University can be a daunting experience, especially if you’re a newbie on campus. So to help first years navigate their new environment the Wits Vuvuzela team has put together a list of crucial contacts with which we all need to be familiar.
Not feeling safe on campus?
Campus control is tasked with keeping students and staff safe at all times. So if you feel unsafe and need to be escorted to your res, here are the numbers to call: East Campus: 011 717 4444 / 6666. Health Sciences Campus: 011 717 2222 / 2232. Education Campus: 011 717 3340. Business School: 011 717 3589. There are emergency panic buttons at numerous locations throughout the campus. These can be identified by the orange panel surrounding the buttons.
The following is a list of crime hot spots to look out for: Intersection of Jorissen and Bertha streets, outside Wits Art Museum; Jorissen Street outside the Richard Ward building; Braamfontein cemetery; Parktown area: Girton, St. Andrews, St. Davids and Winchester roads; Municipal parks (Peter Roos Park in particular).
Where to find 24 hour security personnel: East Campus: Room 1, Central Block ; Health Sciences Campus: Main foyer, Ground floor, Faculty of Health Sciences; West Campus: FNB Building; Education Campus: Administration Block.
Experiencing gender-based violence on campus?
Gender-Based Harm (GBH) includes sexism (unfair discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation); sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape; abuse of power and conflict of interest based on sexual/romantic relationships. To report GBH on campus make use of the following contacts of The Gender Equity Office (GEO): Jackie Dugard, Director 011 717 9792 Jackie.Dugard@wits.ac.za; Charlene Beukes, Investigation and Advocacy Officer 011 717 9784 Charlene.Beukes@wits.ac.za; Maria Wanyane, Clinical Social Worker 011 717 9791 Maria.Wanyane@wits.ac.za; Pulane Zucula, Office Manager 011 717 9790 Pulane.Zucula@wits.ac.za.
The Gender Equity Office offers its services free of charge to all staff members and students.
Not coping with your studies and need someone to talk to?
The Counselling and Career Development Unit (CCDU) is the place to go. CCDU “provides a welcoming and safe space to students, to enhance their well-being and contribute to their academic success”. Services provided by CCDU include: Career Services, Therapy, HIV/Aids Education and Support services, Graduate Recruitment, and University Student Employment. Here’s how to get in touch with them: West Campus (Main Office): CCDU Building, Wits University Closest Entrance: Gate 9, Enoch Sontonga Ave, Braamfontein. Tel: 011 717 9140 / 32. Email: info.ccdu@wits.ac.za. Education Campus: Administration Building, Education Campus, Parktown, Tel: 011 717 326.
Young Buds: First year commerce students, Sindi Mahlangu and Hlonipho Nalana atthe library lawns flea market. Photo: Lwandile Fikeni
Lost your student card?
All lost/stolen student cards must be reported to Campus Control immediately to prevent unauthorised use of the card.
