From the Rector’s Office
8 February 2016
Dear Colleague
Over the weekend, Stellenbosch University was in the news after photographs were posted on social media leading to allegations of ‘clearly blackfacing’ at a social event in Heemstede residence. More photographs followed, and the outcry has since changed to ‘clearly not blackfacing’ (see below).
This highlights the complexity of these issues and how diverse and fickle views on social media can be.
In such matters we are guided by our Disciplinary Code for Students. The University cannot act on comments or photographs in the media, on social media, or individual opinions. If there are allegations of misconduct, or if the name of the University or the maintenance of order and discipline is prejudiced, the University has a responsibility to investigate. We have also given the undertaking that the units involved in the investigation would be representative in terms of race and gender.