Operations at Walter Sisulu University’s (WSU) Buffalo City Campus came to a standstill when students disrupted lectures – just two days after the university opened its doors.
A statement issued by the BCC rector, Dr Prince Jaca, said operations were first disrupted when staff and students were chased from their study and work stations on Tuesday.
Lectures were also brought to a halt at all sites within Buffalo City, including Chiselhurst, Potsdam, College Street, Cambridge Street, Heritage and Absa Stadium sites.
BCC student representative council (SRC) member Zolile Zamisa said they were planning to stop all operations until they had ironed out their grievances, including lack of accommodation and residences that are in a bad condition.
“We are removing staff and students from all sites until we meet with students and management to address our grievances.
“The residences we live in are appalling, the landlords and owners of these accommodations are exploiting us and we need the university’s management to intervene.”
The students are also calling for the new online residence allocation system to be scrapped and to revert to the old system. They also asked for more beds and for the acting director of student affairs to be removed.
“The new system is confusing and it appears that the staff are also not aware of how it works as they unable to explain it to us.
“As for the beds, every year the university accepts 6000 plus students despite knowing there are only 2167 beds, that does not make sense,” said Zamisa.
WSU spokesman Thando Cezula said the online residence allocation system was introduced last year to make the process faster. He acknowledged the shortage of accommodation.
Cezula said there were long-term plans in the university’s strategic goals to surpass the national benchmark of providing 30% student accommodation.
“The university thus acknowledges the critical issue of shortage of student accommodation and is working hard in addressing this problem but there are budget constraints,” he said.
Zamisa said a mass student meeting will be held today at the College Street site and plans were to meet with management thereafter. “The way forward will be determined by the outcome of these meetings.” — arethal@dispatch.co.za
WSU students disrupt lectures
A statement issued by the BCC rector, Dr Prince Jaca, said operations were first disrupted when staff and students were chased from their study and work stations on Tuesday.
Lectures were also brought to a halt at all sites within Buffalo City, including Chiselhurst, Potsdam, College Street, Cambridge Street, Heritage and Absa Stadium sites.
BCC student representative council (SRC) member Zolile Zamisa said they were planning to stop all operations until they had ironed out their grievances, including lack of accommodation and residences that are in a bad condition.
“We are removing staff and students from all sites until we meet with students and management to address our grievances.
“The residences we live in are appalling, the landlords and owners of these accommodations are exploiting us and we need the university’s management to intervene.”
The students are also calling for the new online residence allocation system to be scrapped and to revert to the old system. They also asked for more beds and for the acting director of student affairs to be removed.
“The new system is confusing and it appears that the staff are also not aware of how it works as they unable to explain it to us.
“As for the beds, every year the university accepts 6000 plus students despite knowing there are only 2167 beds, that does not make sense,” said Zamisa.
WSU spokesman Thando Cezula said the online residence allocation system was introduced last year to make the process faster. He acknowledged the shortage of accommodation.
Cezula said there were long-term plans in the university’s strategic goals to surpass the national benchmark of providing 30% student accommodation.
“The university thus acknowledges the critical issue of shortage of student accommodation and is working hard in addressing this problem but there are budget constraints,” he said.
Zamisa said a mass student meeting will be held today at the College Street site and plans were to meet with management thereafter. “The way forward will be determined by the outcome of these meetings.” — arethal@dispatch.co.za
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