VCs call for state funding and end to violent protests

University vice chancellors (VCs) have called for more funding from the state while also appealing to students recognise the realities of university administration and desist from destructive and violent protests.

The announced that they were committed to “continuing the widening of student access to university study and to the transformation of our universities consistent with the founding provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa”.

They expressed their support for “the quest for access to quality higher education” and said “we have a collective responsibility to safeguard the integrity and credibility of our higher education system”.

“We believe that all students are entitled to the same quality of education‚ regardless of their economic or social standing‚ and we cannot compromise on this aspect if we are serious about real socio-economic transformation.”

They welcomed President Jacob Zuma’s acceptance of the recommendations of the Presidential Task Team which was appointed to explore funding challenges at universities.

“We recognise that mobilising more than R6.5 billion for this purpose within a short period in an environment of fiscal restraint is exceptional.”

But they also called for more state funding. “We also amplify the call for better subsidisation of the university sector by the state‚ in line with the current and projected growth of the sector.”

While lauding the zero% increase in student fees‚ agreed after student protests earlier this year‚ they said students would nevertheless “still be required to pay their student fees in 2016‚ even if these have not increased. This is one of the key revenue streams that keep universities financially sustainable.”

“Universities‚ in turn‚ commit to mobilising new funds‚ where possible‚ to support financially needy students. It is our contention that universities are not profit-generating organisations‚ but do have to be financially sustainable. We as vice-chancellors have to ensure that we safeguard our universities so that they can also benefit future generations.

“Academic requirements will continue to be a determinant of admissions policies at universities which will allow deserving learners the best opportunities of success. It must be noted that every student who repeatedly fails and remains at university effectively takes the place of someone else.

“We recognise the constitutional right of students to lawful and peaceful protest and ask students to act responsibly during protests and to respect the constitutional rights of others to learn and work.

“While we agree that reducing the cost of higher education and increasing access are a noble cause‚ we cannot condone some of the methods used during the recent protests. In this regard‚ we condemn all acts of violence‚ criminal acts‚ damage to property and behaviour that impinge on the constitutional rights of others.

“We call on all actors in society – the state‚ the private sector‚ individuals‚ civil society and others – to prioritise the funding of higher education with urgency‚ to support one of the best functioning sectors on the continent‚ and in so doing to invest in developing the high level intellectual capacity that is desperately needed to secure our collective futures.”