Continued existence of Tuks residences guaranteed – AfriForum Youth
There will be no changes made to any Tuks residences without consulting with students and other roleplayers connected to residences.
“This is an example of how the Student Representative Council (SRC), AfriForum Youth and residence students can work together to make the voices of students heard,” says Rochelle Oosthuyse, Chairperson of the AfriForum Tuks branch.
This announcement was made at a meeting on Tuesday, 29 July 2014 between AfriForum Youth, the President of the SRC, the member of the Student Council responsible for residences and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Cheryl de la Rey.
It comes after AfriForum exposed the plans of the UP to transform some of the residences into flats and separate first year and senior students.
The recent meeting was scheduled after AfriForum Youth on Monday, 28 July 2014 placed a coffin containing a memorandum with the signatures of 1600 students, which were collected within three days, in front of the Roosmaryn Building, where the Office of the Student Dean is located.
“We are pleased with the announcements made by Prof De La Rey. It erases all uncertainty regarding the future of Tuks residences. The planned changes would’ve had a negative impact on students and student life and the fact that no student was involved in any decision making process was a major problem,” said Rochelle Oosthuyse, Chairperson of the AfriForum Tuks branch.
Prof De la Rey’s announcements included the following:
- There will be no changes made to residences, except the upgrading of the older buildings.
- Residences will be involved in future decisions
- Traditions will live on as long as it is inclusive to everyone
AfriForum Youth will be monitoring all activities regarding residences and a healthy student life to ensure that no one will suffer under ill-judged decisions made by management.
