To the SPU Community
Further to the statement released this morning, please be advised that the Senior Management Team (SMT) met at 12:00 today to deliberate on the way forward.
The University upholds the right to peaceful protest that does not infringe on the constitutional rights of third parties.
The SMT is concerned about reports of intimidation of staff (including of our security personnel) by protestors, and of other students. These acts of intimidation are not only hindering the academic project and the operations of the University, but indeed infringe on the constitutional rights of these individuals. Staff and students should report acts of intimidation to Campus Security. These acts of intimidation will be investigated and where there is clear evidence, appropriate and immediate disciplinary action will follow.
The University already made a concession to delay the start of the academic year from Monday, 21 February to Wednesday, 23 February. No further delays to the start of the academic year will be countenanced. Teaching and learning will continue online for the remainder of this week and all university meetings or engagements will also be held online. Whilst online classes will continue for the remainder of this week, the blended mode of teaching and learning will commence on Monday, 26 February 2022.
The SMT has taken stock of the situation around accommodation for first-year students and is working towards a resolution which will be communicated to the University community in due course.
