Dear students
Training for the Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures for 2021 will begin in May until June for students and staff. Read more about this and other updates in the latest campus announcement.
1. Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedure Training for 2021
UCT has revised the Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedure in accordance with the Department of Higher Education and Training policy framework to address sexual and gender based violence in the Post-School Education and Training System.
The university is committed to creating and maintaining an institutional environment in which the dignity of its employees, students, job applicants, clients, visitors, service providers, suppliers and others having dealings with the institution are respected; and where all may pursue their studies, careers, duties and activities free from any form of harassment, including sexual harassment and/or sexual offences.
The purpose of the policy is to encourage and promote the development of an institutional climate and culture that is free of all forms of sexual offences and sexual harassment, and where everyone respects one another’s integrity and dignity, privacy, and right to equity in the institutional environment.
The training schedule has been set as follows:
May 2021 | Friday, 14 May 13:00 to 15:00 |
Student leaders, residence leaders, faculty student bodies, students |
Thursday, 13 May 13:00 to 15:00 |
All managers | |
June 2021 | Thursday, 3 June 13:00 to 15:00 |
All staff |
Friday, 4 June 13:00 to 15:00 |
Transformation Committees | |
Thursday, 24 June 13:00 to 15:00 |
All managers |
For further enquiries please contact Cheryl Vallay indicating your preferred date and time.
2. Protection of Personal Information Act engagement session
The office of the registrar has announced the promulgation of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) with effect from 1 July 2021. The university will arrange an engagement session for staff where UCT’s POPIA team will provide an overview of the Act, elaborate on Universities South Africa guidelines and outline the processes required by the university to comply with POPIA. The team will also be available to respond to any questions that may arise.
3. UCT Libraries urgently needs volunteers
UCT Libraries has made an urgent call for more volunteers to help salvage the remaining collection of the archival materials housed within the Jagger Reading Room, which was destroyed by fire on 18 April. Shifts are available from 08:00 to 13:00 and 13:00 to 18:00 until Sunday, 9 May. It is important to register in advance, as limited spaces are available for each shift. This is a completely volunteer position with no paid remuneration.
Parking is available on campus.
4. Update on COVID-19 cases
As at 1 May, the university has 352 reported cases of COVID-19 among non-health sciences staff members, with 326 recoveries. The number of students who have tested positive stands at 105 with 102 recoveries. The university has lost 19 staff members and three students to the virus.
5. Sharing copyrighted UCT materials online is a serious offence
The illegal uploading of course materials, examination and test papers, lecture notes, slides and other documents, films or images that are termed “copyrighted works” belonging to UCT, constitutes a serious breach of the law. Any student or staff member who is found to be uploading copyrighted works without UCT’s authorisation is liable not only to internal disciplinary action, but also to possible criminal prosecution.
As the copyright owner, UCT has exclusive rights to the copyrighted works. This includes the right to reproduce, publish and make them available to the public. The university has reserved all rights in the copyrighted works and we will take action against any infringement of these rights.
Communication and Marketing Department
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The Centre for Curating the Archive, in association with Michaelis Galleries (UCT) and UCT Libraries will stage a memorial exhibition marking the one-year anniversary of the tragic Jagger Library fire at the Michaelis Galleries. The exhibition will open to the public on Wednesday, 20 April 2022.
In an email to UCT students, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng said:
“Thank you for your patience as we seek ways to return to full academic activity at the University of Cape Town under COVID-19 regulations. Our first priority is to ensure the health and safety of everyone who needs to return to campus buildings.”
UCT is deeply grateful to all the donors who supplied food and other essential items for our students, and to everyone who has so generously offered other forms of support and assistance.
Everyone who would like to support the #UCTFire emergency relief fund is urged to please make financial donations to UCT through the UCT Alumni Ways to Give web page.
Donations can also be made by EFT using the details below:
Account name: UCT Donations Account
Bank: Standard Bank of South Africa
Branch code: Rondebosch Branch, 025009
Account number: 07 152 2387
Swift code: SBZAZAJJ
Please include your donor name if you so wish, as well as the reference for your donation, e.g. Name Surname, #UCTFire.