07 September 2014 COMMUNIQUÉ FROM EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT UPDATE ON MATTERS RELATING TO STUDENT PROTEST ACTION Dear Students and Staff On Friday, 5 September 2014, University Management met with the Student Leadership to discuss two of the major issues that had been raised as critical and urgent, namely the issue of the registration closing date of 6 February 2015 and the registration deposit fee increment. 1. Registration Closing Date of 6 February 2015 Following extensive engagements on the Student Leadership proposal in respect of the registration closing date, and having taken into consideration various factors in consultation with the Registrar, University Management resolved that: a) The issue of the registration closing date, together with other aspects of the 2015 sessional dates, needed to be revisited. b) A small task team made up of the Registrar and his team, a member of the Executive Management Committee, Student and College representatives, should be formed as early as Monday, 8 September 2014, to look into the registration closing date, together with other aspects of the 2015 sessional dates. c) An urgent Special Senate meeting must then be called in accordance with the University Statute and applicable Senate rules, to consider the revised registration closing date and the 2015 sessional dates. 2. Registration Deposit Fee Increment With regard to the registration deposit increase: a) University Management wishes to categorically state and re-emphasize that the rumours that the registration deposit will increase by R6000 or R9000 in 2015, are false. b) In our previous communique it was mentioned that the University appreciated that it will not be possible to move from 10% to 30% in a space of a year. It was further mentioned that the University was considering phasing the 20% increases over a period of two to three years. Following discussions with the Student Leadership, the University has decided to put this proposal on hold until further engagements with the Student Leadership. c) Discussions with the Student Leadership will continue on Monday, 8 September where a final decision will be made and communicated to the University community by no later than Wednesday, 10 September 2014. The University community is reminded that the revised draft financial aid (Bursaries and Loans) policy is still in the consultative stages within the University structures. Students can still provide their inputs through their representatives in the process that has been set up for such inputs. University Management will continue engaging the Student Leadership on all matters of concern, including on issues pertaining to such aspects as residences and security. The academic programme will resume on Monday, 8 September 2014 and all students are urged to continue with their academic work and allow the normal University programmes to continue unhindered. Issued by Dr Sibusiso Chalufu Executive Director: Student Services Mr Bulelani Mahlangu Chief Finance Officer
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 06:45:31 +0000