Students at our off-campus residences embarked on protest action since Friday 25th June 2021 due to what was considered perennial challenges that had not been addressed over a period of time by the proprietors of these facilities. Among others, the students demands centred on reliable WiFi to ensure full participation in online teaching and learning, CCTV cameras, geysers/hot water, poor mattresses and lack of sufficient washing machines.
Dr. Irene Mohasoa, the ED: Student Affairs has for the past couple of days engaged with the off campus residence management teams in attempts to resolve these challenges. In this regard she received support from the SMU ICT team and the Office of the DVC Research and Post Graduate studies to assist in the diagnosis of the WiFi challenges, and also to provide additional data to our students.
Today the SRC Residence Officer together with student residence representatives from the Heights and Tshwane Varsity Lodge requested the Vice Chancellor to intervene so that there is speedy resolution to the impasse. Subsequently the Vice Chancellor together with the student leadership met with the CEO and Executive Management of the Heights and TVL for an intense meeting on the student demands. Thereafter the team addressed students at these residences in which firm commitment has been promised to address the demands the students, with immediate effect.
In view of the fact that our students have already lost a lot of time following previous protest action on campus, and now this current protest on off campus residences, and the firm commitment from the Management of the Heights and TVL to address the student demands, students have agreed to resume online teaching and learning as from tomorrow Thursday 1st July 2021 with the understanding that commitments will be fulfilled.
On the request from students, the Vice Chancellor has acceded that assessments and any assignments that were due this week be postponed to next week. This is to mitigate against any unforeseen WiFi challenges that are to be fully assessed by Friday.
Issued by the Marketing & Communication
