Meerhoff

Newcomers

Guide

2019

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The December holidays are stretched out before you but before you know it, it will be time to move into res and begin a new chapter in your life. Use this time to get some rest and prepare yourself for next year, it’s going to be very busy!

In this booklet, you will find information regarding documents you need to send us before moving in, a summary of what the welcoming period at Stellenbosch University entails, a description of the residence facilities, contact details of the leaders who will be guiding you through Welcoming and a packing list of everything you need to bring along when you move in. Hopefully you will feel equipped and ready for life at Meerhoff after reading this booklet, but if you still have any questions you are more than welcome to contact us!

We look forward to meeting you next year and introducing you to your new home, Meerhoff! Bring loads of spirit and enthusiasm and we guarantee that you will have an unforgettable experience.

WELCOME

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Letter from the Primaria Jessica is currently a 3rd year medical student. She

was born and bred in Johannesburg but she is not

your typical city girl. She has a younger brother and

tends to take on the role of ‘the responsible one’ in

many situations. However, having fun is her number

one priority and she is always keen for any adventure.

Exploring the outdoors with friends, jogging along

the promenade, ‘braaibroodjies’ and mochas are what

she lives for. This go-getter is always enthusiastic and

energetic and can sometimes even be a little silly. If

ever you need some cheering up, Jess is the person to

go to. She is a lover of people (so I guess you could

call her a HUMANitarian... 😉). She believes that

“every human has a finite number of heartbeats” and

she does not intend to waste any of hers.

Dear future Legend!

Congratulations on being selected to the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at

Stellenbosch University. It truly is an honour to be able to pursue your dreams as an

aspiring health professional at such a prestigious institution. I would like to welcome you

to Meerhoff, a place that I am certain you will confidently be able to call your home

throughout your time on Tygerberg. To be part of The House of Legends is “to live, to love,

to learn and to leave a legacy.

Living in Meerhoff is more than just eating, sleeping and studying within a few brick

walls. This is the place where you are going to experience emotions everyday whether it be

joy, sorrow, anger or gratitude. Here you will sing and dance, be nervous for tests and

relax with a cup of coffee or a book on the balcony. Some of the most wonderful memories

in your life will be made here and it really is a great place to start the next chapter of your

life. It will be the beginning and the end of your day and I believe that you will want it to

be. It may sound daunting, but it is definitely something to be super excited about.

We as Meerhoffians pride ourselves on being a family. You will meet so many people that

will each play a different part in your story. Your fellow Legends will support you and

you will come to care for many of them. You will build friendships that you never

thought you would, friends for life. Like in most families, you will encounter people that

you will have differences with. But at the end of the day you will form part of an

amazing group of people that will stand together for a common cause. This is the same

group of people that I hope will make this House a home that you come to love.

During my stay in Meerhoff, I have experienced so many things that have shaped me into

the person that I am now. As a Meerhoffian, you realise that you learn so much about the

diversity of people and how life outside of your little bubble really is. I trust that you will

not only learn about others, but you will mostly get to know yourself. Opportunities that

you never thought would, get thrown your way. It’s a place that holds many challenges

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for you and you as an individual are bound to grow. During your stay here, you will

have to step out of your comfort zone and guess what: that is where the magic happens.

You might think that it is absurd to think that you will be leaving a legacy from the day

that you set foot in this residence. How could it be possible if you still have so much time

ahead of you? I promise you that the time flies by and you quickly realise that every day

is a new chance to be great and to do the things that make you happy. My wish for you

here at Meerhoff is that your choices reflect you hopes and not your fears and that is why

I encourage you to grab every single opportunity, to take on each challenge and embrace

every experience.

Myself and the rest of the team look forward to meeting you. Please feel free to contact me

any time if you have any questions.

Enjoy your holiday and see you soon!

