GEORGE NEWS - Students at the Nelson Mandela University George Campus did not allow any staff members or non-resident students to enter the campus grounds since yesterday morning, Monday 20 February, at the start of the new academic year.
They were protesting at the campus entrance gate from the early morning hours. Only the kitchen staff in the dining hall have been allowed in to prepare meals.
Students have been arriving on campus over the last few days, but a number could not register, and as a result could not be appointed campus accommodation or access off-campus accommodation in George, according to some of the students George Herald spoke to on campus.
This was, among others, as a result of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) not having approved or cleared their bursary applications yet, they said.
Chairperson of the student representative council (SRC) Sinalithemba Kwaza said, "The university has an accommodation crisis. On paper the campus accommodation is full. One hundred new students were admitted while there is space for only 30, so extra accommodation must be found in a hurry”.
Some students are temporarily "squatting" in the rooms of those who have accommodation in the residences.
Kwaza said a number of students' applications to NSFAS were rejected on the basis that they had not submitted all the necessary documentation, while they in fact had submitted it.
Appeals in such cases can take months, and in the meantime the appellants are unable to attend university.
She said another complaint is that students who had failed to pass one module of their course last year, are not being allowed to undergo a special assessment (as was the case in the past), but they have to repeat the module over the full year.
Furthermore, the university's concessions for students who still have debt in terms of last year's concessions have not been approved. The students feel that those who cannot afford these payments, should not be prevented from attending university. Concessions are awarded to certain students to pay off their fees.
Milisa Piko, head of the campus marketing and communications division, said the university management would be meeting regarding the students' complaints, which were submitted via a memorandum.
"At present, we are not privy to the full details and comprehensive report, and will issue a statement after the management committee meeting."
The students gave the university management 72 hours to respond.
Comment from NSFAS is being awaited.
Here and there small groups of students could be seen walking around campus and the dining room had some lively activity. Apparently, the shuttle service into town was also not functioning. Photo: Alida de Beer
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