A busy year for Commercial Services
As the team with the mandate to manage all the University’s internal initiatives, it’s been a busy few months for Commercial Services (CS). They are, after all, SU’s 5th income stream.
As well as implementing access control to, and a small (but very necessary) fee for entry to the Stellenbosch Botanical Gardens, a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) has been completed with Friends of the Garden, a volunteer group, who will now be assisting with fundraising.
Discussions are underway to develop a viable solution for the usage of the HB Thom Theatre and the Conservatorium, with the intent of commercialising some of their facilities.
An RFP (Request for Proposal) has been put out to find a new supplier to (finally) replace the existing Safecom system - CS are bringing Maties Copy & Print up to standard! At the same time, planning has begun on the One Card project, which aims to increase the amount of payment options (purse) within the student card. Laundry, books, food and even social spending, will now all be on one card. This will make the lives of students, parents and service providers significantly less irksome.
On 1 December, you’ll be able to shop for Matie’s products – sports gear, wine, produce, gifts, toys, plants and even art - in the brand-new Matie Shop in the Neelsie Centre. This is only the first, however, as a flagship store in town and one in the Stellenbosch University Gallary in Dorp street will follow, and thereafter one in the SU Museum. Each store will serve a unique market, and will be customised to best do so.
CS are also busy with a complete re-branding exercise and should very soon have a new name, look and website to match – watch this space!
There are many more things in the short-term pipeline. Like off-campus student accommodation, and an Employment Bureau (a discussion currently being had with a LaunchLab start-up), which will provide short-term employment for full-time students.
Innovus has done many smart things over the years, but bringing Commercial Services to its fold is right up there with the best. We look forward to seeing what they will improve, commercialise and innovate next year!