Jessica Human

Primaria

073 417 6433

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Word from the

Residence Head

Louis Fincham

Louis is a person who has a passion to work with young people. This passion leads him

to inspire people to take accountability for their personal development and to enhance

their leadership skills. He is a dedicated family man with a son and two daughters.

Louis loves going to the theatre, especially musicals. He also loves the outdoors and

enjoys the beauty of nature.

On behalf of Meerhoff Residence I would like to formally welcome you to the Tygerberg

Campus, your new home for the next few years. We are a residence that firmly believes in

Pride, Passion, Heart and Soul! Here we strive to make an enemy out of apathy,

something we know there is no room for in our wonderful country. We are a family, a

unit that prides itself in the fact that individuality, respect and diversity are to be

celebrated. Here is a home for everyone. To conform is NOT the norm!

Ultimately Meerhoff's motto puts it best: "To live, to love, to learn, to leave a LEGACY!"

During your residence experience you will come to encounter three groups of student

leaders that will work hard to ensure your first year is filled with lasting memories, great

friends, developmental opportunities, and most importantly, fun.

The residence House Committee, your head mentors and the mentors themselves. These

fellow students’ aim is to dedicate their next year to making your residence experience the

greatest success it can be. From leading floor meetings, running programs, solving

conflicts, and listening to your concerns, these three groups of passionate student leaders

are committed to supporting you from your first day living in Meerhoff to your last.

For many of you this will be your first time at University and

being so far from home for so long. You will find your

transition will come with some challenges. Yet, rest assured

you have been adopted into a welcoming family here at

Meerhoff, one that wishes you to have a successful university

experience. Of course, some of the onus will also fall on you;

don’t forget to take care of yourself, look out for the well-being

of those around you, and treat this building as you would your

home.

Louis Fincham

Meerhoff Residence Head

Email: laf@sun.ac.za

Mobile: 072 643 5243

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Letter from the

Welcoming Leader

Dharshana Moodliar

Dharshana is currently in her 2nd year of MB, ChB.

Her passion in life is to find happiness through

serving others and admiring the amazing planet we

live on known as Planet Earth. In contrast to her

Johannesburg City life, Dharshana, loves to spend

her free time either hiking or chilling with friends at

the beach. She has an inquiring mind and enjoys

engaging in thought-provoking conversation, but she

is also an excellent listener who is always willing to

sacrifice time for a friend in need. Although, she

maintains a diligent and meticulous work ethic which

may initially depict her as a “black and white”

character, Dharshana has a personality that boasts a

kaleidoscope of colour and coming from an Indian

heritage - she naturally has a little bit of a “spicy” side.

Dharshana believes that the only way we can grow

as individuals is through challenging ourselves and

thus she is constantly engaging in new activities that

may shape her into a Medical Doctor that can make a

real and lasting difference in our beautiful Rainbow Nation – South Africa.

Dear Future Legend!

It gives me great pleasure to Welcome you to the House of Legends – Meerhoff!

A Roman philosopher once stated that Home is where the heart is, and I can say that over

my 2 years in Meerhoff, it has indeed become my 2nd home. The transition to university

marks the beginning of a new chapter in your lives and for many of you, Meerhoff will

be an integral part of that chapter. During your stay in Meerhoff you will be provided

with countless opportunities to make memories and great friendships which shape

Meerhoff into more than just a place where you eat, sleep and study, but an actual home. I

encourage you to make the most of these opportunities and the prime platform to begin is

… WELCOMING WEEK!

