As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education institutions have had to come up with innovative ways to ensure that students successfully complete their studies for 2020.
Within the constraints of the total lockdown announced by the South African government, Stellenbosch University (SU) has put the necessary measures in place and has launched various initiatives to help support students during the pandemic. All the relevant information in this regard has been made available on a dedicated page on the SU website.
Our institution's integrated COVID-19 response, including the various forms of student support, is managed by the Institutional Committee for Business Continuity (ICBC). This document provides an overview of SU's institutional response during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Revised 2020 academic calendar
We had to extend the recess period for our students because of the national lockdown. This meant, however, that we also had to adjust the 2020 academic year. To ensure teaching and learning programmes continue during the lockdown and students complete the academic year with as minimal disruptions as possible, the Executive Committee of Senate approved changes to the 2020 academic calendar. The Corporate Communication Division used all the appropriate channels to inform students of these changes. See the latest communication details here.
Online learning initiatives
One of SU's strategic goals is to offer its students the best possible chance to complete their studies successfully. It is, therefore, important to optimise their in-class and out-of-class experience to enhance our student success rate. The suspension of contact teaching and learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown meant that we had to move to online platforms to ensure we complete the 2020 academic year and our students do not lose an academic semester or the entire year.
Online learning was officially rolled out on Monday 20 April, via our online learning and teaching platform, SUNLearn. A dedicated website was developed and populated with various information, guides and tools, to assist students with the transition from class-based learning to online learning. Click here for more information.
Laptops
We procured 1 500 laptops for socio-economically disadvantaged students who have no connectivity to SU's online learning resources. An email message with a final offer was sent to all students on Tuesday 21 April and a total of 1 094 students accepted the offer and their laptops have already been delivered to their respective residential addresses. Each student also received an email to confirm delivery arrangements, followed by an SMS message alerting them to the email communiqué. A further 51 requests are currently being processed.
From a fundraising perspective, we have focussed on digital access for our students to give them the tools to complete online learning and teaching. We appeal to all alumni, friends, donors and sponsors to lend a hand to address this challenge and stand with our students during this period and make a gift to support this urgent priority. Each laptop costs up to R8 000 per student. Click here to make a contribution.
Data and zero-rated data
In addition to the loan laptop offer and negotiating zero-rating for access to SU's academic platforms (sun.ac.za websites), SU secured data bundle offers with various service providers. The exact method of providing data to students will be re-evaluated on a month-to-month basis.
Updated information about zero-rating of websites and tips for containing mobile data costs, are available on the Guidance for online learning page. To assist our students we have compiled a set of zero-rating FAQs for easy reference.
Student support: Academic
We have ensured that students continue to have access to our wide-range of academic support services during the national lockdown. Students have access to virtual platforms to find tips for learning online; to access the library; to find information about student connectivity, Computer User Areas and technical support; to contact the Centre for Student Counselling and Development(CSCD) for academic and emotional support and emergencies; and to find information on matters relating to student administration-related. See all the latest communication details here.
Student support: Health and wellness
The wellbeing of our students is important and we are continuing to offer dynamic and student-centred psychological developmental and support services during the national lockdown. The Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD) is functioning virtually or telephonically – depending on the student's choice. Any student who would like to make an appointment can send an email to supportus@sun.ac.za. ER 24 continues to be available for students in crisis. CSCD is also offering an online support series (#supportUS) on Student Affairs' Facebook and Instagram platforms. In the period 1–28 April 2020, these posts reached 61 591 people on Facebook with 15 443 post engagements. 3
Student support: Extended Degree Programmes (EDPs)
The Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD) appointed an educational psychologist and a registered counsellor from 1 January 2020 to support students who are registered for Extended Degree Programmes (EDPs). These professionals provide free individual and group consultations aimed at academic skills development, psychotherapy and/or career counselling. Online support groups have been offered since the national lockdown started and are focussed on supporting the mentors of the EDP students. The following online work sessions will be presented during the second academic term, via online platforms:
- Faculty of Science: Anxiety and Stress Management; Study Methods; and Resilience.
- Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: Handling Failure; and How to manage your time and energy.
Student governance
The Student Governance Office has established a coordinated and responsive online strategy, ensuring that student structures are supported and can continue working in their various portfolios. Student Governance has had consultation and detailed feedback with each structure executive regarding challenges and support required. This allows the Office to tailor offerings of development and support to directly target the context. Follow-up online workshops will be conducted to provide support to student leaders to continue with their portfolios.
