by Margaret Louw
Photo: Kris Bence
With the beginning of a new year, Stellenbosch is once again swarmed by lots of lost students beginning their first year. Whether in a residence or CSC, all newcomers in Welcoming will be shepherded around by a group of senior student leaders. However, with so many new terms and groups it can be hard to keep straight who everyone is and what they do
The House Committee (HC) is the leadership group with the widest range of responsibilities. They are essentially the student leaders of their residence or CSC, and manage the sub-committees and other students. They are led by the Prim and Vice-Prim, and each HC has different responsibilities and portfolios, such as Vensters or Finances. The HC organises the activities for newcomers during welcoming, but they also keep events for all students running throughout the year,
such as house meetings, house dances and socials.
Aadilah Yunus, third year BA (Humanities) student and Head Mentor of Harmonie residence, describes mentors as a student support system. Mentors are there to help newcomers adapt to university academically and emotionally. They enable newcomers to feel more comfortable and make sure that they are taking care of themselves. Mentors work with smaller groups of newcomers, which gives them the chance to build stronger friendships.
The Seniors Committee (seniors comm) is meant to foster connections between seniors and newcomers. As Sidney Poggenpoel, third year BA Humanities student and Seniors HC of Harmonie residence states, “They facilitate bonding between the newcomers and seniors and help everyone feel at ease with each other.” It is made up of seniors who dedicate their time to setting up welcoming activities and helping newcomers settle in. Outside of welcoming they also organise events for and attend to the well-being of the senior students.
Welcoming week may go by in a blur of activity, but that is not the end of the leadership’s obligation to help newcomers. They will carry their duties over to the academic year and when the time comes, they will pass the baton to the next group of leaders. By the end of the year, this year’s newcomers will have the chance to grow into their leadership capacity by becoming next year’s HC, mentors and seniors comm.