The welcoming period provides a foundation for your university life. Thus, Welcoming

week is jam-packed with activities to help equip our Newcomers for life in Meerhoff,

Tygerberg Campus and the Stellenbosch Community. Over the welcoming period, you

will:

1. Meet many new people, but probably forget more than half their names.

2. Be challenged to do one or two things that may be a little out of your comfort zone.

3. Familiarize yourself with the campus and Meerhoff.

4. Have lots of fun – this I guarantee!

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Future legend, you are on the cusp of embarking on a journey of a lifetime and I cannot

emphasize enough the gold mine of wonderful learning and growing experiences that

await you in 2019. In Meerhoff and Tygerberg you are exposed to the diversity that deems

South Africa a Rainbow Nation. I have found that through engaging with different

individuals, I have opened doors to learn new things about myself. There is an immense

amount of inevitable self-growth that occurs during your time in university and I urge

you to allow yourself the opportunity to grow by participating in activities and

remaining open minded to shape and re-shape your worldviews. To be part of the House of

Legends is to embody our motto: “To live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy!”

My core purpose for the welcoming period is to create a space in which our Newcomers feel

free to be themselves, engage on both a social and intellectual level and grow into the “well

– rounded” professionals which Stellenbosch University envisions for us.

I look forward to meeting you and showing you that you really are joining the best

Residence on Tygerberg! Please feel free to contact me if you have any enquiries.

Enjoy the holidays and see you soon!

Dharshana Moodliar

Welcoming Leader 2019

Phone: 079 751 5489

Email: 20741456@sun.ac.za

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Vensters/‘Connect’

Marti Loots

Marti is a second-year medical student who got her looks

from her mom, her activeness from her dad and her

competitiveness from her 3 older brothers. Marti enjoys

playing tennis, running, hiking and is always up for an

adventure. She has a useless talent of memorising song

lyrics, she drinks too much coffee and you can win her

over with any form of chocolate. She loves being

challenged, always finds something to keep herself busy

with and she either does things whole heartedly or not at

all. She also believes that pineapple belongs on pizza.

Dear future Legend

Welcome to Meerhoff! The place where you will make lifelong friends, laugh, cry, eat,

sleep, study, relax and before you know it you will confidently call it your home.

It is a privilege to be your Vensters/Connect HK member for 2019. Although nerve

wrecking, sometimes awkward, and outside most of your comfort zones, welcoming week

is very exciting.

All the residences’ first years take part in Vensters. It is the last event of welcoming week

where a week filled with laughter, awkward social encounters, newly formed friendships,

practice sessions and a lot of other activities (that I won’t spoil just yet) is wrapped up in a

10-minute singing, dancing and acting performance. It is filled with an unimaginable

sense of energy, vibrancy, sense of belonging, and pride and is attended by hundreds of

parents, friends, locals and students and it will take place throughout the streets of

beautiful Stellenbosch. Truly an unforgettable experience!

‘Connect’ is an initiative by the university that enables students to raise money for our

social impact project during and prior to welcoming week. Together with our paired

residences, we raise funds by various means. The highlight of course is Jooltoer. Jooltoer is

a week-long get away after the November exams, open for all Meerhoffians and students

from the paired residences. During this trip we raise money, end of the year, spend time

with friends, make new friends and just generally have heaps of fun.

There are many great things to come and Welcoming Week and Vensters are only the

beginning. I am excited to be part of each of your journeys of truly becoming yourselves. I

can’t wait to meet you, make memories with you, watch you grow, and see how you help

me to grow.

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Please feel free to contact me any time if you have any

questions. Enjoy your holiday and see you soon!

Marti Loots

Email : 20746253@sun.ac.za

Mobile : 0836055509

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House Committee 2018/19

Wiseman Excellent Mhlongo

Wiseman grew up in a small rural area in Mpumalanga

known as Langeloop and is currently doing his 2nd year as a

medical student. After finishing matric in 2014, Wiseman

went to Wits University to study Mining Engineering but did

not finish the year because his heart was in medicine, instead

he deregistered and went back home to teach math and

science at his old school. Interested fact about him is that he

does not know how to swim but knows how to survive and

not drown. He is also a learner, not just in academics but also

he is always more than willing to learn about other people’s

culture, religion and language. Wiseman lives his life

according to the quote: “Don’t be afraid of dying be afraid of

living with nothing to die for”. Beth Conolly

Beth is a second-year Occupational Therapy student heralding from

Pietermaritzburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal (although she will always claim

