Call to keep UCT open & for release of fees report

Dear students and colleagues

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is open today, 25 October 2017. All classes, tests, academic work and PASS departments continue. The Jammie Shuttle services are in full operation and all university libraries are open.

The social media claim that the UCT executive have agreed to shut down the university today is inaccurate.

The executive have noted the public call by student protesters for a march to parliament today and that UCT should be shut down in order to allow everybody to support the march. They have, however, indicated that the university will not be shut down.

We remind all students that they should ensure that any marches they join have the appropriate procedural clearances. Any student who wishes to join such a march should do so only if their studies are not compromised in any way.

The executive cannot support or condone a shutdown of classes or operations. UCT has previously stated that neither staff nor students can afford to lose any time in the current academic calendar. It is the students who are most affected by missing out on teaching time. It has a deep and negative effect on our ability to teach and on the students’ ability to successfully complete the academic year.

The UCT executive are supportive of the call for President Jacob Zuma to release the Fees Commission report and are currently working with protest leaders in their efforts to meet the students’ demands, where this is possible.

We urge the campus community to ensure that UCT classes and operations continue undisturbed.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements