Invitation to participate in anti-racism policy review

Dear colleagues and students

The University of Cape Town’s Policy on Anti-Racism, Racial Discrimination and Racial Harassment is due for review. The purpose of a comprehensive review is to take an in-depth look at existing administrative policies and associated documents such as procedures, FAQs, and appendices to:

• determine whether a policy is still needed or if it should be combined with another administrative policy,
• determine whether the purpose and goal of the policy are still being met,
• determine whether changes are required to improve the effectiveness or clarity of the policy and procedures, and
• ensure that appropriate education, monitoring, and ongoing review of the policy is occurring.

Consultation process

As a member of the university, you are invited to participate in three or more ways. Firstly, you are encouraged to complete the electronic survey or pick one of these dates to attend a stakeholder engagement: 12–16 August, 19–23 August, and 26–30 August. You may also attend an open consultation to be held in the Mafeje Room, Bremner Building, from 09:00 to 11:00 on 10 September 2024. Consultation dates and times are as follows:

Process after consultation

The relevant policy committee will review the feedback from the submissions, which may result in one of the three processes described below:

1. Substantive revision: Revisions that introduce a significant change to the scope or consequence of a policy. Substantive revisions alter the underlying principles or intent of the policy or significantly modify the requirements of the policy and will proceed to the consultation route.

2. Minor revision: Revisions that do not affect the basic requirements, principles, scope, or intent of a policy; but consist of non-substantive or technical corrections, updates, or clarifications. Minor revisions may include substituting a new title or department name; adding a reference to a new regulation or guideline; re-ordering information for clarity; or inserting a definition to explain a policy. In this instance, the edited policy will be put before the executive for noting and not follow a consultation process.

3. Decommissioning of the policy: A policy may be rescinded if:

• it has become inconsistent with legal or policy requirements,
• it no longer reflects the university’s practice, or
• it is consolidated into other policies, guidelines, or procedures.

In this instance, the recommendation for decommissioning of the policy will be put before the executive, and upon their approval, a recommendation to Council will be made.

Communication to the university community will follow after the approval of either the executive or Council.

Available support

If during the participation of this policy review you experience distress, please use the counselling support as follows:

For staff:

• Call the toll-free number, 080 111 3945, for telephonic counselling.
• Chat live with an ICAS counsellor via the all-new ICAS app which gives you and your family access to 24/7/365 Employee Wellness Programme information on your health and wellness needs. Please use the code UNI003.
• Send a please call me to *134*905#.
• Send an e-mail.

For students:

Student Wellness Service has 24-hour telephonic counselling services available even during weekends. Students can access these services through:

• UCT Students Careline in collaboration with SADAG: 0800 24 25 26 (call) or 31393 (SMS).
• Higher Health Counselling: 0800 36 36 36.
• ER24 UCT Collaboration: 010 205 3010.

Questions

Should you wish to join the stakeholder consultations, or have any challenges when completing the survey, or have any other questions relating to the policy review process, please email Stella Musungu.

Sincerely

Professor Elelwani Ramugondo
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Transformation, Student Affairs and Social Responsiveness

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements