Rhodes Student Housing Application | How to Apply for Rhodes Hostel – Rhodes University

We are committed to ensuring a trouble-free start to the 2023 academic year and therefore ask you to note the procedure for residence allocations carefully AND to refer to the residence allocation information provided in the New Student Information booklet previously sent to you.  Final residence allocations will only be done after the Initial Fee (IF) closing date of 30 January 2023 and published by 3 February 2023.

Preamble

While each residence has unique designs, features and amenities, all provide good quality accommodation, facilities, support programmes and resources to students. They also have similar access control systems, and an established governance and management structure. Two different rates are charged, and these are based primarily on proximity to the centre of campus and availability of basins with hot and cold water in the rooms. There is very little difference otherwise in terms of overall quality. (Please see the Fees Website for a list of residences and their current costs.)

Overall aim

Rhodes University seeks to develop a residential system which provides students with a safe and secure living space which supports study while promoting diversity and respect for differences, in line with the University’s transformation goals. Diversity includes aspects such as race, religion, culture, language and levels of seniority (e.g. 1st year, 2nd year, post-grad etc.)

Residence placement

The Student Bureau (which forms part of the Registrar’s Division) is responsible for allocating students to specific residences on the basis of the overall aim set out above. While a student may request allocation to a specific residence, such a request cannot necessarily be met.

Criteria for allocation of a place in residence

1. The overall aim above.

2. Students who have spent a year or more in residence are given precedence over first- time entering students, on condition that they have submitted an application and paid their Registration Fee on time.

3. Payment of the residence deposit as requested in the letter of offer subject to the Registration Fee payment being received by the relevant deadline.

4. Students with physical disability or specific health problems are given precedence, subject to them meeting the relevant deadlines.

Double-room allocations

While most of the rooms at Rhodes are single, nearly all the residences have a few double rooms, and these are reserved for first-year students (or for 2nd or 3rd years who have specifically requested to share).

Occupants of double rooms are charged 75% of the lodging component of the residence fee (ie full meal costs) (a 25% refund is paid to the student at the end of each term).

The Student Bureau is responsible for assigning first-year students into double rooms, following the overall aim and criteria above. Allocations to these rooms is fair and transparent, and follows a random ‘lottery’ system based on the overall aim of achieving diversity, with special consideration given in the case of students who request a shared room, especially siblings, and students who identify a friend with whom they wish to share a room. The lottery takes place after the relevant Registration Fee date in January. Allocations are published on ROSS and students will be informed of whether they have been assigned to a single or double room.

Allocation to single rooms

Allocations to specific rooms within the residence are managed by the Warden in consultation with the Sub-Wardens. While returning students are able to select a room during the readmission process, choice is subject to internal demand, capacity and diversity considerations. Rooms are not reserved irrevocably at any time.

How will you know which residence you have been allocated to?

Once residence allocations have been made and published, you can determine which one you have been allocated to by looking on ROSS or by phoning the Student Bureau. In the case of first year students, you will also be informed of whether you have been assigned a single or a double room.

Requests for transfers

No transfers, either to a different room within a residence or to another residence, will be made until the fifth week of term, to allow for settling in and to help avoid confusion in the room allocation process.

• In the event of a single-room vacancy arising in any residence, preference will be given to students in double rooms within that residence, in the first instance, and from other residences thereafter. Such students will be required to pay the single room fee pro rata.