COVID-19 updates and other developments

Dear colleagues

This campus announcement aims to inform the UCT community about recent Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) updates and other developments on campus.

1. Weekly update on UCT COVID-19 cases

UCT has had one new positive COVID-19 case reported since the last weekly update was issued on 30 April. The staff member is attached to a department that has been working remotely for at least the past six weeks. The relevant line managers are providing support.

The latest case means UCT has now had eight COVID-19 cases. Six of the eight individuals who previously tested positive have fully recovered (three students and three staff members).

• View the Coronavirus Disease 2019 feature page.

2. Western Cape COVID-19 testing facilities

A number of department of health clinics in the Western Cape are available for individuals to be tested if they are concerned that they may have contracted COVID-19.

A full list of clinics is available at: www.westerncape.gov.za.

3. Chancellor applauds university community

In a message to the campus community, UCT Chancellor Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe noted that like institutions across the globe, UCT is facing a highly complex and evolving situation. Dr Moloi-Motsepe applauded the UCT executive and the Leadership Lekgotla of deans and executive directors who lead and manage a community of 34 000 staff and students, with courage, dignity and compassion. She also applauded other members of the campus community – staff, researchers, students and alumni – for their resilience, dedication and support.

• Read the Chancellor’s Desk: I applaud all of you for your strength during this time.

4. Remote teaching updates for academic staff

UCT is in the second week of online learning. The main concern of the past week has been the slow delivery of laptops to identified students, the distribution of which is currently scheduled for completion by Friday, 8 May.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Associate Professor Lis Lange has noted that while the large majority of academic staff have been truly accommodating when it comes to dealing with students, there have been some problems. She has appealed for flexibility in managing deadlines for students who will only be joining courses from Monday, 11 May.

• Read the DVC Desk: Remote teaching updates for academic staff.

5. Reimbursing remote connectivity costs

The university has instituted an interim Remote Connectivity (GEN 006) policy that will be in place while office functions continue to operate remotely as a result of COVID-19. The intention of GEN 006 is to ensure that UCT staff members do not incur additional connectivity costs because of the necessity of working remotely. It provides a framework to guide managers on reimbursing staff members for the data they need to use in the course of their work for the university. Managers can process requests for reimbursing multiple data allowances for their staff members on the HR109A form.

Staff are asked to please keep in mind that UCT is facing a number of additional emergency costs that have been incurred by COVID-19 and the measures that have been mandated by the national government.

• Read more about the interim remote connectivity policy.

6. Guidelines on staffing matters during COVID-19

UCT has developed guidelines with regards to specific staffing-related matters at the university during the COVID-19 pandemic. The university will continue to work remotely during stage four and will advise in future if and when this position changes.

The guidelines have been informed by the government’s strategy on social distancing, UCT’s vision for 2030, institutional strategies for financial and social sustainability, and labour relations prescripts. UCT’s goal is to continue to be an employer of choice.

The guidelines offer a high-level approach to various staffing-related matters. The scale and complexity of UCT’s operations and details relating to specific scenarios may require further nuancing by the Human Resources (HR) department. Where this is required, or if you need clarity on a specific issue about staffing recruitment, selection and contracts, please email the Director: HR Client Services, Mr Zaheer Ally, or phone him on 021 650 4226.

• Read the COO Desk: Guidelines on staffing matters during COVID-19.

7. Building the future through the COVID-19 UCT Emergency Fund

The university has set up a COVID-19 UCT Emergency Fund to assist in the fight against the virus and its impact on the UCT community. This fund has so far helped with needs such as providing transportation for students who needed to return home ahead of lockdown, disinfecting buildings as they were vacated, sourcing laptop computers and arranging their delivery to needy students, providing personal protective equipment (PPE) to essential staff members who needed to remain on campus, and purchasing data bundles for students who are able to study online at home, to name a few. The laptops alone have incurred a total cost of about R16.4 million. When the lockdown is lifted and students and staff start returning to campus, the COVID-19 UCT Emergency Fund will help to provide for other needs, such as PPEs to ensure their safety.

• Read the VC Desk: Building the future through the COVID-19 UCT Emergency Fund.

8. ICTS scheduled maintenance

Please note that on Sunday, 10 May 2020, Information and Communication Technology Services ICTS) will perform scheduled maintenance from 09:00-17:00. Unless advised to the contrary, staff and students are advised not to expect any ICT services to be available for the duration of the maintenance slot. Please remember to consult the scheduled ICTS maintenance slots for 2020 before planning any teaching, conferences, meetings, and other activities that require ICT services.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements