Classes continue today

12 October 2016 - Wits University

Update from the Senior Executive Team (10:30):

Academic Programme 

All classes continue today across all campuses. 

Overnight Incidents 

Three petrol bombs were found in a backpack near the Raikes Gate on the Wits West Campus in the early hours of this morning. A security officer made the discovery and alerted the police who removed them. 

Two other petrol bombs were found outside the John Moffet Building late last night. It appears as if another petrol bomb was thrown through a window to the basement of the building, which caused a fire. Security officers managed to extinguish the fire quickly. 

Eggs were thrown in at the Albert Wessels front entrance at the Wits Business School this morning. Taps were left open in Central Block bathrooms overnight, which led to flooding in the area. All areas have been cleaned. 

Offensive graffiti has reappeared in various Wits spaces and is being cleaned. 

Intimidation and misinformation 

We are aware that many students and staff are being intimidated by protesting students. This intimidation takes various forms – there are reports of intimidation of students in residences as well as those who attend classes. We remind all students and staff, that while protesting students have a right to demonstrate, others have a right to learn and work. 

There are students who are circulating threatening voice notes and WhatsApp messages to instil fear in the Wits community. These notes and messages have been passed on to the police and they are investigating it. 

There is much misinformation being spread through social media and we urge students to obtain their information from official Wits channels – www.wits.ac.za, www.facebook.com/witsuniversity, @Wits_News and @WitsUniversity. 

Please report any intimidation to Campus Control on (011) 717-4444 or (011) 717-6666 or to the Wits Legal Office. 

Clarification 

Contrary to the information spread on social media yesterday, the University did not lock any students into any residence. Security did close one pedestrian turnstile when disruptions occurred on the Parktown Campus yesterday. Students were able to leave via the front gate. 

Stay away from areas of conflict 

We appeal to all students and staff to stay away from areas in which conflict may occur. If incidents occur, move away from the area for your own safety.

Update:

WITS UPDATE – 12.10.16

Academic programme

The majority of classes continued today across all campuses without disruption, and with better attendance than yesterday. Thank you to those who attended and taught classes today.

Senate approved last week that the academic calendar would be extended by two weeks.

Term ends:          31 October

Study break:        1 - 2 November

Examinations:    3 - 30 November

Examination timetables

The final Oct-Nov 2016 examination timetable has been published on the Wits website and the student portal. You can obtain your personalised timetable from the student portal. The revised Wits School of Education examination timetable will be made available soon.

Please note that no student will be prevented from writing examinations for financial reasons.  

Graduations

Some graduations for 2016 have been rescheduled. Please visit the graduations webpage for details.  

[WATCH] Wits’ Pledge on free education

Wits has pledged its support for the goal of free, fully funded, quality, decolonised higher education. We pledge to approach government with a united voice for the realisation of this goal. We pledge to deploy our intellectual resources towards finding the best solutions. We are also prepared to support peaceful advocacy activities in this regard. Read the full pledge. Watch the video at www.wits.ac.za

Management’s engagement with protesting students

We reiterate that we have met with student leaders from various student structures and societies. We are open to engaging with students from all societies and mediators to try to find a negotiated settlement. The Dean of Students invited 20 student representatives to meet with management, but the protesting students did not take up the offer. We are also open to an imbizo provided that it doesn’t fall into teaching time, it is facilitated independently, it allows for two way conversation and is planned in advance. We have communicated with the Students’ Representative Council in this regard.

We are happy to address all internal issues as described earlier but it is beyond our control to give students free education now.

Thank you

SENIOR EXECUTIVE TEAM

12 OCTOBER 2016 (16:30)

Issued by Wits, 12 October 2016