her Zimbabwean roots!). She is the first one in her family of six to

break away from the ‘engineering mould’ in deviating towards the

health sciences. Where would you lose her? Beth is always on the

move so she’s not easy to find, but luckily ‘Tyger-island’ has put

some parameters on her. If she could choose to be lost somewhere it

would probably be in some quirky coffee shop or art gallery, up a

mountain, in the bush, a book or Neverland. Beth is one of those

people who asks lots of questions and loves deep and meaningful

conversations. She has a passion for people and for social justice -

she is not afraid to ‘push buttons that need to be pushed’. Although

Beth has lots on the go, her friends and Meerhoff family take

priority and she will always make time to chat.

Lee -Ann Mpisi – Vice Primaria

Lee-Ann is a 3rd year medical student from Kimberley. She’s

always on the lookout for ways in which a desk job, travelling

and philosophical medicine can be merged as a single career.

As reserved as she is, the mere sight of children makes her

heart burst with joy.

The roaring laugh that bubbles from deep within her belly is

often a startling contrast to her introverted personality. A

personality that often gets misinterpreted as indifference, she

notes.

She thoroughly enjoys conversation and warm drinks. Lee-

Ann’s curious mind usually has her assuming the role of an

“interviewer” in conversations. The detail matters to her. She

believes that if God gives you a dream, He is giving you

stewardship of the detail.

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Francois Botha

Francois grew up in Somerset West and is busy with his

3rd year as a medical student. He introduces himself as

Francois, but everyone has their own nickname for him.

He’s not a big fan of routine or sitting around and doing

nothing, which goes hand-in-hand with his love for

exploring and nature. If he isn’t busy working on his car,

you will probably find him on some mountain.

Interestingly, he is the only person in South Africa that has

kept a box jellyfish as a pet (Naming it “Snuggles” was

probably not the best idea, though). Francois lives his life

according to the phrase, “ I'd rather look back at life

saying, "I can't believe I did that" instead of, "If only I had"."

Lize Bischoff

Lize Bisschoff is a Captonian born and bred. Currently

engaged in her second year of studying medicine, she is

happily absorbed in realizing the dream of her thirteen-

year-old self. Her exercise of choice would have to be

dancing (and no, not the skilled kind). If someone is

knocking at your door, it is almost definitely Lize bringing

you the promise of a crazy adventure. She is prone to

hopping around and inducing laughter wherever she

goes. At first you may think that she is shy but get to know

her and you'll almost wish that she was! Lize is a kind,

empathic soul, with a busy mind and hands ready to catch

you if you fall. She has a love for her family, friends,

animals and midnight Mcflurry runs. She takes her

relationships and commitments very seriously. She is a

loyal friend, a dedicated worker and a perfectionist at

heart.

Aelke Van der Venter

Aelke is a 4th year medical student from Paarl. After moving

around from Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria, she

eventually settled in the Winelands to finish her high school

career. Living in the Winelands makes her always keen for a

good wine tasting with amazing scenery, although she also

appreciates any relaxed time with family or friends that

involves G&Ts and good food. In her free time she loves

doing puzzles and bingeing series.

Aelke also has a passion for music and has been part of the

Stellenbosch university choir since she started university.

Aside from her passion for music, medicine, food, family and

friends, she has an unnatural love for animals that trumps

any and all of her other interests.

She loves helping others and believes that it’s the small

things in life that count the most. She strives to find joy in

every situation and help others do the same.

