South African Survey of Student Engagement and other updates

Dear students

Students are invited to share their experiences of UCT via the South African Survey of Student Engagement (SASSE) questionnaire. Read more on this and other updates below.

1. SASSE deadline extended

Students are encouraged to make their voices heard in the SASSE 2021 questionnaire and share their experience of UCT. The results of this research can be used to improve student support, student life and the quality of teaching and learning on campus. The deadline has been extended to 30 November 2021.

• Learn more about and complete the SASSE questionnaire.
• Read the DVC Desk: Please complete the 2021 South African Survey of Student Engagement.

2. Renaming of upper campus places and spaces

The naming of places and spaces across UCT campuses is an opportunity to think deeply about who and what the university represents. The UCT community is invited to participate in the process of renaming Smuts Hall residence (in the interim referred to as Upper Campus Residence), the steps and plaza in front of Sarah Baartman Hall (currently Jameson Plaza) and the plinth on Madiba Circle.

Proposals may be submitted to the Naming of Buildings Committee (NoBC) before Monday, 6 December 2021. Following this, the NoBC will recommend new names to Council.

• Read the VC Desk: Renaming of upper campus places and spaces.
• Participate in the process.

3. Deadline for academic appeals

Students are reminded that 3 January 2022 is the deadline for submitting appeals to continue to study if they have not met the readmission requirements. An academic standing at the end of 2021 of “not eligible to continue” or “eligible to continue if SUPP/DE passed” means that a student is not permitted to renew their registration in 2022, as they have not met the minimum academic requirements to do so. If a student is deemed ineligible but wishes to continue to study, they must appeal by 3 January 2022. The deans of faculties will send more details about this process.

• Read the DVC Desk: Please mark 3 January 2022 as an important deadline.

4. Celebrate the official launch of the UCT SRC AfriFund

UCT students and staff are invited to attend online the official launch and fundraiser of the UCT Students’ Representative Council (SRC) AfriFund.

The AfriFund aims to support African international students who are unable to register due to outstanding university fees, such as tuition and residence fees, through funds raised by the SRC, with assistance from the Development and Alumni Department. The fund is intended to assist with financial debt clearance.

The hybrid event will be held on Monday, 29 November from 16:30 to 19:00, hosted both on middle campus and the Microsoft Teams platform. Please note that RSVPs for physical attendance are closed as the event has reached capacity.

At the launch, international students will share their stories, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng will be the guest speaker and there will be live entertainment.

• Download the flyer for more information.
• Learn more about the AfriFund in its concept document.
• Join the event online on Microsoft Teams.

5. December 2021 graduation celebration

Graduation is scheduled to take place on 13 and 14 December 2021 virtually. On both days, there will be a live ‘walk of celebration’ for graduands and their guests to commemorate this significant milestone on campus.

Please note that the December 2021 graduation pertains to students who qualified by 31 October 2021 only. At the beginning of November, the Student Records Office sent communication to these qualifiers via email (@myuct) and SMS. Students who qualified after 31 October 2021 will have a graduation session in 2022. Please refer to the “2021/2022 graduation notice” on the graduation page on the UCT students website.

• Read the VC Desk: December 2021 graduation celebration.

6. ICTS scheduled maintenance on Sunday, 28 November

Please note that there is a scheduled maintenance slot by Information and Communication Technology Services (ICTS) on Sunday, 28 November from 09:00 to 17:00. Unless advised to the contrary, do not expect any ICT services to 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, etc that require ICT services. For more information, see the article on why ICTS schedules regular monthly maintenance slots.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements