In his report, Human said that NSFAS currently has a R53 million backlog for student payments at UP. Students with historical debt will not qualify for financial assistance in 2015 and will not be able to register for the academic year. Tuition fees are also set to increase by 9.5% for undergraduate, 10.5% for postgraduate and 12% for master’s students.
The discontinuation of the Sunnyside/Arcadia bus service was another issue discussed. According to the SRC portfolio holder of facilities, safety and security Kim Ngobeni the service was not used effectively, with a 31% maximum usage during the June examination period. Ngobeni added that the problem lies with obtaining the funding for the service, which amounts to R80 000 per month. The issue of buses to the Prinshof campus was also raised.
EFF Tuks secretary Jaco Oelofse addressed issues in residences saying that racial segregation is disguised as cultural segregation in residences. “It is 2014, why are we still tackling issues of racism?” he asked. SRC portfolio holder of residences Gabriel Nel responded to Oelofse and said that the perceived 60:40 racial quota does not exist on any legal documents.
Photo: Brendon Fraser