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Tumelo Louisa Sopeng

While you read this, Tumelo is strutting her way through

second year (with the obvious stumble). She hails from the

largely-visited and well-known town of Brits in the North

West and has decided to move to the humble city of Cape

Town. She loves meeting new people, learning about

different cultures and religions and still believes she can save

the world someday. On most days, one will not easily find

Louisa unless you look in between the pages of a novel she's

picked up. If you need her, just knock a few extra times... It

takes a while for the sound to travel through the dimensions

of space and time. Unlike most medical students, her go-to

drink is any flavored cup of tea, so luckily persuading her

doesn't take much. Her names mean so much to her (Tumelo

= Faith, Louisa = Warrior) that she gladly goes by both as an

'omen to her mom' for blessing her with such titles. However,

she's not much of a warrior with her brittle bones, soft heart

and old soul.

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Ethos of Meerhoff

Preamble

We, the residents of Meerhoff, recognise the innate dignity and individual value of each

human being; believe that through our diversity we are united; accept our responsibility in

shaping future professionals, South Africans and world citizens; wish to govern ourselves as

much as is within our power, in a manner that is secular, humanist and democratic.

Objectives The creation of a safe, comfortable and supportive community within the context of the

Residence, Tygerberg Campus, South Africa and the greater society; the establishment of an

environment where a person may be allowed to live and develop a well round and balanced

life within the spheres of academics, social, sport and leadership.

House Values All activities of Meerhoff will endeavour to fit within the jurisdiction of our official House

Values. They form the cornerstone for all decisions within the residence and members are

expected to maintain these values through their deeds and behaviour.

We hold these values dear, as it is on their strong foundation that this great

house was built.

Respect•Integrity.........•Accountability•Consciousness

Individuality•Honour•Loyalty.•Identity

Diversity•Innovation•Leadership

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Origins of the Meerhoff

Crest

The

Stellenbosch

Acorns

The book of

knowledge

The compass

rose

Guinness the

Guinea fowl The rod of

Asclepius

“To live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy”

Est. 1999. Named after the famous surgeon and explorer, Pieter van Meerhof.

Meerhoff History Meerhoff the residence was established in 1999 and was named after Pieter van

Meerhof. Pieter van Meerhof was a soldier, surgeon, explorer and adventurer that

originated from Copenhagen, Denmark. He arrived at the Cape on the ship Princess

van Royael in 1659. He also severed as the superintendent on Robben Island for the

Dutch East India Company. He married to Eva Krotoa, a Khoikhoi woman, on 2 June

1664. Their marriage was the first inter-cultural union contracted in South Africa,

according to the diary of Commander Zacharias Wagenaer, van Riebeeck’s successor.

He was later killed in Madagascar (1668) during an expedition.

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House Anthem We strongly recommend that you learn the house anthem by heart

before welcoming – it is every Meerhoffian’s greatest pride to sing it

together.

Ndiyathembisa kuni Bantu Bam iBongo le Tygerberg iKhaya Lethu Sonke

Isinik’ injabulo

Ons staan saam as ‘n eenheid, Gefokus op een doel.

Met opregtheid leef ons altyd saam, Met passie, hart en siel.

And there are many others, Who wish that they were us.

With our pride before us, For Meerhoff we stand.

To live, to love, to learn are many things, But there’s a common goal.

To leave this place as legends, For memories to the end.

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Meerhoff as your home Meerhoff is a mixed residence of roughly 225 students. The layout consists of 8

residential units or “blocks”, two of which are for junior students and the remaining

six for senior students. Each block has three floors; two for ladies and 1 for men. The

junior blocks house only first and second year students. Within the junior blocks,

there are 4 double rooms for first years and 6 single rooms for the second years per

floor. As a first year, you will receive a double room and be assigned a roommate for

the year. *

The senior blocks comprise of eight single rooms per floor, each with an ensuite

bathroom. Four of the blocks share a communal kitchen and dining area while the

other two share a small kitchen between every two rooms. Students are allowed to

shoot for these rooms from the end of their second year of studies onwards at

Kamerskiet.

Rivalry amongst the blocks is always wonderful to be a part of, as throughout the

year each block competes for the ultimate title of Interblock champions of the year!

