Student Guide

ABSENCE FROM THE UNIVERSITY

A student who misses any academic activity (eg. atutorial or practical) during the academic year due toillness or other good reason must submit a medicalcertificate or some other documentary evidence,including exact dates of absence, to the relevantFaculty Office to explain the reason for the absence.You should also give a copy of yourmedical certificateto the academic department/s concerned. If you missa test, you should also contact the Faculty Office assoon as possible.

ACCOMMODATION  

At Wits our residences are LIVING and LEARNING centres. You are at Wits to gain an education, so your academic work must be your highest priority, but you must also find a bit of time to relax and to socialise, and – very importantly – to exercise.  Support is provided in each residence to students that are experiencing difficulties (academic or personal).

BANKS 

Branches and ATMs of all major banks are located in The Matrix. For security reasons some of the banks will not handle cash transactions other than through an ATM.      

BOOKS AND BOOK LISTS

The University has an officially appointed stockist, Van Schaik Bookstore, which undertakes to stock all the books you need for your courses.  Bookshops are located in The Matrix on the East Campus, in the DJ du Plessis Building on the West Campus and at the Medical School.  Lists of prescribed books are kept at the Bookshop, as well as at other points around campus such as the Faculty Offices and Libraries.

BUS SERVICE

The Inter Campus Bus Service provides transportation for Wits registered students between the various Wits campuses and residences.  Two buses in the fleet have wheelchair access.  Bus timetables are displayed at the major bus stops, and on campus and residence notice boards.

CAMPUS CONTROL

The Campus Control Division is responsible for the prevention of crime, the detection and apprehension of offenders, the preservation of peace and the protection of students, staff and University property.  Security officers patrol the entire campus 24 hours a day. Services offered by Wits Campus Control include a 24-hour escort service (on campus) for all students and staff, especially those working late in libraries or computer labs.  There are emergency panic buttons at numerous locations throughout the campus.

CAMPUS HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTRE

The health care services are cost-effective, convenient, accessible and comprehensive. We subscribe to international norms, ethics and standards of health delivery. Ethical principles and human rights underpin our practice values. The care provided is patient/client centred to ensure optimum satisfaction with our service. 

CINEMAS AND FILM SCREENINGS

The nearest cinemas are in Rosebank. Films are also shown on campus by student clubs and societies - watch student notice boards for details.

CODE OF CONDUCT

All students are given a copy of the General Rules for Student Conduct, which also contains a copy of the University’s Code of Conduct. A Code of Conduct also governs the use of computer facilities at the University, as well the use of University libraries.  Please ensure that you are familiar with the contents of these documents. Ignoring them may result in disciplinary action.

COMPUTER AND NETWORK SERVICES 

The Service Desk/Support Centre is the single point of contact between the student and CNS, in the form of telephonic or face-to-face assistance regarding all computer based problems.  Upon registration all students are allocated a network account (granting access to computer applications and the internet). When you register details of your student portal and email account will be sent to you via SMS.  PCs and printers are available to students for use in Computer Labs situated across campuses. Student assistants  are available at each of the labs to assist from 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

COMMISSIONERS OF OATHS

 
Commissioners of Oaths are available on the Concourse, Ground Floor, Senate House daily from 08:30 to 16:00.

COPYRIGHT

By law, we are obliged to comply with the SA Copyright Act No. 98 of 1978 (as amended). The University’s policy ensures that we respect the rights of authors and publishers and pay reasonable licence fees, where required by law. Copyright infringement could result in legal action and possible awards of damages.

The Copyright law permits the making of limited numbers of copies of works for personal or private use and research or private study, without having to apply for copyright permission.

COUNSELLING AND CAREERS DEVELOPMENT UNIT (CCDU)

If you want to make career decisions, develop job searchskills, acquire information on study opportunities or discuss a personal problem with a counsellor, CCDU has a team of highly professional and experienced psychologists, social workers, career educators, support staff and intern psychologists with a positive outlook and a strong work ethic aimed at helping students make the best of their time at Wits.

CURRICULUM PLANNING

This is done by the Faculty that is offerring the degree. A Faculty Officer in appropriate Faculty should be consulted for curriculum planning.

DISABILITY UNIT

The Diability Unit is a support unit that is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities have equal access to educational opportunities at Wits so they can participate, freely and actively, in all facets of university life. We pledge to assist students with disabilities in being reasonably accommodated in academic and non-academic programmes, and we endeavour to make the learning environment a rewarding and enriched through the design of innovative learning and working environments.

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL ON CAMPUS

 Students should note that it is an offence to possess or to make use of any illegal or habit-forming substance, or to supply such substance to any other person on campus.  Students who are addicted to or dependent on any substance, including alcohol, may seek assistance from the Campus Health and Wellness Centre or CCDU. These services are widely used by students and consultations are dealt with in the strictest confidence. 

