Planning and logistics for upcoming exams

Dear colleagues and students

The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) mid-year examinations will get underway from Monday, 29 May until Thursday, 15 June 2023.

Various departments, including the Department of Student Affairs, Properties and Services and the Registrar’s Office, have collaborated in planning the logistical arrangements for the upcoming exam period.

Logistical arrangements have been made in respect of study spaces, security services, UCT Shuttle services, parking, loadshedding and medical assistance.

1. Study spaces during the examination period

The following study spaces have been made available. Please note the various times of availability at each of these spaces.

• Library study spaces
• Additional study spaces
• Avenue Road Dining Hall (will be open for residence students from 20:30 on Friday, 29 May till Thursday, 15 June during non-meal times: 09:00–11:30; 14:30–17:00; and 20:30–06:30).

Please note that examination venues may not be used as study spaces, as these venues need to be prepared for the sessions. These venues will be clearly marked as such.

2. Security services

Campus Protection Services (CPS) officers will be onsite at various venues for the duration of the examination period.

For the evening sessions, additional CPS officers will be deployed along the routes from the examination venues to the shuttle stops and parking areas.

Students who will be using the 24-hour study spaces at night and requiring a CPS officer to escort them to the shuttle stops or parking areas are advised to contact CPS on the applicable contact numbers.

• CPS Operations Centre: 080 650 2222
• Upper Campus, Robert Leslie Social Science, Basement: 021 650 2121 / 4080
• Middle Campus, Kramer Building, Level 4: 021 650 5759
• Lower Campus, Burnage: 021 650 4788
• Faculty of Health Sciences, Barnard Fuller Building: 021 406 6100

Please note the following safety tips:

• Please save the CPS control room number, 080 650 2222, on your phone.
• Wherever possible, do not walk alone.
• Be in possession of your student card to assist CPS officers in identifying non-UCT staff and students.
• When walking at night, do not use headphones or be on your phone. Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Follow the “blue route” when walking between upper and lower campus. The blue route consists of nine emergency bollards with flashing blue lights. The bollards are evenly spaced along the routes and have an intercom linked directly to CPS. See the blue route on the campus maps for upper and middle campus.

3. UCT Shuttle services

The current UCT Shuttle service schedule will remain the same during the examination period.

• Access the latest shuttle schedules.
• Download the GoMetro Move App on Google Play or App store; search for the “GoMetro Move” App and select “UCT Shuttle” under Transport.

The UCT Shuttle office can be contacted on 021 650 5289 (between 07:00 and 00:00 during weekdays and 08:30 to 15:00 over public holidays and weekends). For after-hours queries, please contact the CPS control room on 080 650 2222 (toll free).

4. Parking

Students are encouraged to make use of the UCT Shuttle service as the availability of parking spaces can be limited during the examination period.

If you make use of your own vehicle, please ensure that you have the required parking permit.

Temporary parking discs are available for first-year students during examination times only. These can be purchased at the Visitors’ Reception and Information Centre (opposite the Sports Centre) at the entrance to upper campus, as well as at the Traffic Administration Office on upper campus.

Please note the following parking tips:

• Arrive early and allow enough time to find parking.
• Never leave valuables in plain sight. Items like backpacks, laptop cases or any packages should be put in your boot.

5. Loadshedding

Please refer to the recently issued campus announcement which shared more specific details on measures in place to mitigate the impact of loadshedding.

In the event of a power outage, please follow the FAQ when moving about campus or using lifts.

Please note the following tips to minimise the impact of loadshedding:

• Plan your study activities around the loadshedding schedule.
• Download the City of Cape Town loadshedding App.
• Please note that the upper, middle, lower and Faculty of Health Sciences campuses are in Zone 15. The Hiddingh Campus is in Zone 7.

6. COVID-19 health and safety approach

UCT has adopted the following approach for the examination period:

• Health screening will not take place at the examination venue entrances.
• If a student presents with COVID-19 symptoms and has a positive test, they must isolate for seven days. In this instance, they should contact Student Wellness Services.
• Properties and Services’ cleaning department will ensure that all venues are cleaned before each examination.

7. Medical assistance

Paramedics will be on standby on campus. Should you require medical attention during an examination, an invigilator will summon the paramedics.

8. General emergency and safety measures at exam venues

In the event of a fire or any other emergency, note the following:

• An invigilator will instruct you to leave the venue and guide you to the nearest safe exit.
• Leave your belongings and exit the venue in an orderly fashion.
• Once out of the venue, you will be directed by CPS to a safe emergency assembly point, where you should await further instructions.

Should there be a need to communicate rapidly during exams, please note that the university will post notices on the following platforms: main website; staff website; students website; Facebook; and Twitter. SMSes may also be sent directly to staff and students as an additional channel for rapid communication.

All staff and students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the above-mentioned logistical arrangements.

Best wishes to all students during this examination period.

Department of Students Affairs
Properties and Services Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements