An independent investigation into several confrontations between Rhodes University students and management last year has recommended urgent talks to resolve tensions.The report to vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela – which was submitted late last year – called for an amnesty for any disciplinary transgressions by students following several protests and a lengthy council chamber sit-in by Black Student Movement members.
The investigation, which was headed by Professor Emeritus Thandabantu Nhlapo and included Grahamstown advocate Izak Smuts, SC, and Neela Hoosain, also urged students to work with management to resolve their differences.
“The students are strongly urged to commit fully to peaceful and lawful participation in any initiatives for honest dialogue that the university may mount as a result of this report.”
The 25-page report commissioned by Mabizela was widely circulated on the toplist e-mail by management on Tuesday.
Rhodes University spokeswoman Catherine Deiner yesterday said the university accepted the findings and would act in accordance with them.
“The vice-chancellor’s forums and campus-wide dialogues and engagements aimed at creating and maintaining an inclusive, welcoming, affirming and positive institutional culture, in order to advance transformation more broadly, will continue in 2016,” a short statement said.
Attempts to get BSM comment proved fruitless yesterday.
Although the report was sparked by fiery confrontation between students and management at a senate meeting last August, other earlier incidents were also included.
During three days of interviews, the panel met 16 staff comprising 11 academics and five senior administrators as well as 14 students who identified themselves either as BSM members or supporters.
Several written submissions, including a university task team report on holiday accommodation for students unable to go home and a video on the Senate meeting confrontation, were received.
According to the report, tensions had been “simmering for several months” before the August confrontation between “mainly black” students and management over vacating campus residences during the April and September holidays.
Cash-strapped students claimed they had nowhere to go as they could not afford to travel home while management maintained they used the holidays to do essential maintenance.
The university also earned much-needed third stream income from conferences, vacation schools and sports gatherings that contributed to the university budget and was used to subsidise residence fees.
In the days leading up to the August confrontation, BSM students occupied the council chamber and stayed there for 37 days.
According to management, Mabizela offered alternatives to those who could not vacate their rooms. A total of 492 students were assisted to the tune of R935000.
Claims by students that management called police when they tried to enter the senate meeting and that dogs were set on them were dismissed by the panel.
“In our view, the matter is further complicated by the fact that this communication chasm exists despite the best efforts of an approachable, concerned and principled black vice-chancellor.
“We offer no ready solutions but urge the university to create the opportunity for an honest, bare-all, dialogue that will attempt to get to the bottom of these tensions,” the report said — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Rhodes advised to solve unrest
The report to vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela – which was submitted late last year – called for an amnesty for any disciplinary transgressions by students following several protests and a lengthy council chamber sit-in by Black Student Movement members.
The investigation, which was headed by Professor Emeritus Thandabantu Nhlapo and included Grahamstown advocate Izak Smuts, SC, and Neela Hoosain, also urged students to work with management to resolve their differences.
“The students are strongly urged to commit fully to peaceful and lawful participation in any initiatives for honest dialogue that the university may mount as a result of this report.”
The 25-page report commissioned by Mabizela was widely circulated on the toplist e-mail by management on Tuesday.
Rhodes University spokeswoman Catherine Deiner yesterday said the university accepted the findings and would act in accordance with them.
“The vice-chancellor’s forums and campus-wide dialogues and engagements aimed at creating and maintaining an inclusive, welcoming, affirming and positive institutional culture, in order to advance transformation more broadly, will continue in 2016,” a short statement said.
Attempts to get BSM comment proved fruitless yesterday.
Although the report was sparked by fiery confrontation between students and management at a senate meeting last August, other earlier incidents were also included.
During three days of interviews, the panel met 16 staff comprising 11 academics and five senior administrators as well as 14 students who identified themselves either as BSM members or supporters.
Several written submissions, including a university task team report on holiday accommodation for students unable to go home and a video on the Senate meeting confrontation, were received.
According to the report, tensions had been “simmering for several months” before the August confrontation between “mainly black” students and management over vacating campus residences during the April and September holidays.
Cash-strapped students claimed they had nowhere to go as they could not afford to travel home while management maintained they used the holidays to do essential maintenance.
The university also earned much-needed third stream income from conferences, vacation schools and sports gatherings that contributed to the university budget and was used to subsidise residence fees.
In the days leading up to the August confrontation, BSM students occupied the council chamber and stayed there for 37 days.
According to management, Mabizela offered alternatives to those who could not vacate their rooms. A total of 492 students were assisted to the tune of R935000.
Claims by students that management called police when they tried to enter the senate meeting and that dogs were set on them were dismissed by the panel.
“In our view, the matter is further complicated by the fact that this communication chasm exists despite the best efforts of an approachable, concerned and principled black vice-chancellor.
“We offer no ready solutions but urge the university to create the opportunity for an honest, bare-all, dialogue that will attempt to get to the bottom of these tensions,” the report said — davidm@dispatch.co.za
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