Adjusting to new environment and other updates

Dear students

Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla recently announced that South Africa has repealed COVID-19 regulations that, among others, made masks mandatory in indoor public spaces and limited the size of gatherings. Read more on this and other updates below.

1. Adjusting to the new environment

Following the government’s repealing of some of the country’s remaining COVID-19 regulations, students and staff can resume working from campus; resume the public gatherings that are so vital to campus life; and stop wearing face masks in classes, lectures, labs and meetings. Some individuals may still choose to wear a mask and everyone is encouraged to be respectful of the choices of others.

UCT remains committed to normalising in-person and on-campus activities as soon as possible.

• Read the VC Desk: Adjusting to our new environment.

2. Impact of loadshedding on UCT operations

Loadshedding has been continuing this week. This will regrettably have an impact on university operations. It is advisable for staff and students to regularly check loadshedding schedules in their zones, whether on campus or elsewhere for those working or studying remotely, to minimise the impact of loadshedding.

Currently, when there is power outage on campus, venues are either powered using generators or UPS systems. However, some venues do not have backup power. To maintain uninterrupted services, Properties and Services (P&S) are working towards ensuring all venues have power during outages. This is a long-term project and until it can be ensured that all venues have backup power, P&S has put together some measures to enable faculties to book venues with backup power or reschedule classes in accordance with the loadshedding schedule.

• Read the Campus Announcement: Impact of loadshedding on UCT operations.

3. Rugby Road/Madiba East temporary closure due to maintenance work

Please be advised that the Maintenance Department needs to carry out emergency repairs on the water supply valves in Rugby Road/Madiba East on Upper Campus.

Unfortunately, this has resulted in the need to close the road temporarily to make sure that students and staff as well as motor vehicles are safe. The road will therefore be closed on 29 July 2022 and re-open on 6 July. Any inconvenience caused while the road is closed due to this necessary work is regrettable. Kindly note that the UCT Shuttle will be redirected accordingly.

The Maintenance Department will work as quickly as possible to minimise the impact of the road closure.

4. Planning your postgraduate studies for 2022/2023

Now is a good time to take stock of your progress in your postgraduate studies and to plan for the next stage. You may be getting ready to submit your final report, dissertation or thesis; or you may be making sure that you have appropriate support in place to complete your studies in good time.

There are some guidelines to assist you in submitting your thesis or dissertation, and in accessing resources and funding your studies in 2023.

• Read the DVC Desk: Planning your postgraduate studies for 2022/2023.

5. Public consultation on UCT’s spatial and infrastructure development framework

The first draft of the UCT Integrated Development Framework (IDF) was prepared during 2013/14 at the request of the national Department of Higher Education and Training which required the submission of a “University Campus Master Plan” as a guide to capital expenditure in the following five to 20 years.

The IDF is intended to assist the university in meeting its growth needs, in accordance with its mission, over the next several decades, and provides a framework to guide the growth of the university from approximately 29 000 to 32 000 undergraduate and postgraduate students on campus by 2030, for which approximately 51 000m² of new academic space is required.

An integrated public consultation process for the land use management and heritage components is being undertaken and includes press adverts, on-site notices, correspondence through registered mail and e-mail, with documents available for download on the City of Cape Town website and UCT’s website.

• Read the VC Desk: Public consultation on UCT’s spatial and infrastructure development framework.