Welcome to the Responsibility Centre: Dean of Students (RC:DS), or what we simply call Student Affairs, at Stellenbosch University. We will walk alongside you on your university journey, supporting your academic success, providing you with opportunities for personal growth and leadership development, and linking you to the correct services to ensure your holistic wellbeing. Our goal is to create an inclusive and supportive environment where you can grow as a leader, build meaningful connections, and develop specific graduate attributes that prepare you for life beyond SU.
Our work
The Responsibility Centre: Dean of Students (RC:DS) supports every Matie throughout their university journey by overseeing all aspects of Student Affairs that help students flourish academically, socially, and personally. Through the work of the Centre for Student Life and Learning and the Centre for Student Counselling and Development, the RC:DS provides development programmes, co-curricular learning opportunities, and wellbeing support services that nurture personal growth, leadership development, and a strong sense of belonging. We are guided by SU’s commitment to inclusivity, wellbeing, and student success. This is why we ensure that students receive more than just academic training - they experience a full, rounded, and supportive university environment that equips them with specific graduate attributes needed to thrive in their studies, future careers, and broader society.
Our Centres
The Responsibility Centre: Dean of Students (RC:DS) consists of two centres – the Centre for Student Life and Learning (CSLL), and the Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD). These two centres offer a comprehensive support system to help you thrive academically and socially as a future leader in your community and beyond.
Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD)
The Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD) is organised into four units, all working together to ensure your wellbeing and academic success. CSCD is your go-to resource for psychological, developmental and support services designed to empower you and help you succeed.
The four units in CSCD are:
- Unit for Academic Counselling and Development (UACD)
- Disability Unit (DU)
- Unit for Psychotherapeutic and Support Services (UPSS)
- Unit for Graduand Career Services (UGCS)
Centre for Student Life and Learning (CSLL)
The Centre for Student Life and Learning (CSLL) creates holistic living and learning environments, oversees co-curricular programmes for both residence and commuter student communities, fosters a values-driven environment within these communities aimed at developing students as future South African leaders through a culture of continuous personal and leadership development programmes. It also supports student structures representing all students and is responsible for the accreditation of the numerous leadership development programmes on offer at the University, among others.
Within CSLL, there are five units:
- Unit for Commuter Student Communities (UCSC)
- Unit for Residence Communities (URC)
- Unit for Student Governance (USG)
- Unit for Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion (ULDI)
- Unit for Experiential Learning (UEL)
CSLL units
Unit for Residence Student Communities (URSC)
The Unit for Residence Student Communities (URSC) creates integrated learning communities by blending academic and social spaces to create a holistic educational experience for all students in university housing. Each residence is managed by a Residence Head, who is supported by elected student house committees and mentors. This team is collectively responsible for providing support and...
Unit for Commuter Student Communities (UCSC)
Did you know that about 76% of Matie students are commuters? Some travel from their homes, which may be as far as Cape Town, Grabouw or Wellington, while others stay in private accommodation in and around Stellenbosch. Like residence students, commuter students are also allocated to a community that will help them integrate into social and academic life at the University. One of the University’s...
Unit for Student Governance (USG)
The Unit for Student Governance (USG) champions and instils ethical governance principles within student leaders serving on University governance structures. These governance principles are informed by ever-changing social contexts and developments with regards to governance challenges, issues and best practice in South Africa, Africa, and the rest of the world. Through leadership development...
Unit for Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion (ULDI)
The aim of the Unit for Leadership, Diversity, and Inclusion (ULDI), which includes the Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Institute (FVZSI), is to ensure that university students are provided with comprehensive leadership experiences through the development of Graduate Attributes.
Unit for Experiential Learning (UEL)
The Unit for Experiential Learning works with CSLL, faculties, and divisions to design and support meaningful experiential learning opportunities. These are intentionally structured learning experiences where students learn by doing, inside and beyond the classroom, through real-world engagement, reflection, and application. Such experiences shape students’ sense of purpose, agency, and...
CSCD units
Unit for Academic Counselling and Development (UACD)
The Unit for Academic Counselling and Development (UACD) helps you to tackle academic challenges and improve your academic skills. The team consists of educational psychologists, a registered counsellor and intern psychologists.
Disability Unit
The Disability Unit is here to support students with disabilities. If you need advice on academic support, solutions, or accessible study materials that fit your unique needs, they have your back. The DU’s activities are guided by the Disability Access Policy of SU.
Unit for Psychotherapeutic and Support Services (UPSS)
Life at University can be pretty overwhelming at times. The Unit for Psychotherapeutic and Support Services (UPSS) is there to help students get through those challenging times by providing them with individual and group therapy, and work sessions. These confidential services are offered by...
Unit for Graduand Career Services (UGCS)
Ever wonder what comes after you graduate? The Unit for Graduand Career Services (UGCS) is your guide to rocking the transition from education to employment and books to boardrooms. The Unit will provide you with the tools to smoothly and confidently make the transition to the world of work
Top stories
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