Dear Students

I regret to inform you that the illegal student protests have continued today. Earlier this morning, SASCO submitted an unsigned list of demands to me. I maintain my position to only negotiate with the SRC and not entertain individual clubs and societies, I feel that I must let you know the factual position on issues raised by the SRC.

ACCOMMODATION
DUT has committed to providing quality accommodation to as many students as the university can afford. Towards the end of 2011, the university went through a transparent tender process, one that included the SRC, of identifying and selecting quality residences that were close to the campus. In addition, it raised the number of beds by 300, taking our total to almost 6000 beds in Durban and PMB.

For those residences that are situated off campus, transport is being provided – in some cases, both day and night, and in other cases, only at night as these residences are reasonably close to the university.

Further increasing the number of beds at this time will place the university at a great financial risk, as any extra increase will not be funded by NSFAS or by bursaries. Consequently, DUT will not be acquiring any new residences in 2012. For the record, the increase in residence fees, as approved by Council, was 10%, however, Council has also approved the recovery of 50% of the transport costs from students in residences, where transport is necessary.

Plans are well underway in constructing an on campus residence that will accommodate a further 800 students. Construction of the building is expected to commence in the second half of 2012 and we expect that the building will be ready for occupation in 2014.

NSFAS
DUT has been fortunate this year, in that the NSFAS allocation has been slightly increased from the previous amount. However, NSFAS still remains a challenge as the need is great. We received R203 323 000.00 this year. This was distributed to first year and returning students – and the allocation covers tuition, residence fees (where applicable), meals and a book allowance. Recognising the need of our students, DUT management will continue to lobby the Ministry to provide additional funds during the course of the year.

B-Tech STUDENTS
The status quo regarding the B-Tech students remains, as the Department of Higher Education & Training has not indicated that this group of students will be funded under the NSFAS allocation. In 2011, first year B-Techs were provided with DUT loans to cover tuition and accommodation. However, the understanding was that this arrangement would be for 2011 only.

Management realizes that it is important to support those B-Tech students with assistance this year and we have agreed to provide DUT loans (for tuition only) for those continuing B-Tech students who are completing their studies this year. However, a small group of B-Tech students, who are finishing their studies in 2012, have applied for residence and will be accommodated under the loan agreement.

SRC
All these issues have been raised by the SRC. We hope to continue to constructive engagement to find solutions to problems that affect students. We urge any registered club or society, or any individual student, to work with and via the SRC to raise their concerns with management.

VIOLENT MASS ACTION
As Vice-Chancellor and Principal, I strongly condemn the illegal violent protest action by SASCO members on our campus. Damage to university and personal property, intimidation of other students and staff, disruption of classes and violence will not be tolerated. All this does is to harm the good name of our university. It brings DUT into disrepute. This ultimately, will affect the employability of our students and severely compromise future private funding which could assist indigent students.

CONCLUSION
I would like to reiterate that we will not negotiate directly with DUT clubs and societies. Any DUT club and/or society must work with the SRC and I will not disempower the SRC by ignoring the procedural channels of communication. Furthermore, we will continue to ask the police to enforce the court order so that we protect our staff and students. Yesterday, the police arrested five illegal protestors who were in violation of the Court Interdict. We will not tolerate unruly behaviour that compromises the safety and security of the DUT community.

I truly regret any disruption that the continuing illegal student protest may have caused you. And we are anxious to ensure that our normal academic activities will proceed unimpeded.

Regards

Ahmed C Bawa (Professor)
Vice-Chancellor & Principal