Rhodes University Jameson House

A safe, comfortable, supportive home

In support of the vision and mission statement of the Rhodes University Residential System, COURTENAY-LATIMER HALL aims to provide a home for students that:
• is safe, comfortable and supportive;
• is conducive to their academic success, maturation of intellect and character, and personal growth in all spheres of life;
• fosters personal responsibility and authority, with disciplinary measures used only as a recourse to protect the rights and well-being of all;
• provides an atmosphere of mutual cooperation, respect, and consideration for others.
In addition to safe accommodation, Courtenay-Latimer Hall seeks to foster an ethos of cultural and racial conciliation, and tolerance of diversity, thus empowering young adults to make a positive contribution to society.

Please click on the link below to retrieve the booklet (it may take a few minutes to load)
‌Hall Rule Book 2024

The document with the Hall Constitution may be downloaded here in pdf format:
The Hall Constitution is available here

Courtenay_Latimer Hall Coat of ArmsCoats of Arms are historical “logos”. Those of Courtenay-Latimer Hall were designed by Prof. Hugh Smith for what was known as Oriel Hall; he also compiled the brief history reproduced here (1984).

THE COAT OF ARMS OF COURTENAY-LATIMER HALL

This coat of arms is an adaptation of the coat of arms of Oriel College in the University of Oxford – the college of which Cecil John Rhodes was a student. The coat of arms of Oriel College consists of three lions passant guardant on a red field within an engrailed red border. For the Courtenay-Latimer Hall coat of arms this has been changed to a gold lion rampant on a blue field within a gold engrailed (scalloped) border. The Hall coat of arms contains two escallops (shells) taken from the Rhodes University coat of arms, and one of the chargers from each of the coats of arms of the Houses in the Hall.

THE COATS OF ARMS OF THE HOUSES

These three coats of arms are of a uniform design, the shield being divided ‘per cherron’ – i.e. in a ^ shape. The partition line between the gold upper portion and the lower coloured portion is engrailed to emphasise the connection between the Houses and the Hall. Each House coat of arms also has two escallops in its design, again recalling that the house is part of Courtenay-Latimer Hall, and further also part of Rhodes University.

Beit House Coat of ArmsIt is uncertain whether Beit House is named after Alfred Beit or Otto Beit. It was thus not possible to take any device from the arms of either. However, both Alfred and Otto were most generous financially in the field of education, and the gold torch (symbolic of education and enlightenment) recalls this. The two gold coins (bezants) on the black field recall the association of the Beits with the gold mining industry.
Jameson House Coat of ArmsThe coat of arms of Jameson House has as its principal charge a silver mace on a red field. This recalls that Sir Leander Starr Jameson was the Prime Minister of the house of Assembly of the Cape of Good Hope (1914 – 1908). (The mace is typically a symbol of Parliament or parliamentary government). The thistle recalls that Jameson was born in Scotland; and it is balanced by a fleur-de-lys taken from the coat of arms of the Cape of Good Hope.
Oriel House Coat of ArmsThe coat of arms of Oriel House has as its principal charge a flying golden oriole – a pun on the name of the House and of the bird. This is called ‘canting heraldry’ and is a common feature of heraldic design. The flames in base recall that Oriel House was built during the Great War (1914-1918) and the whole may be seen as a bird of hope and peace flying over the flames of war, as well as of the faith of those who built the House when men were busy destroying.

Jameson in Summer

A three story building with elegant proportions and wooden shutters at the windows, Jameson House has been a home to students since 1921.
More important than the bricks and mortar, the residence is held together by a rich cultural diversity, lasting friendships and lively personalities that combine to create a unique and rich resonance which forms the real character of Jameson.

Location

Situated in close proximity to the Library, Eden Grove, the Sanatorium, the Campus Protection Unit and the Students Union, Jameson is very centrally placed. It accommodates the House Warden and 61 students. On three floors there are 57 single bedrooms with shared ablution facilities, and 2 en-suite double bedrooms.

Your Room

To see a student room click here

‘Resnet’

Jameson is connected to ‘Resnet’, the University Computer Network which enables students to connect to the Web from their bedrooms. There are also many computer labs available on campus for you to use.

