University of the Witwatersrand Accommodation Fees

Catering Residences – Rentals & Meal Prices

Annual rentals and meals for catering residences – (ie residences in which dining hall meals are provided by the University) cover the standard undergraduate teaching terms, the examination periods and the April and September study breaks only.

The following rental & meal prices are applicable to catering residences only – ie to Barnato Hall, David Webster Hall, Ernest Oppenheimer Hall, Girton Hall, Jubilee Hall, Knockando Halls (Lighton Hall & Williams Hall), Medhurst Hall, Men’s Halls (College & Dalrymple), Reith Hall and Sunnyside Hall.

Accommodation rental in a double room is R44 997 per student and is exclusive of meals.

Total meal prices for the year differ according to the check-in dates and the check-out dates of each individual. At least 10 meals must be taken each week. The price per meal is R44,00.

(* – This is the initial booking pattern, but meal bookings may be rearranged electronically at will.) A once-off levy of R70,00 for a set of cutlery is included in the above pricing.

New first-year undergraduates receive free accommodation during the first five days of the orientation period – i.e. 25 to 29 January. (For Orientation Levy for new students, see C.6 below.)

A.2 Meal Plans

The number (code) for each meal option above indicates the number of meals with which a student will be provided each week – e.g. Option 10A, for example, provides 10 meals per week.

Full details of the “Wits Smart Dining” online meal booking system (which enables students to book additional meals, or to unbook a particular meal, or to move meal bookings) are available on registration.

Please note:

•Unfortunately the University is not able to cater for individuals with strict dietary needs, whether for religious or for medical reasons. Such students are therefore normally allocated to self-catering residences after

consideration of each individual’s needs.

•A student whose academic term dates do not correspond with the normal first-year undergraduate term dates should consult the Catering Liaison Officer responsible for his/her dining hall regarding the related

additional meals and the cost thereof.

A.3 Self-Catering Residences – Rentals

B. Periods Covered by Rentals

B.1 Catered Accommodation

The rentals and meal prices in Section A.1 cover the general undergraduate academic year, which is a period of about 39 weeks.

New first-year undergraduates in residences receive free accommodation during the first five days of the orientation period – i.e. 25 to 29 January. The normal rental period for residence students then commences on 30 January in preparation for the start of the academic year on Monday, 3 February.

A student whose academic year is longer than the general undergraduate academic year will be charged additional rentals and meals for the associated additional accommodation. This is especially applicable to Health Sciences students in clinical years of study and to postgraduates (including most Honours students). They must therefore consult the Accommodation Officers of their residences early in the year to confirm their personal term dates and associated additional charges, if any. Failure to do so will not absolve a student from the obligation to pay additional rental, and to pay for the related additional meals and levies.

Students in catering residences are required to vacate their residences during the mid-year vacation, but they are not required to do so during the April and September study breaks. A student in a catering residence may remain in his/her residence only until the day after he/she has completed his/her examinations. This applies to the mid-year and the end-of-year examination periods.

Note: Any student who remains in a catering residence without written permission for more than one night after his/her last examination in June/July or in November may face disciplinary and/or financial consequences, and may be excluded from the Residence Programme thereafter.

B.2 Self-Catering Accommodation

The accommodation period for International House and West Campus Village is the full calendar year. The accommodation period for The Wits Junction is 30 January to 30 November (10 months).

The accommodation period in other self-catering residences is 30 January until the day following the student’s last end-of-year examination. Students whose academic curriculum will require their presence on campus beyond these periods must consult the Accommodation Officers of their residences early in the year to confirm their personal term dates and additional accommodation requirements, and their additional rentals. Failure to do so will not absolve a student from the requirement that he/she pays additional rentals for the additional accommodation.

Additional accommodation for electives undertaken by Health Sciences students in their clinical years of study is not covered by the annual rental. Rental for such accommodation is payable in advance.

New first-year undergraduates in self-catered residences receive free accommodation during the first five days of the orientation period – i.e. 25 to 29 January. The normal rental period for residence students then commences on 30 January in preparation for the start of the academic year on Monday, 3 February. (For Orientation Levy for new students, see C.6 below.)