EFFECTIVE STUDYING

Studying effectively is a dream that most studentsstrive towards. While some basic elements ofstudying remain the same,the challenges of studying effectively differ from one person to the next.  CCDU has a useful DVD on Study Skills that all students should view. Contact the Unit for details.

E-MAIL

Every student will be given a Wits e-mail addresswhen he/she enrols. It is extremely importantto check your e-mails regularly because Wits sends out the following important information via e-mail: Examination results, confirmation of details of enrolment and letters relating to academic readmission decisions.

FACULTY OFFICES

Each faculty of the University has its own Faculty Office which deals with administrative matters relating to degrees and diplomas.  

FEES

The Schedule of Fees booklet is given to all students.Please make sure that you are familiar with the contents of the booklet.Tuition fees are payable for each course for which you are registered. Ancillary charges for items suchas course notes or excursions will be charged to your fee account. Your student fee account will be emailed to your WITS student email address.

FIELD TRIP BUS BOOKINGS

Special bus trips for students can be booked using theapproved transport service providers only. Service providers are reviewed and approved by the Services Department. Information on approved transport service providers can be obtained from the Services Department.

GOVERNANCE OF THE UNIVERSITY

The University of the Witwatersrand is a statutorybody which is governed by Acts of Parliament and the Statute of the University.

 GREAT HALL

In addition to being used for all major University ceremonies, the Great Hall is one of Johannesburg’s premier music venues. The Hall is also used for University Assemblies.

HAWKING AND INFORMAL BUSINESS

According to the University policy, hawking and the conduct of informal business are not allowed on campus. This includes the selling of food, telephone cards, posters, books, etc. from any make shift location - eg. tables under the trees on the library lawns, door to door selling and so on, as well as the unauthorised installation of vending machines of any description.

INSIGNIA AND TRADEMARKS

The coat of arms of the University, all its insigniaand its name are protected by law. No individual student may make use of the name of the University or its insignia for any personal purpose whatsoever. Officially recognised bodies (eg. recognised student clubs) may use University insignia only within the precincts of the University.

INSURANCE

The life and physical person of every registeredstudent is, however, insured for limited amounts.  The personal possessions of students are not coveredby the University’s insurance policies. 

LAW CLINIC

The Wits Law Clinic is a respected law office that has been involved in many precedent-setting cases in our courts. At present, we offer the following units of specialisation: family, labour, delict, urban evictions,refugee and a general unit which concentrates on consumer and contract law. In addition to offering theses services the Law Clinic also provides all final year law students the opportunity to learn through practice.

LIBRARIES AT WITS

Be adventurous! Actively explore the Wits Library System and its many resources. You will find books, journals, videos, state of the art electronic resources and wonderful historical treasures.

LOCKERS

Any registered student may hire a locker from the SRC or the Health Sciences Students’ Council. 

LOST PROPERTY

Please hand any found items immediately to the Lost Property Office, Campus Control Division, Room 24 Central Block, East Campus.

MUSEUMS

The University has numerous cultural facilities, including nine museums. Even if you are not using any of these museums for research, take time to visit some of them. It is well worth the effort!

NOTICES/POSTERS

All student notices/posters displayed on notice boards throughout the Campus must be stamped with the official SRC date stamp or, sports related events, with the Sports Administration stamp. If a notice is put on a notice board without the stamp, it will be removed. Notices should be posted only on the appropriate student notice boards. An exception to this rule is made during the annual SRC Elections when election posters may be attached to designated walls.

ORIGINS CENTRE

The Origins Centre is one of a new generation of museums. The days of quiet contemplation, pinned insects and dusty exhibits are long gone. Enter the newbrand of museum: a place that reveres the ancient, rare and priceless, but reverberates with energy, modernismand continual learning. A place that is defined by flux and advancement.

PARKING

Traffic control measures at Wits are designed to ensure the orderly admission of vehicles to campus, free flow of traffic and disciplined use of parking space. Access to student parking with a few exceptions, is restricted to the Wits Education Campus car park and West Campus throughout the year, including vacations and public holidays.

PLANETARIUM

Under the huge green dome of South Africa’slargest planetarium, the lights disappear and the stars and constellations of the South African skies shine brightly.

PLAGIARISM

Plagiarism is: “The unjustified taking of the ideas, thoughts and writings contained in a particular source and submitting them as if the ideas, thoughts and writings are your own, whereas in fact they are not.” It is not only dishonest - it is an academic offence and offenders may face severe disciplinary action.

POSTAL SERVICES

The Post Office in Senate House offers a full rangeof postal services, including private post boxes.

PROCUREMENT OFFICE

The Procurement Office is responsible for all issues related to procurement on behalf of the University.  This entails vetting and loading details of vendors onto the University’s finance database, issuing and compiling of tenders and managing the entire procurement process with proper procedures and guidelines.

PROPERTY & INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT DIVISION 

PIMD is responsible for all building, property and grounds management matters.  Taking care of your campus and assisting us to curb vandalism means that more funds can be spent on the upgrading of lecture theatres and other infrastructure requirements.