John Donald is fighting a bout of 'flu, but with two portfolios to consider, he's too busy to take time out. The director of sport and recreation has taken over from Dr Ian Macintosh as acting dean of student affairs.

Macintosh has resumed his fulltime duties as director of student housing and residence life.

This is the third time Donald has acted in this capacity during his 14 years as director of sport and recreation (he held a similar position at Rhodes). There are plans to appoint an executive director of student affairs, transforming the post from an academic position to one more in line with services and delivery, Donald said.

It's a busy time to be taking the reigns; Student Representative Council elections are getting into full swing, exams loom in the final quarter and in the new year the difficult financial aid negotiations begin.

Presently, he splits his day between his current post and his interim one.

Donald regards the size of the SDSD department as the main challenge. It encompasses 12 units, from student health to the disability unit, and takes some managing.

What is he most looking forward to?

"The end of January," he quips, alluding to the end of his six-month caretaking role.