Celeste was built in the 1960’s, but only became part of Rhodes University, as a Residence, in Drostdy Hall, from 2007.
It was a residence for undergrads, males and females, in 2007 and 2008, accommodated in single and double rooms. The females were placed on the top floor, and the males placed on the middle and bottom floors. In 2007 there were a total of 51 students, 20 females and 31 males. In 2008 there were a total of 40 students, 16 females and 24 males.
Celeste House became a residence for 32 postgraduates from 2009, for 19 females and 13 males, all in single rooms. Females are accommodated on the top and bottom floors and the males are accommodated on the middle floor.
Celeste House accommodates postgraduate students, males and females.
Celeste House is located on the corner of African and Somerset Streets and is approximately a five minute walk from campus and is very close to town. Flats have two or three students per flat in single rooms. The block is mixed gender but each flat is single gender. Celeste House comprises three floors. Male students are accommodated on the middle floor and female students are accommodated on the top and bottom floors.
Students accepted into Celeste may reside in their Units from 8 January to 31 December.
Celeste House is overseen by a Warden who resides in the residence, as well as one male and one female Sub-Warden, who are Rhodes students and live in the residence. They operate “open door policies” and are available to attend to any concerns of residents on a regular basis. A House Committee is elected each year.
Meals are provided in the Drostdy Dining Hall. Should students wish to make use of the self-catering facilities in the communal kitchens from time to time, they have to unbook their meals. Un-booked meals (only up to a certain amount) will be refunded to students’ fee accounts at the end of each semester: see the fees booklet for more information. Students who wish to self-cater for the whole year and not take any meals in the Dining Hall, need to e-mail Mrs Jay Pillay, Deputy Director: Residential Operations, jay.pillay@ru.ac.za, to request this.
Celeste Students to provide their own: crockery, cutlery, pots & pans, cooking utensils (if planning to use communal kitchens), AND coffee mugs, kettle, jug, tray, teaspoons, glasses, iron, coat hangers, an alarm clock and a torch (as no candles are permitted).