Amenities

There are: a shared living room area with 2 television sets with DSTV, DVD and video recorder; an on site laundry facility, with 2 automatic washing machines and 2 tumble driers; 2 microwaves; 2 fridges

To Bring or Not to Bring

First years sharing joke

The first couple of weeks at university can be somewhat overwhelming, but Orientation Week is geared to make your transition easier.

‌Information to Bring

The Wardens of the Hall keep track of emergency details for each student, such as the contact details of the Next of Kin or a person to contact in the case of an emergency. These would typically include a phone number (at work, home and a cell phone number if available), as well as a work/home address.
If you are on a Medical Aid please bring the relevant information (e.g. Medical Aid Number and the name of the Medical Aid Scheme) so that you can fill the necessary forms in as quickly and as accurately as possible.

Things to Bring

Please note that the following items are suggestions that students have found useful. If you live far from Grahamstown, it may be difficult to bring everything on this list. While you might want to consider bringing some or all of the following items with you, keep in mind that there are shopping outlets in Grahamstown, where you can buy most of the items. If you plan to hang decorations on your walls, they can be attached to the picture rail, but you may not use tape, prestik or any other adhesives on your bedroom walls; Prestik may be used on wood, eg the wardrobe doors. The university provides bedlinen, including 2 pillows, a duvet and a blanket. You may bring your own curtains or bedlinen, but you will then be responsible for their laundering. Beds are single, but duvets and covers provided by the University are threequarter size. In your room there is a heater on the wall, and most of the rooms have a hand basin.
During vacations the students’ personal belongings are stored in our boxrooms. Although some people bring metal trunks, remember that these are large, heavy to transport and to cart up and down the stairs. Please do not buy one specially. For boxroom storage students mostly use cartons sealed with tape and labelled. Our boxrooms are well secured.

More important items are:

In order to make use of the University’s computer network from your residence, check what is required HERE
key ring
kettle
tray for kettle
drinking mug and glass
cereal bowl
Microwave dish
fork, knife, spoon, can/bottle opener
small cooler bag with zip and padlock (to store foodstuff in communal fridge)
toiletries
bath and swimming towels
laundry basket or bag
washing powder (for cold water)
alarm clock
flashlight /torch (rechargeable, or one that works by squeezing a handle or shaking)
radio/stereo, preferably with headphones!
Desk or laptop computer is desirable as residences have internet connectivity
hangers for clothes
good quality multiplug extension
hairdryer
calculator
exampads and clipboard
scissors
stapler
stationery
door message pad (A6 size) and pencil
punch
files for storage of notes
metal picture hooks to fit over picture rail
Some smart or formal clothes for events such as balls and formal dinners
Umbrella or raincoat
Also useful is an adaptor to convert a square pin 13 amp (English Type) electrical socket to a round pin 15 amp (South African type). You have one of each kind of socket in your room. Note that the wall heater provided in your room has a dedicated socket; nothing else should be plugged into the heater socket. Remember an adaptor for your phone charger or laptop.

Less important items to bring are:

backpack or book satchel
bag or plastic basket for toiletries
bathrobe and slippers
plastic bucket
Iron (few students use this)
camera
sewing kit
electric fan

Not recommended (reminder):

Large metal trunks are not necessary. They are awkward to transport to and from Grahamstown, are too heavy for women students to carry up and down stairs and do not fit easily into our box rooms. Our box rooms are securely managed and are quadruple locked over the vacations. Students usually pack their things into sealed labelled cardboard cartons for storage.

Things Not to Bring (definitely not!)

Certain household items pose a fire hazard when utilized in buildings inhabited by many people. Students are not allowed these things in the residence:
air conditioner
electric blanket
Small electrical appliances such as:
coffee maker
toaster/toaster oven
snackwich or waffle maker
electric frypan
hot plate
grill
microwave oven
immersion heater
refrigerator
homemade extension cord
extension cords with joins in them
heater
hot plate
candles
incense (application for restricted use for religious purposes may be made)
pets

Hall Administrator

Ms Janine Hayward

Tel no: +27 046 6038575
email: j.hayward@ru.ac.za
Address: Oriel House, Private Bag 1031, Grahamstown, 6140

Rhodes University Jameson House