Merensky Library
It is very important to have fun while attending university, but at the same time you should never forget the reason for being here, which is obviously to study. The Merensky library is the biggest library at Tuks and is situated next to the Humanities building.
Depending on your degree and which campus you are situated on, most of the resources required for completing assignments, tests and exams should be available here.
If you need a place to study that is on campus, there are study stations available for use at any time in the library. There are also discussion rooms which need to be booked in advance to work on group assignments and a Xerox room where photocopies of reserved books may be made.
Merensky library. Photo: Hendro van der Merwe
Student Health Services (SHS)
The SHS was started by doctors in 1974 under the DSA and was under the control of the Department of Family Medicine. In 1976 the organisation was allowed to function independently and was integrated with the Student Service bureau. Currently the services offered by SHS include the provision of primary healthcare, health education and promotion, the screening for and monitoring of chronic conditions, and HIV/ AIDS counselling and testing (VCT). There is also a reproduction clinic which specialises in family planning and women’s health, as well as a doctor’s clinic. It is important to note that confidentiality is maintained should students want to utilise these services. The SHS’ base of operations is located on Main campus in the SHS Building on Roper Street opposite the Roosmaryn building. Student Health Services can be contacted on 012 420 2500. In case of an emergency they can be contacted on 012 420 2310.
Student Health Services. Photo: Hendro van der Merwe
Client Services Centre (CSC)
The CSC building is probably the easiest building to find as it is located directly in front of the main entrance of the Hatfield (Main) campus. If you have any questions or problems related to residence enquiries, applications to study, payments, student accounts, financial aid, access cards, parking, available student jobs, course consultation or any other general enquiries it would be best to visit the CSC building. If you are not on campus or in Pretoria you can still get in contact with client services by calling 012 420 4111.
Client Service Centre. Photo: Hendro van der Merwe
Student Support Division
The Student Support Division is a part of the DSA. This division deals with student counselling and offers services such as psychometric testing, career planning, education about study methods, stress handling, personal empowerment, the cultivation of life skills, trauma counselling and developing relationship skills. All of these services are free of charge for all registered students of Tuks and confidentiality is guaranteed. Students who need trauma counselling after hours can call the toll-free 24-hour crisis line on 0800 006 428. The division is located on Main campus in the Student Center building across from Pie City, which is in the Piazza area. Their office hours are from 07:30 to 16:00. During office hours the division can be contacted on 012 420 2333. Outside of office hours the division can be contacted on 012 420 2310/2760. Alternatively, an email can be sent to the division at: ethel.motlhamme@up.ac.za.
Student Support. Photo: Hendro van der Merwe
Centre for the Study of Aids (CSA):
The centre was founded in 1999 by Mary Crew. It is the only organisation that operates independantly on the university grounds. The CSA’s mission statement is to provide services for students and information about HIV and AIDS. In 2015 this mission statement will change to also focus on sexual health and wellbeing, which includes giving advice on how to deal with unwanted pregnancies. Services offered by the CSA include a voluntary nine week entry level internship program. Upon completion of this internship students will be able to volunteer in one of the centre’s two programmes: a community outreach programme and an education and awareness programme that is aimed at creating awareness about HIV and AIDS. Other programmes which students can volunteer in are: expression (the writing team for the centre), HIV counselling (which includes being in charge of the HIV testing offered by the CSA on campus) or becoming members of the CSA’s trainers programme. The centre is located on Main campus above Oom Gert’s on the second floor of the Huis en Hart building. Students can contact the centre on 012 420 4391, or alternatively on 012 420 5876. The centre can be emailed at: csa@up.ac.za. There is also a website that can be viewed at www.csa.za.org.
Centre for the Study of Aids. Photo: Brendan Fraser
Student Disability Unit
The Student Disability Unit is a part of the Department of Student Affairs (DSA) and was founded in 2003 following the students expressing a need for such a centre to the university management in 2002.
The services offered by the unit include computer labs with assistive software installed to predominantly assist visually impaired students. Other services include arrangements for extra time on tests and exams for all students who present a medical report of proof of disability, and testing venues for examination purposes, primarily for students who need the aid of scribes. The unit will also scan reading material and convert it into accessible electronic formats which will be saved to one of the “talking” computers in the disability unit. This is to aid visually impaired students with the studying of their course material.
The unit employs full-time disability officers who are available for consultation about issues concerning disability and accessibility. The unit is in the middle of Main campus right next to the Kiosk in the Old Chemistry building in room 1-4. The unit can be contacted on 012 420 2064. Students can also send an email to the unit at: du@up.ac.za. For more information see their website at www.du.up.ac.za.
Student Disability Unit. Photo: Hendro van der Merwe
Student Centre
There is always something going on at university, and it is almost always at the Student Centre. The Student Centre is situated in the centre of Hatfield campus and is often used by various groups such as businesses, political parties and societies to promote products or ideas. It is very common to see large groups surrounding the area. The Student Centre is also inhabited by various stores where you can purchase stationary, textbooks, food or even book flights.
Student Centre. Photo: Hendro van der Merwe