Exams at Rhodes to go ahead

Special security measures, including police presence, to be enforced at venues

EXAMS at Rhodes University will go ahead, according to the university. The decision has been made despite a weekend of protest, arson and extensive damage to property, including to one of the examination venues.

The university said that over the weekend street lights had been damaged, dozens of windows broken across the campus, vehicles damaged and fires lit.

An apparent attempt to set alight the Great Hall, a major exam venue, failed when the fire was spotted and put out by campus security.

Just a door and part of the entrance were damaged.

But dozens of windows in the Great Hall were broken.

The university said that the published exam timetable would be adhered to.

“Adequate arrangements will be put in place to minimise the impact of any possible disruption of the examinations.

“Your lecturers will be in touch with you if there are changes to the venue or the form of your examination,” students were told.

Access to venues would be strictly controlled.

The university has also made a number of concessions.

Students have been granted an “amnesty” on meeting coursework requirements.

The amnesty stretches back to mid-September when the protests began.

Supplementary exams will also be available to any students who sit the November exams and who score at least 35% as a final mark for the course.

All fees for supplementary examinations will be waived.

“The end of the academic year is very close now. It is time to use all the support available to you, keep as calm as possible and focus on your studies,” a letter to students said

There has been an outpouring of anxiety from students on social media about writing exams under the watchful eye of police or under threat of disruptions.

But the university said it was vital to keep going even in the face of the challenges so students could complete their degrees.

The cash-strapped university has also asked that year-end functions be cancelled as it said these would be irresponsible and inappropriate. It described its financial situation as precarious.

In the meantime, the university said in response to questions that it continued to engage with all internal stakeholders including the SRC, unions, heads of academic departments and management. “We are all committed to ensuring the successful completion of the 2016 academic year,” a statement said.

The university has denied there has been any strike action by any of its workers in support of the protest.

The protests have taken a toll on students and staff alike.

The university said some students had been placed on extended leave by the counselling centre and would return only when they felt able to cope with their academic requirements.