Resumption of face-to-face university operations

20 February 2023

Dear colleagues and students

Please be informed that the University of Cape Town (UCT) will commence with the teaching and learning programme, and research operations, face-to-face on Monday, 20 February 2023.

Following disruptions on campus the previous week, which resulted in the academic project being moved online, it is important to return to on-campus operations this week. Staff members, postdoctoral research fellows and research students who have been working remotely are also encouraged to return to on-campus operations.

The UCT management are deeply regretful for the disturbances and distress that staff and students experienced as a result of the unfortunate developments of the past week. We apologise for this and the distress caused.

While the right to lawful protest must always be upheld, it is equally important to act when any incidents are outside the boundary of what is legitimate protest action. For this reason, the Western Cape High Court was approached for an interim interdict in order to restore order on campus and protect the rights of all in our UCT community. The interdict requires lawful conduct and provides that law enforcement agencies, including the SAPS, enforce the court order. UCT will always uphold the right to lawful and peaceful protest, but any acts that are unlawful will be responded to accordingly.

Faculties will put in place measures to meet duly performed (DP) requirements.

The UCT Council has a meeting scheduled for early this week, where one of the matters to be discussed is the events of the past week.

Management has taken several steps and put in place some of the necessary measures to ensure that the academic project continues without disruptions. These include the engagements with the SRC this past week.

As per the update shared on 16 February, approximately 4 000 students who ordinarily would have had fee blocks have now been able to register for the 2023 academic year due to these various measures put in place. This includes those who were able to register due to Council increasing the fee block threshold from R1 000 to R10 000 (over 3 400 students), those who had successful grace period applications (over 350 students) and those whose financial aid appeals were approved (over 250 students).

Read more about what UCT has done to address the issues raised.

Management has also put on the table an additional R5 million to assist students with fee blocks, on condition that the SRC match this amount through SRC-led fundraising initiatives.

Sincerely

UCT Management