Dear colleagues and students
Getting vaccinated a priority
Let me share some feedback from a scheduled meeting of Stellenbosch University's (SU) Institutional Committee for Business Continuity (ICBC) on Friday, 27 August 2021.
COVID-19
As usual, we had a briefing from Prof Juliet Pulliam of SACEMA (the South African Centre of Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis). She confirmed that the country is still in the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic, and that the decline in cases is slower than previously expected.
This is unlikely to change over the next two weeks – neither in the Western Cape, nor in most other provinces. Stellenbosch has experienced a worrying increase in infections recently, particularly among young adults in the 15–25 age group.
We must, therefore, continue with actions to reduce transmission of the coronavirus. These include wearing a mask, maintaining a safe distance from others, sanitising our hands and surfaces, and avoiding crowded and poorly ventilated spaces.
In fact, we must stick to all COVID-19 protocols, including that currently, lecture halls and other venues may only be occupied to a maximum of 50% of their capacity.
Vaccinations
At the same time, getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is of the greatest importance.Since our previous meeting a month ago, there have been very encouraging developments in this regard. We have opened our own COVID-19 vaccination site at Lentelus in Hammanshand Road, Stellenbosch, and in terms of the national vaccination programme, everyone of 18 years old and above can now receive their vaccination.
Our staff and students have responded well to the calls to be vaccinated. In the last week alone, nearly 1 000 students received their jabs here, and many others continue to make use of other facilities. I want to thank everyone who has already gone for their first, and in some cases, second vaccinations. We should all do as a matter of the greatest urgency and encourage our friends and colleagues to join us. It is an institutional priority for all staff and students to be vaccinated – in the interest of health and safety.
Along with many other institutions and organisation in South Africa and world-wide, we are investigating the possibility of mandatory vaccinations. To that end, a task team has been appointed to do a risk assessment of various factors involved for employees and students at SU. This is required in terms of a direction on health and safety promulgated by the Department of Employment and Labour in June. The outcome of the assessment will inform our vaccination policy.
In the meantime, please do the responsible thing and get fully vaccinated as soon as possible.
International travel
Full vaccination before travelling abroad is highly recommended and encouraged, and for some countries, an entry requirement. All students and staff travelling abroad must please complete the SU travel registry before their departure.
STAFF MATTERS
The return of staff to campuses
We are still following a hybrid model for SU staff, which implies that employees work interchangeably from home and on campuses according to the workplace plans of their environments. The ICBC has now provided more detailed guidance. Return to campuses should be called for by line managers under the following conditions:
- Tasks that require physical presence
- Tasks that need to be done to advance higher levels of engagement with colleagues and with the priorities at hand
- Physical presence on campuses to facilitate spontaneous interaction and exchange of ideas that facilitate innovation, and that cannot be achieved in case of remote only work
- To prevent estrangement from campuses as primary spaces of work in the context of residential universities
- To strengthen cohesion and cooperation among staff, especially with regard to the induction of new staff and students.
Our hybrid model implies a phased and functional return of staff to campuses, and allows for flexibility and contextuality. Remember, under risk adjusted COVID-19 alert level 3, the basic position remains that those who can work from home, must do so.
Open Day 2022
The ICBC accepted a proposal that a hybrid model should be followed for SU's Open Day next year – with the institutional event taking place online, as it did earlier this year, followed by smaller in-person events at faculty or department level, possibly in clusters. The tentative date for the institutional event is 9 April 2022, to be followed by on-campus events scheduled for specific Saturdays in the first semester of 2022 (SU timetable depending). These dates will support the 2023 admissions cycle from April to July 2022.
STUDENT MATTERS
Amended dates for discontinuation of studies
The date for the discontinuation of studies in the second semester has been amended. There are now two dates:
- 31 August for students who did not write A4 assessments; and
- 17 September for those who wrote the A4s.
The last day for loading A4 marks will be 10 September, with ratification of the June/July exam marks by the DVC Learning and Teaching to follow by 14 September.
Summer graduation
Because of COVID-19, graduation at the end of the year will again follow a hybrid model – with undergraduate, honours and master's degree ceremonies taking place online, supplemented by small in-person ceremonies for the awarding of doctoral and honorary degrees, as well as the Chancellor's medal and awards. The dates are 13 to 16 December. Further details will be communicated in due course.
Student representation on the ICBC
Student leadership elections will be taking place soon and the current SRC Chair, Mr Xola Njengele, will be stepping down before our next meeting. The ICBC thanked Mr Njengele for his participation this year. He has made valuable inputs and we wish him well with his studies. We look forward to working with his successor.
CONCLUSION
Colleagues and students, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacted a high toll so far, though I note with gratitude that with your help, we have been able to meet and overcome many challenges. Two priorities stand out at this point: get fully vaccinated and stick to all COVID-19 protocols.
Best wishes for the remainder of the semester,
Prof Stan du Plessis
Chair: ICBC
