Update on unfolding developments on UCT campuses

Dear colleagues and staff

It is deeply disappointing that, this morning, the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) has chosen to interfere with access control and the UCT shuttle service, disrupting some aspects of the academic programme. It is regrettable that, because of these interruptions, a number of students were prevented from access to classes and other facilities.

Over the past few days, we have been in continual communication with the SRC, providing them with updates on progress in completing the registration process for the new academic year. We have explained that the delays in completing registration have been caused by a number of factors, including the unprecedented numbers of students seeking personal curriculum advice after the disruptions of the past two years, and the need for students to provide outstanding information that is required for their registrations to be completed. We have asked each Faculty to ensure that access to Vula is opened to all students, whether or not their registration is complete, so that they are not disadvantaged.

Last night, we provided the SRC with a briefing on outstanding registrations. As of today a total of 512 student registrations were still being processed. Of these, 122 were new submissions, so delayed registration cases still outstanding amounted to 441. Many of these outstanding registrations will be complete by the end of today. The threshold for the fee block for students with outstanding debt has been raised from R1000 to R10 000 and the grace period for appeals against exclusion for fee debt has been extended to 31 March. While not ideal, we believe that we have made good progress towards registering all students who have supplied us with all required information.

We reiterate our commitment to the SRC and the student body to work alongside them to seek ways of overcoming issues. We are actively addressing all the issues raised.

I call on the SRC to refrain from blocking access to campus and interrupting services with immediate effect, and to honour their undertaking to work with us in the interest of all students.

Sincerely

Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng
Vice-Chancellor

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• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements