Proper planning yields "smooth" admissions

Dr Max Price thanked staff members who handled the residence admission process at a cocktail function on 4 May.

Proper planning and effective communication have made this year's admission process at UCT residences run smoothly, eliminating any repeat of last year's glitches.

As soon as faculties' offers were made and accepted by applicants, residences allocated accommodation spots to applicants. By the time the freshers arrived in January, everything was in place to get them settled-in.

Those were the views of many staff members who were involved in the residence admissions process, speaking at a thank-you cocktail function hosted by the vice-chancellor, Dr Max Price, on 4 May.

Josiah Mavundla, manager of Student Admissions & Advocacy Services, said UCT had made less offers compared to the previous years, but the take-up rate was the same. And UCT had also set up an off-campus office where students who could not find a place in a residence could turn to for help.

In turn, Price reported that the feedback he got from parents was that the admissions process had been near faultless; "all due to you", he told staff. "You are the public relations face of UCT, particularly for the first experience of students who come here for the first time," he said.

With just over a month before the start of 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, Price encouraged staff members to give visitors who are set to be accommodated at UCT a warm welcome and give them the best value for their money.