* Please note that no first year will be informed of who their roommates

are before the first day of welcoming and under no circumstances will

information about fellow students be shared. Furthermore, roommate

allocations are final and changes are not allowed.

Pictured are Conscientia and Fides -

Meerhoff’s Junior Blocks

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Parking

There is parking available at Meerhoff and students can apply for parking online when they

register, however due to the demand for parking 1st year students may need to park in the

peripheral parking area located at the Tygerberg Student Centre.

Your Room

Each side of the room has a desk, chair, bookshelf, bed (on average 27 cm off the floor) and a

mattress, curtains, built in cupboard that can be padlocked and a computer network point

for internet accessibility. The two sides of the room are divided by a small wall. There isn’t a

lot of storage space in the rooms so try not to bring too many unnecessary things with you,

because in December you’ll need to move out and take it all home with you (storage is

organised). The pictures below ought to give you an idea of what a typical first year’s room

looks like.

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The Floor

There is a communal space on each floor with a dining table and chairs where you and your

floor mates can enjoy supper together, catch up with friends or even just chill a bit. The top two

floors each have a small balcony where you can enjoy a cup of tea in the mornings!

The Kitchen Each floor has a communal kitchen and each student is allocated a food cabinet as well as

fridge space. The kitchen is equipped with three large fridges, a stove and a microwave oven.

Most floors share a kettle, toaster or mini-oven, so before buying one to bring with make

sure that no one else has donated one for communal use!

NB: Kitchen appliances may not be kept in bedrooms under any circumstances

Most students choose to cook their own meals but daily pre-booked meals are also at the

Tygerberg Student Centre (TSS).

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The Bathrooms Each floor has a communal bathroom

which has three closed showers, three

toilets and three basins, as well as a

deep silver basin to hand wash clothing

in. This caters for the 14 residents per

floor.

The Laundry Room A laundry room is available to all Meerhoff residents. Each

student has the option of operating the washer and dryer

themselves or allowing the on-site washing woman to do their

washing at an extra cost for her services. The use of the

machines is charged to your student account and you can load

quota in the washing room itself (cash cannot be used).

Your Support Meerhoff provides each student with an academic Mentor (Mentut) as they enter the

residence as well as a counsellor/wellbeing mentor (Mentors). Mentuts assist in

acclimatizing students to the heavy workload of university life. Adapting is often a very

stressful experience and mentors give helpful advice, summaries from previous work and

foresights to help relieve the stress of academics. Mentors serve to integrate the students into

residence, turning them into involved, contributing members. Here in Meerhoff we strongly

believe that participation is vital for both residence - and individual well-being and we

encourage all students to make the most of the opportunities that Meerhoff has to offer.

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Letter from the Mentors

The Meerhoff Mentors welcome you Home – a house where Legends leave a Legacy!

We are so pleased you chose to make Meerhoff your new Home.

We, as your mentors, are here to guide and assist you to ensure your transition into this new

chapter of your lives, is an easy one. You are not alone!

Our goal is to support you in all aspects of your life; emotional, social, physical, intellectual,

spiritual and occupational.

We are an interesting bunch as you will soon find out, but we are determined to be by your

side throughout this journey and we hope to cement good, strong relationships with you that

can be carried out throughout your stay in the House of Legends.

We are so excited to meet you and wish you all the best for your final year exams – set Goals,

work Hard and most importantly, leave a Legacy!

Jojisam, Avuyile and the Mentors.

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Tygerberg

Campus Cluster:

A Cluster is a community of residences and PSO’s

(Private Student Organisation) that are grouped

together. Being a part of Meerhoff residence also puts you in the

fortunate position of being part of our Tygerberg Cluster (Meerhoff, Huis Kerkenberg, Huis

Francie van Zijl, Hippokrates and Osler PSO) as well as our cluster on main campus, Victoria

(Meerhoff, Monica, Harmonie, Oude Molen, Wilgenhof, Silene).

Both of these clusters are truly vibrant, innovative and exciting platforms where the

Stellenbosch student community takes form.

During welcoming you will have the opportunity to meet students in our clusters and make

friends outside of Meerhoff. The cluster experience provides each of you the opportunity for

networking and to form academic and social contacts. The cluster also has events during the

year, where you can look forward to meeting new people, making new friends and

establishing study buddies.

We can’t wait for you to join the diverse and fun activities already planned for 2019!

Tygerberg Cluster Convenors 2019: Sakhile Mokgethi & Mpilonhle Mdletshe

Tygerberg Student Council (TSR):

Known as the campus of champions, Tygerberg is filled with countless opportunities to get

involved in student leadership and ser vice. The TSR is the highest decision-making body on

issues of student governance in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and they

represent our campus in its entirety. It is made up of twelve students who are elected at the

end of every year to serve the students of our campus.

During welcoming you will have the opportunity to meet the TSR and discuss their vision

and plans for the year ahead.

Victoria Cluster Tygererg Cluster

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Campus Services and Facilities: The Tygerberg Student Centre (commonly known as the TSS) is at the core of most campus

services.

It houses the following:

Cafeteria and dining hall (meals can be pre-booked on student accounts)

Mini-mart for necessities

Grill for fast-food takeaways

Spice Halaal Deli

Sports hall

Music room

Prayer room

ABSA ATM

Van Schaiks book store

Medical supplies shop (TSS Shop – you buy your scrubs and stethoscopes here!)

Tygerberg Student Council office

Campus Health Services

o doctor

o nurse

o psychologist

The following sports facilities are available on Tygerberg:

Maties Gym (in TSS) – monthly, half-year and annual contracts available

Sports field

4 Tennis courts

25m Outdoor swimming pool (not in use at the moment due to Cape Town’s water

resrictions)

Squash courts

Indoor sports hall (indoor hockey/basketball/climbing wall)

Other important facilities on Tygerberg include GERGA, which is our 24hour computer

users’ area where students have access to SUNLearn, where all of our notes are hosted, as

well as printing and internet services for which quota can be loaded onto your student

account. We also have a library where students can study or borrow textbooks from. If the

library environment isn’t for you, there is always the study centre located on K floor which is

filled with study cubicles and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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Important contact details:

TSR Chairperson: John Kachoko 074 861 5712 / tsrchair@sun.ac.za

Campus Security (USBD) 021 938 9507

24hour Emotional Crises Service 082 557 0880

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Important Dates and

Information

30 November 2018 Last day to email your personal profile letters and mentor’s questionnaire which have been

included in your letter or can be found on the Meerhoff First Years 2019 Facebook group, as

well as your clothing sizes (top and shorts indicating S/M/L) to meerhoffprim@sun.ac.za.

You can also post them (please try email as the postal service is not very reliable) to the

following address, but please ensure that you do so well in advance so that they arrive before

30 November:

Meerhoff

Ductus 204

Private Bag X12

Tygerberg

7505

18 January 2019 Last day to RSVP for the welcoming braai which will take place on the day of arrival (number

of attendees including first year). Email meerhoffprim@sun.ac.za to RSVP.

23 January 2019 13:00 – 16:00 Arrival and registration at Meerhoff

17:00 Introduction to the house committee and residence head

18:30 – 20:30 Parent and 1st Year Braai in the Senior Quad

24 January 2019 Official University Welcoming programme commences.

1 February 2019 18:00 Vensters performance in Stellenbosch - Parents are encouraged to attend and watch

the shows

3 February 2019 1st years will have the entire day off to rest, spend time with their parents and family and

prepare for their first day of class. There will be lift services available for students without

transport who would like to go to the shops as well as information provided regarding local

church services for those who would wish to attend.

