Maintaining Rhodes as a Centre for Excellence

Library

An Electronic Information Centre in the Main Library
The advent of technology has significantly altered the pattern of student library usage, now that much information, particularly in the area of academic journals, is on line and on copyrighted databases for which the library has licences. The proposed Electronic Information Centre would house:

- an electronic classroom for hands-on instruction tutorials for both students and academics in how to use digital information resources to their best advantage.

- clusters of computers where students and staff can access the Web, all electronic resources, catalogues of online articles and volumes and the software needed for performing research and essay projects required by specific courses.

- A multi-media centre with video and audio booths to support the increasing use of videos, CDs and Web applications in teaching programmes.

R3.4 million

Centre for Media Law
Media law involves more than constitutional rights and liability for defamation: knowledge of mundane aspects of the judicial system and court processes, the law of contract, employment, advertising, business structures, publishing, intellectual property and cyberspace are vital to the rendering of professional services by the media industry. The Centre's purpose will be to establish a database of media law material; to conduct and promote research into the law affecting the role and function of the media in a modern democratic society; and to offer specialised training in media law to lawyers and journalists at undergraduate and postgraduate levels as well as by means of certificated training courses.

R18 375 835 (Proposal contemplates start-up costs of R800k and the establishment of an endowed fund of R17,5 million)

Upgraded Pharmacy Library
Our professional, industrial and academic colleagues have long admired the Faculty of Pharmacy library's journal holdings, and the collection is considered to be the best in the country. Unfortunately, lack of appropriate funding coupled by the rapidly declining value of our currency over the last few years has resulted in significant reduction in journal holdings and few new books have been purchased in recent years.

R950 000

Communications and Technology

Expansion of the Residence IT Network
Rhodes University has, over the past thirty years, established itself as one of the leading centres for the study of Computer Science, Information Systems and Information Technology. In order to stay ahead in this rapidly changing field, it is vital that the University is able to offer its students, regardless of their academic discipline, access to technological services that will equip them with the skills necessary for surviving in an increasingly technology-dominated economy.

R3 635 000 (Includes provision of fibre optic cabling, wireless networking and dial-up solution for off-campus students)

Campus Development

Residences
Rhodes is currently one of only two universities in the country whose student numbers are growing and with this growth comes a greater demand for residence facilities. Student diversity of both race and gender is ongoing and major efforts are in place to recruit black male and female students from disadvantaged backgrounds. These disadvantaged students have a greater need for residence accommodation, as they cannot afford the high cost of scarce alternative accommodation.

R25 000 000
(Rhodes is currently building 3 new residences using borrowed funding at a cost of about R8 million per residence. This is an all inclusive cost and funders may consider funding specific elements of the total for example: Furniture: carpeting: lighting: electrical: plumbing etc.)

New Pool
The lack of a suitable competition pool at Rhodes has been identified as an urgent need for the various popular aquatic activities offered on campus. The existing pool no longer suits this purpose and opportunities exist to embrace the needs of both the broader Grahamstown community as well as those of recreational swimmers amongst the student population.

R3 635 000
(Includes all elements of the construction and offers donors a wide range of building disciplined based funding opportunities as well as for the provision of specialized equipment.)

Library
(See also funding request for the Electronic Information Centre)
In order to establish a computerised information centre within the main library, the existing facilities need to be extended. Donors may negotiate naming rights and other suitable recognition for donations made.

R8.4 million

Maintaining the Infrastructure - campus enhancement
Rhodes strives to provide an attractive, safe, nurturing and well-equipped environment that is conducive to good scholarship and collegiality. Beautifully architectured buildings set amongst rolling lawns which are complemented by abundant tree and plant species are one of Rhodes most treasured assets. We believe it to be part of the "Rhodes Experience" that current and future students are able to conduct their scholastic objectives in well-maintained and attractive surroundings. This can only be achieved by regular maintenance of the campus facilities. The cost of this is beyond the current means of the University.

Funds donated, either by way of cash or 'in-kind', would be utilised to maintain and repair selected buildings. Funding opportunities exist in all building disciplines and donors may negotiate naming rights on buildings as well as other suitable recognition for donations made.

R5 million

If you or your company can assist the University with any of the Campaign projects, we can be contacted at development@ru.ac.za

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