Important meetings and consultations, such as the Student Representative Council (SRC) executive meeting with the Rectorate, continue in the virtual space, using the MS Teams platform to discuss and plan work for the rest of the year. We have also included the SRC on the Institutional Committee for Business Continuity (ICBC) and its work streams. According to SRC Chairperson, Lewis Mboko, the process has been valuable:
“The ICBC has been a very useful and progressive committee. I learnt many things on disaster management. Mostly I got the chance to fully represent students on a daily basis in our meetings. It made us to be on the same page and aware of every decision taken by the university as I would participate in the engagements and give the perspective from the side of students as well. I feel that, thus far, the ICBC has done great in coming up with solutions that are inclusive."
Supporting students remaining in SU residences
Following the measures announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 15 March, the University requested students to vacate their residences and to return home for the recess period (see links below). A total of 720 students who were unable to do so, remained in residences. They were asked to adhere to strict hygiene protocols and other lock-down regulations.
Students receive various support through the Centre for Student Communities and the Centre for Student Counselling and Development, within the Division of Student Affairs. On the Stellenbosch campus, food support includes purchasing of and distribution of food products, including dry ingredients, to students via the residence heads and the distribution of food parcels. Catering services have also made available products in the residence kitchens for students to use. Further to this, students have also been provided with cooking equipment that has been set up at dedicated points in residences.
At the Tygerberg campus, students who have challenges with food security are supported through the TygerMaties Cluster Office. Support includes food vouchers to purchase basics and/or a grocery option through the University's suppliers. The Office of the Vice Dean for Social Impact and Clinical Training has also supported students through the existing pantry project and various other donations. In addition to SU's support, the University is grateful for the food parcel donations from various faith-based and community organisations.
With the implementation of the Level 4 lockdown, the provision of meals by food service providers resumed on the morning of Monday 11 May 2020. This allows students to book their meals on the FMS system. The food service providers operate from a limited number of kitchens on campus. According to Level 4 lockdown regulations, no queues or sit-downs in dining halls will be allowed, thus meals are delivered to students in their various residences and SU houses, including the Listen, Learn and Live Village.
WhatsApp groups have been formed to keep students in contact with the Centres for Student Communities and Student Counselling and Development respectively.
- bit.ly/3b7WvRj
- bit.ly/2XyFs71
- bit.ly/34uLpDI
- http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=7268
Master's and PhD candidates
We have put in place an exceptional arrangement for Master's and PhD candidates who were on a trajectory to graduate in December 2020 or March 2021, but who have lost time due to the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown (for example, being unable to access primary or secondary sources).
A special thesis or dissertation submission deadline of 1 March 2021 has been approved. Candidates who choose to take up this option after consultation with their supervisor or promotor, will be required to re-register for the 2021 academic year, but will not be expected to pay tuition fees for the degree under examination in 2021. The tuition waiver would only be applicable to candidates who submit their thesis or dissertation by 1 March 2021 and for the relevant degree. Any outstanding fees from 2020 would remain payable. See all the latest communication details here:
International students
Through the Stellenbosch University International (SUI) office, we are providing support to international students and students who are currently participating in study abroad programmes. Support for international students commenced prior to the national lockdown and included logistical support to assist students with returning to their respective countries. 5
We are in contact with students who are based abroad and have implemented online check-in sessions as a support mechanism. We are also in contact with host institutions and have been providing students with relevant information on travel restrictions and assistance with returning to South Africa.
Since lockdown, we have been working closely with International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) and government representatives to support the students.
For more information click here.
SU's first virtual conferral of qualifications
The Registrar's and Corporate Communication divisions joined forces to arrange the University's first virtual conferral of qualifications in absentia for our March/April 2020 graduands by SU's new Chancellor, Justice Edwin Cameron on Friday 3 April. The short video can be viewed here.
Fundraising to support SU students: #Move4Food
We will be enhancing our support for our student-led #Move4Food campaign to curb student hunger. Not knowing where the next meal will come from is a reality for many South Africans, including our SU students. The bleak reality is that a lack of access to affordable and nutritious food on South African campuses is rife and Stellenbosch University is no exception. Alumni, friends, donor and sponsor support of the #Move4Food campaign not only touches our students' everyday lives, it is also a powerful and exemplary demonstration of their commitment to transforming the lives of young people.
Click here to make a contribution.
