Draft Vaccine Mandate Policy stakeholder engagements and other updates

Dear colleagues and students

The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Vaccine Mandate Panel (VMP) continues to hold consultative sessions on the draft Vaccine Mandate Policy. Staff have an opportunity to attend the final session. Read more on this and other updates below.

1. Draft Vaccine Mandate Policy stakeholder engagements

Staff who missed the session held on 27 January by the university’s Vaccine Mandate Panel (VMP) on the draft Vaccine Mandate Policy, have an opportunity and are encouraged to attend the final staff engagement session on Wednesday, 16 February at 11:00 via the Microsoft Teams Platform.

The sessions are part of the stakeholder engagement process and speak to the Institutional Fora. All staff are encouraged to participate in the session to make their voices heard and to learn more about the work of the panel.

• Join the staff meeting.
• Read the draft policy.

2. Safety and security on campus

The safety of students and staff remains one of the university’s key priorities.

Campus Protection Services (CPS) operates 24/7 and is committed to maintaining the safety of UCT and the wider community, safeguarding their property, while maintaining order in accordance with university policies.

CPS officers operate from various centres around UCT, patrolling campuses on foot, in marked cars as well as through live CCTV feeds.

Students and staff are advised to always be aware of their surroundings, and particularly of the people in their environment. Please report any suspicious behaviour. Please do not leave your possessions unattended.

If at any stage you feel unsafe, please call CPS on 080 650 2222 (toll-free) or 021 650 2222/3. This number is printed on the back of every UCT identity card.

Other emergency and essential numbers

Ambulance 10177

Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH) 021 404 9111

24/7 Sexual Assault standby number 072 393 7824

SADAG UCT Student Careline 0800 24 25 26 or SMS 31393 for a callback

Suicide Helpline 0800 567 567

Police

Flying squad 10111 (from a landline) 112 (from a cellphone)

Rondebosch Police Station 021 685 7345

Mowbray Police Station 021 680 9580

Woodstock Police Station 021 442 3117/21

• Read about campus safety.

3. UCT Shuttle delays due to SONA

Please note that due to the State of Nation Address (SONA), UCT Shuttle users can expect heavy delays on Thursday, 10 February from 17:45 to 19:30. The Sandown and Claremont buses will be rerouted during this time to accommodate the road closures. The Hiddingh Campus buses will definitely be delayed and where possible commuters are advised to take earlier buses.

4. Participate in Census 2022

The UCT community is encouraged to participate in the Census 2022. Statistics South Africa is currently conducting the nationwide population and housing census, which started on 3 February and will conclude on 28 February. This is South Africa’s fourth population count post-democracy and the country’s first digital census.

• Register for remote data collection.
• Read about the Census 2022.

5. Campus Life 2022 online publication

While you may be continuing to find your way around campus as a first-time entering student, you can be assured that we will walk beside you every step of the way. Your time at university can be the best years of your life, and you will sometimes need a little help. So, we’ve made a wide range of services available to you. Whether it’s mental health or physical wellness, study tips or the inside scoop on your new neighbourhood, you can find out all you need to know in Campus Life 2022 – our annual online publication for new students.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements