Dear prospective Ireners

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Due to the new residence placing policy, we will no longer accept any CV applications. All application will be handled internally by university admin. You are thus free to apply for Irene through your university application form.

Also, feel free to ask any questions by e-mailing the primaria at 21032513@sun.ac.za. They will be answered as soon as possible by our House Committee.

If you would like to see photos of Irene activities and events during the year, please navigate to our gallery.

Welcoming

On the first day you arrive at the doors of Irene’s foyer, you will be warmly greeted by our democratically elected House Committee (HC) consisting of 14 senior Ireners. The HC will make sure you settle into your assigned room comfortably and will then proceed to guide you through the rest of the Welcoming program.

Irene’s front foyer.

Newcomers are given the opportunity to perform in the annual, local, street theatre known as “Vensters”. We also give them a chance to socialise with other residences at socials during the Welcoming period.

However, we are first and foremost here to study at Stellenbosch University, therefore, newcomers are also taken through their own faculty’s tour and welcoming programme to receive vital information about their courses. At Irene, we strive for excellence in networking, culture, sport and academics. Each newcomer is assigned a mentor who is studying in the same faculty. Newcomers participate in regular mentor sessions to help them learn what to expect and how they should handle their workload and timetable.

All welcoming activities are voluntary, but we highly recommend it to ensure that newcomers are successfully integrated into Irene and their study environment. Newcomers should look forward to making friendships that last a lifetime and having the best years of their life!

Catering

Irene’s catering service is Bidvest, who offer a variety of delicious, well-prepared meals.

Irene has a beautiful dining hall, which is open for all students who form part of the Wimbledon Cluster to dine there. The kitchen is Halaal-certified as of 2016.  

Meals can be booked online at the MyMaties page. Quota for meals is loaded onto every Irener’s student account. Meals have to be booked 2 days in advance.
If students prefer to buy and make their own food, there are 5 kitchenettes distributed throughout Irene. They are equipped with a hydroboil, sink and microwave.

Kitchenette

Alternatively, there are two food hubs within a 100m of the back entrance of Irene, where Ireners can order meals and also charge this on their student accounts (we call this meal account COB).

One of the food hubs behind Irene.

Accommodation

The average room for newcomers consists of 2 single beds, 2 built-in wooden cupboards, 2 wooden mounted bookcases (3 shelves), 2 wooden desks, 2 chairs, 2 pin-noticeboards, 2 towel railings, 2 power sockets, 2 LAN internet ports, a full-length mirror and a large window.

All newcomers will be placed in a double room like this one with a matched roommate.

Twice a week, Bidvest Cleaning give residents the option of having their rooms vacuumed and mopped.

The typical room for newcomers.

Bathroom and Laundry Facilities

Irene is divided into 10 sections with 5 modern bathrooms strategically placed around the residence. Each bathroom has 5 showers, 1 bath, 5 basins, 5 mirrors and 5 toilets. The showers are each enclosed in private cubicles.

Our bathrooms.

There is a laundry room on the ground floor where we have washing machines, tumble dryers and basins for washing clothes. Next to the laundry room, we have a quad to hang clothes in the sunshine to dry. Bidvest Cleaning are responsible for cleaning the bathrooms daily.

Chill Areas

There are also 5 comfortable chill areas situated throughout the building, each equipped with its own kitchenette.

The Quad

Irene encloses a beautiful shady quad at it’s heart. It contains benches for eating outside on those hot days and a braai area. It offers a grassy place to cool down or relax. Many of Irene’s “Vensters” practices take place there during Welcoming.

Recreational halls

Irene has two recreation halls, with a piano and comfortable couches for entertaining guests. Ireners are allowed female visitors whenever they like. Male visitors are allowed on the ground floor of Irene from 08:00 to 23:00 daily. There is also designated male visiting hours.

One of our recreational halls (adjacent to the dining area).

