University of Cape Town (UCT) vice-chancellor Dr Max Price warned students on Monday to stick to the institutions’ code of conduct or face disciplinary action.
No action would be taken against students engaged in lawful protest action‚ he said in a letter on Monday as classes resumed but some lectures were disrupted by students and entrances blockaded.
“However‚ I wish no student to be ignorant about what constitutes unlawful protest behaviour. Disruption of classes‚ blocking of entrances or exits‚ interfering with traffic flow‚ putting up barricades that prevent people from conducting normal business or attending classes‚ and any form of intimidation – whether physical or verbal – is unlawful‚” said Price.
“We are in a situation where the academic year is in jeopardy. The university has to remain open and the academic programme needs to continue in order for us to catch up work we have lost and to ensure that students complete their year successfully.”
He said the university remained open to ongoing engagement with students about the issues raised during the protests.
The university‚ he said‚ would prosecute via its Student Disciplinary Tribunal‚ breaches of the code of conduct. The relevant sections of the code included:
- A student must not make unauthorised entry into or use of University facilities.
- A student must not act or threaten to act in a manner which interferes with the work or study of any member of staff or student in general and specifically in relation to the person’s race‚ gender‚ beliefs or sexual orientation.
- A student must not abuse or otherwise interfere with any member of the University community in any manner which contributes to the creation of an intimidating‚ hostile or demeaning environment for staff and students in general and specifically in relation to the person’s race‚ gender‚ beliefs or sexual orientation.
- A student must not obstruct‚ disrupt or interfere with the teaching‚ research‚ administrative‚ custodial or other functions of the University.
- A student must not obstruct the movement of any member of the University community.
Students were cautioned that they did not have the right to disrupt lectures and could face trespassing charges if they refused to leave the premises. Criminal behaviour would be reported to the police‚ he said. — TMG Digital
UCT students warned not to cross the line
University of Cape Town (UCT) vice-chancellor Dr Max Price warned students on Monday to stick to the institutions’ code of conduct or face disciplinary action.
No action would be taken against students engaged in lawful protest action‚ he said in a letter on Monday as classes resumed but some lectures were disrupted by students and entrances blockaded.
“However‚ I wish no student to be ignorant about what constitutes unlawful protest behaviour. Disruption of classes‚ blocking of entrances or exits‚ interfering with traffic flow‚ putting up barricades that prevent people from conducting normal business or attending classes‚ and any form of intimidation – whether physical or verbal – is unlawful‚” said Price.
“We are in a situation where the academic year is in jeopardy. The university has to remain open and the academic programme needs to continue in order for us to catch up work we have lost and to ensure that students complete their year successfully.”
He said the university remained open to ongoing engagement with students about the issues raised during the protests.
The university‚ he said‚ would prosecute via its Student Disciplinary Tribunal‚ breaches of the code of conduct. The relevant sections of the code included:
- A student must not make unauthorised entry into or use of University facilities.
- A student must not act or threaten to act in a manner which interferes with the work or study of any member of staff or student in general and specifically in relation to the person’s race‚ gender‚ beliefs or sexual orientation.
- A student must not abuse or otherwise interfere with any member of the University community in any manner which contributes to the creation of an intimidating‚ hostile or demeaning environment for staff and students in general and specifically in relation to the person’s race‚ gender‚ beliefs or sexual orientation.
- A student must not obstruct‚ disrupt or interfere with the teaching‚ research‚ administrative‚ custodial or other functions of the University.
- A student must not obstruct the movement of any member of the University community.
Students were cautioned that they did not have the right to disrupt lectures and could face trespassing charges if they refused to leave the premises. Criminal behaviour would be reported to the police‚ he said. — TMG Digital
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