Additional study spaces on campus and other updates

Dear colleagues and students

The University of Cape Town will extend library hours, increase access to computer labs and introduce additional spaces on campus to support students. Read more on this and other updates in the latest campus announcement.

1. Additional study spaces made available on campus

Extended library hours, access to computer labs and additional spaces elsewhere on campus are now being prepared for use by students in compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

The university will introduce study spaces for day students from 19 April 2021 until 24 December 2021. The intended users are students not living in residences who, due to structural and systemic inequalities, have limited internet connectivity and/or are studying in conditions not conducive for learning.

Library opening hours will be extended from 09:00 to 22:00, Monday to Friday and the Jammie Shuttle service will be extended to correspond with the extended closing time. Campus Protections Services will also be extended from Monday, 19 April.

Some faculty labs have been opened within limitations to help students with their planning, ICTS has created a dedicated webpage with all the information about lab availability.

Student Housing will also open their labs for use from Friday, 16 April, all residence libraries will be reopened and the university’s COVID-19 Coordinating Committee has approved that residence spaces that can be utilised for academic purposes can be reopened.

• Read the VC Desk: Additional study spaces made available on campus.

2. NSFAS funding reduction

The Department of Higher Education and Training and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme have announced a reduction in the number of programmes eligible for NSFAS funding. This affects three UCT programmes – the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting, Postgraduate Certificate in Education and the post-degree law programme.

As communicated last month, UCT’s Council has approved funding of R30 million for appeals. A decision has been taken to utilise part of this funding and donations received to provide support to qualifying students in these programmes that are now excluded from funding.

• Read the VC Desk: Financial support for students affected by 2021 exclusions in NSFAS funded programmes.

3. Launch of the University Panel on Responsible Investment

To celebrate the formal launch of the University Panel on Responsible Investment, and the university’s Responsible and Sustainable Investment Policy, you are invited to join an informative virtual conversation with a number of leading universities on the topic of responsible investment of a university endowment fund. The panel discussion will be moderated by former ambassador to the USA, Barbara Masekela, and will include representatives from Yale, Oxford and UCT.

The event will take place on the Microsoft Teams platform on Thursday, 22 April 2021 from 18:30 to 19:30 SAST. Join the launch.

• Read the Campus Announcement: Launch of the University Panel on Responsible Investment.

4. ICTS scheduled maintenance on Sunday, 18 April

Please note that on Sunday, 18 April 2021, the Information and Communication Technology Services (ICTS) department will perform scheduled maintenance from 09:00 to 17:00.

Unless advised to the contrary, staff and students should note that no ICT services will be available for the duration of the maintenance slot. Please remember to consult the scheduled ICTS maintenance slots for 2021 before planning any teaching, conferences, meetings, and other activities that require ICT services.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements