Update 21 September:

There has been a development since the previous post below. Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, and Ms Tonia Overmeyer, Dean of Students, met with the group on Saturday morning (17 September 2016), with the commitment to provide feedback on their issues by Friday 23 September.

There subsequently was an undertaking by the group to not disrupt academic activities any further this week. This situation changed on Monday (19 September) and escalated further on Tuesday (20 September). Due to the current situation on campus, the promised feedback (link) was sent to students by email on Tuesday. 

The University remains committed to ongoing discussions with students about fees and any other matter. This is primarily being driven by our Student Affairs Division, including the Dean of Students, who will facilitate further engagement. The Rector is not anticipating addressing this issue at a mass meeting or a further meeting with this grouping.

Original post:

Saturday 17 Sep:

Another discussion on student fees and other matters was scheduled for Friday 23 September 2016 at a meeting between a group of students and Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University, that took place on campus this morning (Saturday 17 September 2016). Prof De Villiers engaged with students after he returned from a three-day trip to attend alumni events in other provinces.

Prof De Villiers, Ms Tonia Overmeyer, Dean of Students, and other SU staff members joined students in the Wilcocks building from around 09:00 until after 14:00 to listen to their grievances. Frank and open discussions followed and a commitment was made that Prof De Villiers and Ms Overmeyer would give feedback on various matters, including student fees, the financial situation of outsourced workers and SU’s role in Southern Africa, at the next meeting.

The University’s library on its central campus was closed for the weekend on Friday afternoon after an altercation ensued when security staff closed the rolling door to secure the building and some students resisted. Some injuries were reported and a few students were treated for pepper spray inhalation at Campus Health Services. Stellenbosch University’s health and crisis services assisted students. The SU ambulance and a nursing sister provided help on the scene, and they were also contacted to assist a student who fell ill in the library. She was taken to hospital by ambulance for further treatment. She was discharged this morning (Saturday) and is back in her residence.

In response to the incident on Friday, Prof De Villiers said: “No Vice-Chancellor wants conflict on his or her campus and it is regrettable that there has been friction. However, we are doing our utmost to resolve the situation. We support free higher education for financially needy, academically deserving students. We do this through differentiated financial support, for example bursaries on a sliding scale based on annual household income. We are absolutely committed to broadening access to the University, and at the same time to student success.”

A group of students stayed in the library overnight on Thursday evening and then decided to block the entrance to the building on Friday morning to prevent other students from entering. As these actions infringed on the rights of other students who needed to access the library services, the University could not allow the situation to continue indefinitely.  For that reason the protesting students were served with written notices to vacate the building and they were given time to do so. Throughout the occupation period students were offered assisted escort from the library at any time it was required. 

On Friday afternoon, after the closing of the library, a small group of students engaged with Ms Overmeyer on understanding what’s going on, to listen to diverse perspectives, to hear concerns and to discuss the current status. A space for engagement with the Dean of Students was created in Huis Russel Botman House.

Some tests were interrupted by protesting students on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Students gained access by pretending to be taking the test in the particular venue. In most cases the disruptions were short and tests could continue. A few tests will be rescheduled. Students should direct inquiries to their respective departments. Students who require counselling after last week’s incidents can call the 24 hour crisis service: 0825570880 or 021 808-4994 during office hours.