10 Oktober 2019 WAPAD ® IS DIE STUDENTEKOERANT VAN DIE NWU-POTCHEFSTROOMKAMPUS
JAARGANG 73
TEL: (018) 299 2875
WAPAD@NWU.AC.ZA
Questions raised over residence placement 2020 Alet Janse van Rensburg @aletterkunde
T
he target to admit 50% black and 50% white first year students to residences on the North-West University (NWU) Potchefstroom campus has been implemented for the first years of 2020. Greg Roberts, Manager: Residence and Catering Services, explained that these targets are already implemented in order to ensure that the Potchefstroom campus reaches the 2025 goal. “We were requested by the NWU Council to implement this target for first years in residences next year because by 2019 the Potchefstroom campus only reached 28% transformation in residences,” said Roberts. Senior residence placement for 2020 still took place according to the 30% black 70% white ratio, although changes are to be expected in the near future. “The idea is to work toward a 5% annual increase in the 30% black students admitted to residences. This way residences
An everyday scene on the NWU Potchefstroom west campus where many residences are situated.
should reach the 50/50 ratio by 2024,” said Roberts. After allocating a limited amount of spaces to students from Namibia, private schools, Puk Sport and special requests, 70% of available spots are left. These spots, amounting to 1 020 places,
Het jy nuus? Stuur ’n e-pos aan wapad@nwu.ac.za
were allocated to students based only on academic merit in the ratio of 50% black and 50% white students. This ratio has led some to ask whether Indian, Asian or brown students are provided for? Residence and Catering Services
Wapad
confirmed that all non-white students are counted as “black”. “After many requests for formal communication, we received information stating this is the strategy in accordance with 2025 goals, but we do not have communication about the road
@NWUWapad
ahead and the exact procedure to follow,” said Matthew van Wyk: Student Campus Council (SCC) Residence Council. He also mentioned that he feels student leadership should be consulted because they are the mouthpiece for students and have to implement the strategies. Residence council has received complaints from residences about the procedure followed in the distribution of this information. A concern raised by Van Wyk was whether spots allocated to students who do not take up residence, will still be reserved according to the 50/50 ratio. Residence and Catering Services said that those available spaces will still be allocated based on the 50/50 ratio. Herman Steyn, director of Business and Enterprise Development, said, “Places in residences will not be left unoccupied in any situation.” SCC Chairperson, Heinz Schoeman-Struwig, made a clear distinction that, “We are comfortable with transformational targets but they should be fair, transparent and we should be consulted in it. On top of that, we want equal opportunities for all, regardless of race,” said Schoeman-Struwig.
@NWUWapad