Computer and Internet Services

Irene boasts with its very own IRGA (“Irene Rekenaar Gebruiker Area”). IRGA has 3 fully functional computers as well as a printer available for residents to use. Using the computers is free, but access to the internet and printing is charged on the student’s account.

IRGA

Both the new section and the original building now have Wi-Fi. Laptops, tablets and cellphones can be registered via the Wi-Fi with ease, if the security software is up to date. Alternatively, electronic items can be taken to the Campus IT Centre for the MAC address to be registered on the server and for the proper software to be installed. Then, the laptop can connect to the internet from the room using a LAN cable. During Welcoming, the mentors will help first years to set up internet in their rooms.

Handy Tips/What to Bring

  • Bedding (single bed)
  • Fridge (we encourage Ireners to meet their roommates first and then organising the fridge).
  • Cutlery
  • Fan (it gets very hot in the summer)
  • Bed-side/ desk lamp
  • Coat hangers
  • Clothes you can get dirty
  • Laundry bag
  • A plank (can be used for extra storage space if put between the bookshelf and cupboard – 3m long x 3cm thick x 30cm wide). Only applies to rooms in the old sections, first check what room you get assigned.
  • Storage containers (can fit under your bed)
  • LAN cable (if you have a computer/laptop)
  • Power adapters, multi-plugs (with individual switches) and/or extension leads

A sumary of Irene’s facilities:

  • Laundry room
  • Bicycle shed
  • Computer lab (IRGA)
  • Various study rooms
  • Kitchenettes
  • Chill areas
  • Lift
  • Facilities for the handicapped (bathrooms)
  • TV-Room
  • Recreational hall
  • Quad area with braai facilities
  • An entertainment rooftop area with synthetic grass

Please feel free to e-mail our Primaria, Gita Theron on 21032513@sun.ac.za if you have any questions.

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Due to the new residence placing policy, we will no longer accept any CV applications. All application will be handled internally by university admin. You are thus free to apply for Irene through your university application form.

Also, feel free to ask any questions by e-mailing the primaria at 19790465@sun.ac.za. They will be answered as soon as possible by our House Committee.

If you would like to see photos of Irene activities and events during the year, please navigate to our gallery.

Welcoming

On the first day you arrive at the doors of Irene’s foyer, you will be warmly greeted by our democratically elected House Committee (HK) consisting of 14 senior Ireners. The HK will make sure you settle into your assigned room comfortably and will then proceed to guide you through the rest of the Welcoming program.

Irene’s front foyer.

Newcomers are given the opportunity to perform in the annual, local, street theatre known as “Vensters”. We also give them a chance to socialise with other residences at socials during the Welcoming period.

However, we are first and foremost here to study at Stellenbosch University, therefore, newcomers are also taken through their own faculty’s tour and welcoming programme to receive vital information about their courses. At Irene, we strive for excellence in networking, culture, sport and academics. Each newcomer is assigned a mentor who is studying in the same faculty. Newcomers participate in regular mentor sessions to help them learn what to expect and how they should handle their workload and timetable.

All welcoming activities are voluntary, but we highly recommend it to ensure that newcomers are successfully integrated into Irene and their study environment. Newcomers should look forward to making friendships that last a lifetime and having the best years of their life!

Catering

Irene’s catering service is Royal Mnandi. Contrary to popular belief regarding residence food, Royal Mnandi offers a variety of delicious, well-prepared meals.

Irene has a beautiful dining hall, which is open for all students who form part of the Wimbledon Cluster to dine there. The kitchen is Halaal-certified as of 2016.  

The following meal options are available daily:

  • Standard Meal
  • Vegetarian Meal
  • Carb-conscious Meal
  • Banting Option
  • Salad Option
  • Vegetarian Salad Option
  • Chicken Meal

(These options may vary between breakfast, lunch and dinner). A menu is emailed to all residents weekly.