Note: Any student who remains in a self-catering residence (except International House, West Campus Village and Wits Junction) without permission for more than one night after his/her last November examination may face disciplinary and/or financial consequences, and may be excluded from residences thereafter.

B.3 Vacation Accommodation (for academic purposes only)

Residence students needing accommodation for academic or academic-related purposes outside of normal University terms must pay the associated vacation accommodation rentals in full in advance, or provide valid written guarantees of payment from recognised sponsors.

Vacation accommodation rates are available from the Central Accommodation Office.

C. General Information

C.1 Application Charges – new applicants only

There is a non-refundable application charge of R125 for a double room and R625 for a single room.

C.2 Deposit to secure a residence place – NEW APPLICANTS ONLY

A non-refundable deposit of R990 is payable upon acceptance of a residence offer for 2021. After a student registers at his/her residence, this amount will be credited to the student’s general fee account. Those who do not register at their residences by 12:00 on Monday 27 January will forfeit this deposit and their residence offers will be cancelled unless they have notified the University in writing by 17 January either of their intention to arrive late, or of the cancellation of their residence applications.

C.3 Payment of residence rentals, meals and levies

A payment of R10,000 being the initial instalment is due before admission to any residence. The balance is due by 31 March. Special arrangements may be made directly with the Fees Office to pay off this portion in instalments. The only exceptions to the initial instalment requirement in C.3 above are –

(i)a student whose residence rentals, meals and levies will be met in full by bursaries, scholarships, NSFAS financial aid packages or by recognised sponsors, and who submits acceptable written evidence of such support to the Accommodation Officer of the student’s assigned residence and to the Fees Office;

(ii)those who have entered into special rental and meal payment agreements at the Fees Office;

(iii)international students, all of whom are required to pay 75% of their annual residence rentals and meals before admission to a residence, and the balance in full by 31 March.

C.4 Failure to pay fees

If a student fails to pay 100% of his/her residence charges by 31 March (or, in the case of a student who has entered into an instalment agreement with the Fees Office, by the agreed date for payment of the final instalment), his/her examination results may be withheld, and the student will not be admitted to

a University residence during the following academic year.

If a student who has entered into an instalment payment agreement with the Fees Office has fallen behind in his/her payments by the end of the first term (i.e. by 22 June), he/she will have forfeited his/her

rights to further accommodation during the remainder of the year.

C.5 Withdrawal from University accommodation

If a student wishes to withdraw from University accommodation during the academic year, a minimum of one month’s written notice is required.

•If, however, cancellation occurs after 31 July, the student shall be liable for the entire rental and

associated charges for the year, and shall not be entitled to any refund, except for students registered for Masters by coursework whose programme ends after the 31st July and students who are excluded

or de-registered by the Faculty.

•When cancelling accommodation in a catered residence, the student must also notify the Catering Liaison Officer of the related dining hall in writing that the remaining booked meals for the year must be cancelled. Failure to do so will render the student liable for the cost of all meals originally booked for the remainder of the year.

C.6 Levies

The following annual levies are not included in the annual rentals, and are charged separately, where applicable:

•a pro rata Appliance Levy to cover electricity for catering appliances belonging to a student –

•an Orientation Week Levy of R950 for all new first-year undergraduates to cover two meals per day, T- shirts, transport and other expenses associated with the Orientation Programme.

C.7 Cost of replacement keys

Because high-security locks are used in most residences, students who lose keys are required to pay for replacement keys and/or cylinders at prices ranging between R150 and R590 per key, depending upon the type of lock.

C.8 University students attending conferences or sports tournaments

Rentals and/or meal charges for students residing in Wits residences for conferences or inter-varsity sports events during vacations shall be as per the standard prices determined by Higher Education South Africa (HESA) or SASSU.

C.9 Residence rentals for persons other than registered students

The rentals and meals associated with conferences or other events during University vacations vary between R240 and R520 per day, depending upon the category and standard of accommodation, the number of meals, and other requested services.

C.10 Rebates/Refunds/Discounts

Rebates on residence rentals, meals and levies are not permitted for any period during which a student is absent from the University whether because of illness, academic excursions, electives or other causes. No student is entitled to any discount in respect of residence rentals, meals and levies, for any reason whatsoever.

C.11 Interest & VAT

Interest will be charged on all overdue accounts.

VAT is payable where required by law.