Residences and student groups questioned the timing of the announcement, which was made during the recess when many HKs were not in Pretoria. They also complained about how the announcement was communicated to them, as most students – including SRC portfolio holder for residences Gabriel Nel – found out about the proposed changes through Facebook.
TuksVillage house parents Dr Johan and Karin Hendrickz posted news of the announcement on TuksVillage’s Facebook page after a meeting attended by house parents.
Nel said that he was not able to access the minutes of this meeting, and therefore is not sure what exactly the proposal entailed or why it was made. “I have submitted a letter to Prof. Mosia requesting further details on the reasons for the model as well as for details on the communication process. I have yet to receive an official response to the letter,” Nel told Perdeby.
Prof. Themba Mosia, vice-principal of Student Affairs and Residence Affairs and Accommodation, said that the university did not communicate information about the proposal to students because it had not yet been finalised.
SRC President Enwee Human told Perdeby that the SRC had not been consulted on the proposal before it was announced. He said that he sees no problem with the current residence model and that the university should build more residences if they wish to accommodate more first-year students.
According to Prof. Mosia, if the university does create first-year-only residences, an equal amount of residences will be reserved for senior students. He said that the university is also exploring other ways to expand the accommodation it can offer to students.
There is speculation that the Department of Higher Education (DHE) is putting pressure on South African universities to increase the number of first-year students that they admit and accommodate. According to DHE requirements, 40% of first-year students must live in a residence, although Human says UP’s policy allows for a lower percentage.
However, Prof. Mosia denied that the proposal was influenced by the DHE. “While the university is mindful of what goes on in the higher education sector as a whole, it manages its residence environment in a manner that is appropriate for the UP environment and student body,” he said.
When asked why the university considered the proposal, Prof. Mosia said that, “The University of Pretoria manages its residences in the context of its strategic vision regarding academic excellence.” He added that the proposal was put forward in light of efforts “to create an environment in which resident students, and new first years in particular, can achieve academic success and participate in student life in a balanced and safe manner”. Prof. Mosia said that the idea of first-year-only residences came from students themselves.
He also said that initial discussions, which included “significant input [from] students, staff members and the late Director: Residence Affairs and Accommodation [Prof. Roelf Visser]” took place before his appointment.In a statement issued on 11 July, UP said that, “The introduction of a number of first-year residences, with associated mentorship programmes, tutorials and leadership initiatives, is but one of several options being considered for the future to improve academic success and the throughput of undergraduate students.”
Some residences have expressed fear that the proposal will be implemented in the near future regardless of their input, and Prof. Mosia assured Perdeby that “consultation with students and other role players has been underway and will continue”.
It is likely, however, that students will continue to oppose the proposal. TuksRes posted a survey online in which members of the public could vote whether they supported or opposed the proposed change to residences.
Although the results of the survey found that 94% of respondents opposed the changes, the survey was not open exclusively to UP students and the statistics may not be completely accurate in terms of what UP students feel.
Rochelle Oosthuyse, chairperson of AfriForum Youth at UP, said that the proposed changes would damage student culture, sport and traditions.
Boekenhout chairperson James Johnson also expressed similar concern. “It is hard to believe many traditions will remain,” he said. “It is a tall task to expect a first year to take control of something they know nothing about.”
Johnson also said that seniors play an important role in guiding first years, a sentiment that was echoed by Inca primaria Philisiwe Mawhayi, who said that, “How first years will cope socially and with academics without guidance is rather questionable.”
The separate residence model is popular in the United States. The University of Cape Town also uses this model.
A meeting was scheduled to be held on 28 July to further discuss the matter.
Additional comments from heads of residences can be found on perdeby.co.za. With additional reporting by Molebogeng Mangoale and Mariëtte van Schalkwyk
Photo: Charlotte Bastiaanse and Brad Donald