The University of the Western Cape (UWC) notes the media queries and social media postings regarding the incorrect narrative that it is evicting students from residences.
Students are placed in residences for the academic year, and since the academic year has come to an end, the University is preparing for its annual closure on 23 December ahead of the 2022 academic year.
Over the years, the University has allowed individuals to apply for vacation accommodation and this has affected the proper maintenance of residences because it is difficult to work on a facility while students are present.
The health and safety of staff and students are of paramount importance to the University. Therefore, an approach of integrated COVID-19 planning and implementation has been taken. The discussions on the Draft Interim COVID-19 Vaccination Policy were well-publicised and the decision taken at Council on 25 November 2021 was preceded by a thorough consultative process that included elected student leadership. The entire Campus Community was informed once the draft policy was approved. This was followed by a specific communication to residence students as soon as the University’s COVID-19 Response Task Team considered whether or not to close residences.
We wish to place it on record that there are no evictions at UWC and no such decision was ever taken. The individuals who applied for vacation accommodation have been provided with alternative private accommodation spaces until the University residences reopen at the beginning of 2022. The decision to vacate residences was taken after a lengthy discussion with the vacation occupiers, and the provision of alternative private accommodation was always part of these discussions. The alternative accommodation provides a good quality living environment that is close to amenities.
It is important to report that even though private accommodation is treated as a separate cost, the University has made arrangements where even students who do not have cash are allowed to take occupancy of the rooms and the cost will be debited to their student account. We are aware that some students are using the vacation period to secure jobs and we are not oblivious to this reality.
Since the communication was released, transport arrangements have been made to take students from campus to the designated private accommodation spaces. What the University requires is to be given the space and time to attend to the necessary maintenance work and also prepare residences for the implementation of the Interim COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. The interim policy states that only students who are vaccinated may access campus, attend University events on campus and be able to stay in University residences.
We confirm that placing the vacation occupiers in alternative University sanctioned accommodation does not amount to an eviction. No student or vacation occupier is entitled to permanently reside in a particular room or residence. Students are not always allocated the same room or residence for the vacation period or in any subsequent year. We invite the media and all stakeholders to view the conditions at the alternative accommodation.
Issued by: The UWC COVID-19 Response Task Team
Students are placed in residences for the academic year, and since the academic year has come to an end, the University is preparing for its annual closure on 23 December ahead of the 2022 academic year.
Over the years, the University has allowed individuals to apply for vacation accommodation and this has affected the proper maintenance of residences because it is difficult to work on a facility while students are present.
The health and safety of staff and students are of paramount importance to the University. Therefore, an approach of integrated COVID-19 planning and implementation has been taken. The discussions on the Draft Interim COVID-19 Vaccination Policy were well-publicised and the decision taken at Council on 25 November 2021 was preceded by a thorough consultative process that included elected student leadership. The entire Campus Community was informed once the draft policy was approved. This was followed by a specific communication to residence students as soon as the University’s COVID-19 Response Task Team considered whether or not to close residences.
We wish to place it on record that there are no evictions at UWC and no such decision was ever taken. The individuals who applied for vacation accommodation have been provided with alternative private accommodation spaces until the University residences reopen at the beginning of 2022. The decision to vacate residences was taken after a lengthy discussion with the vacation occupiers, and the provision of alternative private accommodation was always part of these discussions. The alternative accommodation provides a good quality living environment that is close to amenities.
It is important to report that even though private accommodation is treated as a separate cost, the University has made arrangements where even students who do not have cash are allowed to take occupancy of the rooms and the cost will be debited to their student account. We are aware that some students are using the vacation period to secure jobs and we are not oblivious to this reality.
Since the communication was released, transport arrangements have been made to take students from campus to the designated private accommodation spaces. What the University requires is to be given the space and time to attend to the necessary maintenance work and also prepare residences for the implementation of the Interim COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. The interim policy states that only students who are vaccinated may access campus, attend University events on campus and be able to stay in University residences.
We confirm that placing the vacation occupiers in alternative University sanctioned accommodation does not amount to an eviction. No student or vacation occupier is entitled to permanently reside in a particular room or residence. Students are not always allocated the same room or residence for the vacation period or in any subsequent year. We invite the media and all stakeholders to view the conditions at the alternative accommodation.
Issued by: The UWC COVID-19 Response Task Team
