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THUTO MASHILA: Transformation and Student Success

How has the #SaveTheSemester initiative been further developed? How is the counselling provided by the #SaveTheSemester initiative different from that provided by the UP counselling unit? Has the SRC liaised to provide more counselling services to students during exam times?

I stated that #SaveTheSemester is also going to focus on mental health. We had a few videos with the aim of assisting and or advising students. One of the videos was from the counselling unit that was aimed at giving advice with regards to handling stress during exam time. That is how the initiative tackled the issue of mental health. We are constantly in touch with the counselling unit to see how students can be assisted during the time of exams and in general. We try to emphasise that there are more ways and or channels of receiving counselling besides the counselling unit - but what also forms part of the unit is the 0800744 special hotline number that students can phone. We emphasise that students can also phone that number. Furthermore, if students are having challenges with receiving appointments,we follow it up with the head of the counselling unit.

How have res policies been transformed to help struggling students academically?

Thuto Mashila stated that they are in talks with Chané Williamson to adjust policy so that those who are disadvantaged are not discriminated against.

What was the outcome of talks with Chane Williamson? What policies have been adjusted?

At the moment we have the Institutional Culture Survey and in the survey. I, as the transformation officer, was there to ask key questions with regards to transformation and changes that need to take place with regards to residence policies. Only residence students are allowed to answer those specific questions as it pertains to them. Part four of the survey speaks to residence policies and residence surveys. The SRC urges all students to take that survey because it will speak to transformation in the university and residences - specifically the policies. The changes will be informed with the results of the survey among others. We thus urge every student to participate in the survey so that we can see tangible transformation. Statistics are required for transformation to take place.

How have self-defense classes been implemented? Please update on the initiative? Have pepper sprays been distributed, if so, to whom? If not, why? Has there been any talks/distribution efforts in private accommodations?

I have stated in the past that this initiative will take place in conjunction with the offices of RAG and Facilities, Safety and Security. We are still trying to gather funds but hopefully it will take place before the end of the final semester. Furthermore, we do believe that pepper spray does not really sort out the GBV / harassment crisis - however they can be very useful in this regard.

How has the office worked to overhaul res culture? How has the problem of inclusivity been sorted? What has the initiative achieved and how have students been involved?

In the institutional culture survey as explained above. Students are urged to take the survey so that change can be implemented accordingly.

NJABULO SIBEKO: Facilities, Safety and Security

Sibeko, despite the SRC being given 10 working days (five days more than required), did not respond to questions directed to him. He did not respond to texts when contacted directly. For transparency, the following are the questions that were sent to Sibeko without responses.

The SRC saying that “it is better for a woman to deal with these issues” shows a one-sided view of GBV that only affects women. What has the SRC done to make sure male students know that they can utilise the email address when they are affected by GBV?

The member promised to create easier channels of reporting. While the GBV email address was created last year, what channels has the member been able to create as promised during the campaign?

Please offer statistics on how many students have reported cases of GBV and how many have been assisted successfully?

How does the reporting systemwork?

Who has access to the emails?

How is the person’s identity protected?

After an email is received, what steps are undertaken to help resolve the matter?

When will computers be available on campus 24/7? Please update.

In which residences have communal kitchens been introduced?

Please update, this SRC’s term is almost over, have you received authorisation and if not, what was the reasoning behind it? If you have, when will it begin?

How has the office ensured that more female staff are visible at main access points?

During the Student Forum, Sibeko stated that the goal was to reach this change by the end of July.

What was the outcome of the mentioned drafted request?

Was this achievable by the end of July? If not, when will the idea come to fruition?

Please elaborate on what the backlogs are, and what were some of the key points discussed in the draft request? Please may the SRC supply a copy of this draft proposal to PDBY?

In what ways has the office ensured that students feel safe on and off campus?

Where have panic buttons been installed?

What areas have been indicated as “vulnerable”?

What efforts did the SRC make to hold these student engagements, if this was not made, what caused the delay?

Can the SRC please supply proof to PDBY in the form of a draft proposal or any other relevant document that there was a dialogue engaged to implement panic buttons on campus?

How has the office increased the number of security guards at university residences?

Njabulo Sibeko stated that they had previously touched on it. In proposal we seek to draw up red crosses with areas without policing. Following which, more policing will try and be afforded there. Accordingly, security services will be distributed to say the outskirts of Hatfield.

Where have red crosses been drawn up and on what criteria were these areas classified as such?

Has more policing been provided in these areas, if not, why?

In what way has the office ensured that buses travel to external campuses more frequently?

Njabulo Sibeko stated at the Student Forum that they have consulted with various offices with regard to buses and have shown fruition at Groenkloof and Onderstepoort. Amendments will follow accordingly.

What were the improvements made? E.g., what were the number of buses before and what did the SRC do to increase this?

How has the office worked to ensure the establishment of green routes on all campuses?

Njabulo Sibeko stated that students are urged to contact the management centre to arrange for escorts.

How has the office made campuses more accessible for students with disabilities?

Please offer updates on the assessment of architectural structures. Is campus more accessible? How?

Could the SRC supply proof that an assessment was taken or attempted?

NOTHANDO NGUBENI: Day students and external campus affairs

What “open line of communication” has been created between day students and the SRC?

Has the day house sub council been established? If not, why? Who sits on the house sub council?

The day house sub-council is a Constitutional amendment/addition from the office of Day Students and External Campus Affairs. Once the Constitution is finalised, the sub-council can be established.

What efforts have been made towards the eradication of membership fees for students who come from poor backgrounds?

Nothando Ngubeni stated that 60% of [her] budget is going towards day houses. The SRC will take it one step at a time.

What steps have been taken?

The funds are there, it will be announced soon on SRC social media platforms, however, we will look into working together with the day houses to assist day students so that they can also participate.

How much increase in funding for students in day houses has the SRC been able to provide?

Nothando Ngubeni said that 60% of the budget has been allocated to day houses.

Compared to the past, is this an increase? Show us how the budget has been increased please.

Ngubeni said that she did not understand this question.

Ngubeni was later sent a text detailing what this question required from her - which was either the amount of money or a percentage that shows that this mentioned 60% is in fact an increase as this was

her campaign promise. PDBY did not receivce a response.

What measures can students take against unkept campaign promises?

The Department of Student Affairs (DSA) explained what action students can take to hold SRC members who did not keep their promises accountable. The director of student affairs, Dr Matete Madiba, said “Our focus is not on campaign promises but on the POAs [Plan of Action] that they produce. We take a developmental approach and they start the planning process from the initial induction and training they get. They then refine their plans and once finalised they make the plans public and use them to report on progress. We use the same for a round of evaluation meetings we have with them”.

Images: twitter @UP_SRC

Students who are directly affected by unkept promises can contact the SRC to find out when these promises will come to fruition or to express their views on the current situation. Students can also contact PDBY and share their views in a letter to the editor. See pg 2 for details.