Saturday 8 August 2009

UNIVERSITY COUNCIL APPOINTS COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE RECENT STUDENT CRISIS


At an extra-ordinary meeting of Council convened to deal with the current student crisis at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), a resolution was taken to appoint a two person committee to investigate the concerns raised by all parties and to report back in two weeks time. The members of the committee will be independent and external to the institution. The names proposed were acceptable to all parties.

The meeting, at which students were represented and allowed to bring in additional members to address Council on issues of concern, unanimously agreed that.
• Pending the outcome of the investigation, all standing expulsions and disciplinary procedures related to the demonstrations shall be suspended.
• Council will suspend the decision on the upfront payment to allow for negotiations to continue for the determination of the 2010 fees. A report on the outcome of these negotiations will be tabled at the September Council meeting.
• While Council respects the constitutional right to protest or demonstrate, it was agreed that there will not be any further disruption of classes, intimidation, damage to property or any acts of violence.
• The University will make representations to the state in respect of the charges preferred against the students for malicious damage to property.
• The University facilitate the release of the students who were arrested.
• The University remains committed to all those who have been negatively impacted upon, physically and psychologically, and extend an invitation to approach the institution for trauma counseling when the need arises.
• Based on the outcome of this Council meeting, normal activities will resume on Tuesday, 11 August 2009.
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For more information please contact
Thami Nkwanyane on 0832068528
nkwanyananet@cput.ac.za
Or
(021) 959-6616