4 February 2019 First day of class

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Social Media Don’t be a stranger, keep in touch with us via the following social

media platforms (click icons for hyperlinks):

Take a look at the following links to get excited to for our annual

Meerhoff events!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScKGivu0yn8 Meerhoff O-week 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKLm56cm6DA Meerhoff Housewarming

https://youtu.be/hL4QyzyFikw Meerhoff Sêr Finals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V2tDQjrnxo Meerhoff First Years’ 2017

Remember to request to join the “Meerhoff First Years 2019” group on Facebook so that we

can keep you updated with any vital information over the holidays!

Meerhoff Residence

Meerhoff Residence meerhoffresidence

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The following items are prohibited

and may not be brought with you:

Open heaters

Air conditioners

Pets

Alcohol

Full-size fridges

As part of our green initiative, from 2016

onwards students will only be allowed to bring

bar fridges into res as there are three full size

fridges provided per floor for student use

already.

No kitchen appliances other than a

kettle/coffee maker equivalent and a small

bar fridge are permitted in bedrooms.

Packing Checklist: The following list is merely a recommendation of what to bring with:

For Vensters/Welcoming: R400 to be paid on arrival*

Completed raffle form

NB: Sunblock Water bottle White t-shirt that can be painted on White shoes (if you have) Any colourful or shiny clothes/makeup

that can be used for Vensters (but don’t go and buy!)

Clothing: Training shorts (black/navy) Denim shorts Black/dark shorts Meerhoff Monday uniform (see below) Comfortable walking shoes Swimming costume and towel Neat/semi-formal outfit for socials

Academic Registration: ID and certified copy thereof Official Senior Certificate and copy thereof Proof of Registration (if e-registered) Certified copy of your next of kin’s ID Exemplar of your acceptance letter Proof of payment of study fees

Room/Res: Bedding for a single bed Towel Toiletries Shower flip-flops Clothing hangers Laundry basket 3x Combination locks Desk lamp Stationary SABS approved multiplug Fan (it can get very hot in summer) Washing powder/softener Eating and cooking utensils LAN Cable will be provided Other Two/more cans of non-perishable food to

donate to charity

*This goes towards the following welcoming expenses: First year clothing, Vensters clothing,

entry fees for Vensters events, transportation to and from Stellenbosch as well as other social

events during welcoming.

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Meerhoff Mondays Meerhoff is an extremely proud residence and we grab every opportunity we can to

represent our house. Every Monday and at formal residence and leadership events,

Meerhoffians wear their official uniform. It is compulsory for all first years to wear

this uniform on Mondays for the duration of the year.

Each first year must please have:

Men:

Black collared button-up shirt

Chinos (beige)

Black/brown shoes

Ladies:

Black collared shirt/blouse

Chino pants/ skirt (beige)

Black/brown shoes

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A note to the parents: We kindly ask that all first years be present for the entire 10 days of the Welcoming Period and that

students stay at res and aren’t removed from the programme at any point, therefore where possible

please refrain from making appointments during this time.

A lot of planning goes into this week and academic time is sacrificed on the HK’s part to make

welcoming possible. Not only is it extremely difficult to keep track of students as we move between

Stellenbosch and Tygerberg campus if they are taken out of the program, but also impacts the first

years’ integration into the new environment which will be their home for the next year (and hopefully

many more).

All academic registration and faculty arranged events are compulsory and have been worked into our

welcoming programme, therefore the HK and chaperones will ensure that students are where they need

to be when they need to be there.

There will be time made available for parents see their children on the first and last Sunday of

welcoming, where they will have the afternoon off but will need to be back at res by 22h00. Any

additional free timeslots will be made known on the day of arrival.

Please remember to email the shirt and short sizes (S/M/L) to meerhoffprim@sun.ac.za

as soon as possible and remember to RSVP for how many guests will be attending the

welcoming braai!

We are excited to welcome

you to our home and for

you to be part of the

Meerhoff family.

Have a great holiday!

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Meerhoff

The House of Legends