Meals can be booked online at the MyMaties page. Quota for meals is loaded onto every Irener’s student account. Meals have to be booked 2 days in advance.
If students prefer to buy and make their own food, there are 5 kitchenettes distributed throughout Irene. They are equipped with a hydroboil, sink and microwave.

Kitchenette

Alternatively, there are two food hubs within a 100m of the back entrance of Irene, where Ireners can order meals and also charge this on their student accounts (we call this meal account COB).

One of the food hubs behind Irene.

Accommodation

The average room for newcomers consists of 2 single beds, 2 built-in wooden cupboards, 2 wooden mounted bookcases (3 shelves), 2 wooden desks, 2 chairs, 2 pin-noticeboards, 2 towel railings, 2 power sockets, 2 LAN internet ports, a full-length mirror and a large window.

All newcomers will be placed in a double room like this one with a matched roommate.

Twice a week, Royalserve Cleaning give residents the option of having their rooms vacuumed and mopped.

The typical room for newcomers.

Bathroom and Laundry Facilities

Irene is divided into 10 sections with 5 modern bathrooms strategically placed around the residence. Each bathroom has 5 showers, 1 bath, 5 basins, 5 mirrors and 5 toilets. The showers are each enclosed in private cubicles.

Our bathrooms.

There is a laundry room on the ground floor where we have washing machines, tumble dryers and basins for washing clothes. Next to the laundry room, we have a quad to hang clothes in the sunshine to dry. Royalserve Cleaning are responsible for cleaning the bathrooms daily.

Chill Areas

There are also 5 brand new chill areas situated throughout the building, each equipped with its own kitchenette.

The Quad

Irene encloses a beautiful shady quad at it’s heart. It contains benches for eating outside on those hot days and a braai area. It offers a grassy place to cool down or relax. Many of Irene’s “Vensters” practices take place there during Welcoming.

Recreational halls

Irene has two recreation halls, with a piano and comfortable couches for entertaining guests. Ireners are allowed female visitors whenever they like. Male visitors are allowed on the ground floor of Irene from 08:00 to 23:00 daily. There is also designated male visiting hours.

One of our recreational halls (adjacent to the dining area).

Computer and Internet Services

Irene boasts with its very own IRGA (“Irene Rekenaar Gebruiker Area”). IRGA has 3 fully functional computers as well as a printer available for residents to use. Using the computers is free, but access to the internet and printing is charged on the student’s account.

IRGA

The new wing of Irene and certain parts of the original building now has Wi-Fi. Laptops, tablets and cellphones can be registered via the Wi-Fi with relative ease, if the security software is up to date. Alternatively, electronic items can be taken to the Campus IT Centre for the MAC address to be registered on the server and for the proper software to be installed. Then, the laptop can connect to the internet from the room using a LAN cable. During Welcoming, the HK and mentors will help first years to set up internet in their rooms.

Handy Tips/What to Bring

  • Bedding (single bed)
  • Fridge (we encourage Ireners to meet their roommates first and then organising the fridge).
  • Cutlery
  • Fan (it gets very hot in the summer)
  • Bed-side/ desk lamp
  • Coat hangers
  • Clothes you can get dirty
  • Laundry bag
  • A plank (can be used for extra storage space if put between the bookshelf and cupboard – 3m long x 3cm thick x 30cm wide). Only applies to rooms in the old sections, first check what room you get assigned.
  • Storage containers (can fit under your bed)
  • LAN cable (if you have a computer/laptop)
  • Power adapters, multi-plugs (with individual switches) and/or extension leads

A sumary of Irene’s facilities:

  • Laundry room
  • Bicycle shed
  • Computer lab (IRGA)
  • Various study rooms
  • Kitchenettes
  • Chill areas
  • Lift
  • Facilities for the handicapped (bathrooms)
  • TV-Room
  • Recreational hall
  • Quad area with braai facilities
  • An entertainment rooftop area with synthetic grass

Please feel free to e-mail 19790465@sun.ac.za if you have any questions.

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