SRC cannot support return to classes while tension persists
THE UCT SRC’s official stance on the reopening of classes on Monday, October 3: At the university council meeting on October 1 (Saturday), it was resolved that the university would open and resume lectures on Monday using private security.
At this meeting, the SRC did not endorse this resolution for the following reasons:
The safety and security of students, staff and workers will be at risk as it remains unclear if the university management has made headway with the protesting students regarding the interdict and tribunal processes;
It would be disingenuous on our part if we were to encourage students to resume classes knowing very well that there remain clear tensions between stakeholders – not a conducive environment for students to continue with their studies properly;
A lacking commitment from the university management to support the national call for free, decolonised education – especially for the poor – and to urge the government and DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training) to make a clear and binding commitment;
While the SRC has a clear stance that the academic project must continue, it would be disingenuous on the part of the university management to resume operations on Monday as per normal, given that the current state of the university is not an equally accessible and inclusive space. To pretend that it is would undermine the genuine underlying demands made by multiple students, staff and workers for reform.
As mentioned in a previous communication, the SRC have attempted to engage with protesters in an attempt to break through the deadlock. Our request to meet was rejected. Subsequently, we have urged the university management, and continue to do so, to enter into a mediation process that will come out with a clear resolve between all affected and involved parties.
The reopening of classes on Monday with the force of private security indicates a lack of will from the university to protect the academic project in a manner that ensures the safety of all students on campus – rather than aggravating the current situation.
We thus take the following stance regarding the abovementioned matters at hand:
We do not support nor encourage the return of students to class on October 3, with the presence of private security and without proper engagement between all stakeholders involved with a clear resolution;
In the broader context of the discourse on free, decolonised education, clear support and a directive from the Vice-Chancellor – and all other Vice-Chancellors nationwide – must be made in advocating for this, with national student movement towards the government, treasury and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET); and
The commencement of an internal mediation process/Shackville TRC between management and interdicted students – with the understanding that the current interdict is too broad in its scope and punitive – lacking the address of the real issues at hand.
It is for the abovementioned reasons that, again, the SRC cannot support the reopening of school on Monday, October 3 – at a time which calls for leadership across universities that is sympathetic to the plight of students at both a national and local level. It is a time for all of us, as students of the university and for management, to reflect on the complexities faced on our campus and to stand in solidarity with the broader national movement on the call for free, decolonised education. Students’ Representative Council UCT