There is a national crisis with regards to the commencement of the 2021 academic year. At the helm of this is the delay of NSFAS guidelines, funding shortfall and FTENs not being confirmed for funding. This has led to mass mobilisation, protests and a national shutdown of Institutions of Higher Learning. We stand in solidarity with the movement of shutting down institutions and empathise with the plight of all students.
It is unfortunate that students need to lose their lives in the fight against anti-poor and anti-black systems which continue to disenfranchise many across the country. We would like to extend our condolences to the family of Mthokozisi Ntumba, a civilian who tragically lost his life after being shot by police during a protest at the University of the Witwaterstrand.
Dissatisfaction with the University’s stance
The University has not been transparent with the student body regarding the measures taken to mitigate the challenges presented by NSFAS. Structures of the University have also not been efficient in communicating with the SRC. This has caused justified frustration within the student body. The academic year resumes in 2 days and their stance of “business as usual” is a complete disregard of the impediments that prevent students from engaging in their academic activities. These include but are not limited to:
1. FTENs students not receiving their laptop packages to engage with online learning.
2. Some FTENs and returning students have not been cleared to register and/or confirmed for funding.
3. Some FTENs students were sent home on the same day of arrival due to no confirmation of NSFAS funding.
4. No plan for data provision to international students.
5. No clear elaboration on how their plan of a slow approach to the start of the academic year will be facilitated.
6. Not all departments have released their supplementary examination results.
7. Not all NSFAS funded 2021 LLB Penultimate students have been cleared for registration, thus cannot participate in their orientation week which is currently underway.
Our plan of action
We approached political student organisations to engage on the issues of the different constituencies that we represent. The invitations were sent to the EFFSC, SASCO, DASO and Ward 12 Councillor of Makhanda. No response was received from DASO. The SASCO Chairperson as well as the Ward 12 Councillor honoured the invitation. The EFFSC declined the invitation. The National EFF Political Commissar, Siya Nyulu, availed themselves.
In the meeting held today, we concluded that the following letter of demand will be submitted to the Vice-Chancellor's Office - on the 12th of March 2021, for their action:
1. The start of the 2021 academic year should be delayed until all our demands have been met.
2. The late registration fee should be waived.
3. Returners should receive their learning material and living allowances by the 15th of March.
4. An extension on the days of stay in emergency accommodation. FTENs in emergency accommodation should be allowed to reside in that accommodation for 72 hours after the NSFAS guidelines have been released.
5. A contingency plan should be made for international students outside of South Africa with regards to data provision for online learning.
6. The Appeals Committee should provide students with their outcome form and reasoning as to why the appeal was unsuccessful. This request comes after the Registrar and DVC:A&SA respectively rejected our proposal for reconsideration of unsuccessful appeals.
Should the University fail to meet these demands by Monday (15 March 2021) at 10:00am, the SRC will partake in the national shutdown. The student body will be communicated as to how the disturbances will be carried out at the admin building and also virtually to accommodate students who have no permit to access campus.
LETTER OF DEMAND TO THE VICE CHANCELLOR.
To the Vice-Chancellor; Dr. Sizwe Mabizela
RE: LETTER OF DEMAND
The SRC notes with displeasure the silence of the University on the current issues affecting students. There is a national crisis at hand with regards to the commencement of the 2021 academic year, yet the University is going ahead to begin the academic year on 15 March 2021.
We acknowledge that this a national issue stemming from Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). However, we plead for you to note the plight of our fellow students amidst the crisis. With students not being able to register, excluded, no confirmation of funding, and no allowance to pay out their rent - there is a lot of uncertainty and panic. It is unfair that students face so much and the university is not communicating regarding the commencement of the academic year.
As stated above, the academic year is scheduled to start in 3 days and there are still so many groups left behind, including First Time Entry Students (FTENS), NSFAS funded returning students and international students. The issues at hand which the university has ignored include but are not limited to:
1.FTENs students not receiving their laptop packages to engage with online learning.
2.Some FTENs and returning students have not been cleared to register and/or confirmed for funding.
3.Some FTENs students were sent home on the same day of arrival due to no confirmation of NSFAS funding.
4.No plan for data provision to international students.
5.No clear elaboration on how their plan of a slow approach to the start of the academic year will be facilitated.
6.Not all departments have released their supplementary examination results.
7.Not all NSFAS funded 2021 LLB Penultimate students have been cleared for registration, thus cannot participate in their orientation week which is currently underway.
With these issues highlighted above and in consultation with political student organisations, we demand that the university address these issues by Monday, 15 March 2021 no later than 10:0.0 AM.
1. The start of the 2021 academic year should be delayed until all our demands have been met.
2. The late registration fee should be waived.
3. Returners should receive their learning material and living allowances by the 15th of March.
4. An extension on the days of stay in emergency accommodation. FTENs in emergency accommodation should be allowed to reside in that accommodation for 72 hours after the NSFAS guidelines have been released.
5. A contingency plan should be made for international students outside of South Africa with regards to data provision for online learning.
6. The Appeals Committee should provide students with their outcome form and reasoning as to why the appeal was unsuccessful. This request comes after the Registrar and DVC: A&SA respectively rejected our proposal for reconsideration of unsuccessful appeals.
#ASENZINEX!!! #ENDPOLICEBRUTALITY!!! #SIZOFUNDANGENKANI
Issued: 12 March 2021.
Contact: SRC Secretary-General, Mitchelle Makokove. e:srcsg@ru.ac.za, t: +27 (0) 46 603 7081/7083