BCC impasse affects special examinations

The examinations were scheduled for February 25, but will now take place on April 5. The closing date for the applications for special examinations has also been extended to March 7.

A special examination is a second exam offered to students prevented from writing their examinations due to illnesses or personal circumstances.

Lectures at the university’s BCC sites came to a standstill on February 9 when students disrupted learning.

Students and staff were chased from their study areas at all sites, including Chiselhurst, Potsdam, College Street, Cambridge Street, Heritage and Absa Stadium.

BCC student representative council (SRC) member Zolile Zamisa said they removed staff and students to ensure the institution did not operate until they had ironed out their grievances, including lack of accommodation and residences in a bad condition.

In a statement sent at the weekend, university spokeswoman Yonela Tukwayo said the SRC insisted the campus remain closed until their demands are met, while the union representatives were adamant their constituents want to return to work.

“Extra security will be on standby to ensure the safety of staff members returning to work,” Tukwayo said.

Tukwayo said at a six-hour meeting held last Friday between the BCC management committee and the campus SRC, the SRC insisted on responses and not discussions.

“The students presented their long list of demands and stated they did not want to engage in discussions with the management committee but rather insisted on a positive response to all their demands.”

Tukwayo said most of the issues tabled by the SRC, such as shortage of beds and accommodation, had been dealt with last week, with the agreement that some resolutions will take time to implement.

Tukwayo said the SRC added new demands, some of which include:

lOverturning the expulsion and suspension of some students;

lThe evening closing times at residence need to be reviewed;

lWater tanks and generators be provided in case of supply disruptions;

lThe replacement of malfunctioning electrical appliances; and

lReplacement of mattresses.

“The committee is committed to resolving some of the demands. Some could not be addressed positively and they are outside the control of campus management.

“For example, the suspension and expulsion of students at the university flow from university student disciplinary processes.”

The committee was also committed to requesting the facilities unit to initiate the process of getting generators for residents in Potsdam residence.

“This may be a long process as the generators can be costly and may require a special budget.”

The BCC SRC president Thulani Landu who described their actions as a “campus sit-down”, said the SRC understands some of the issues, such as residence, will take time to be resolved.

Landu said a meeting scheduled for yesterday did not take place as planned. — arethal@ dispatchlive.co.za/