to their student account. This will ensure that you get a balanced diet, and will enable you to mix regularly with other oppidan students,
- a constantly updated digs list, with all listed digs inspected and rated.
- the Oppie Bus, which provides free transport to and from specified locations at certain times. Check the oppidan website for further details.
Take a look at the oppidan website for more information: http://www.ru.ac.za/oppidan
