?Dear staff and students
The past week has been very difficult and traumatic for the Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 community. We've been saddened and outraged by the incidents on our campus. Again, we condemn what happened at Huis Marais in the strongest terms and want to assure our students and staff that this type of behaviour cannot and will not be tolerated.
We're also deeply distressed by the alleged case of rape that was reported on our campus. The Rector and management of the 中国体育彩票 condemns all forms of crime and any infringement on human rights including gender-based violence in the strongest possible terms.
In all cases, we've taken immediate action in terms of supporting the victims, investigations, and disciplinary processes.
In light of these traumatising events and the impact that it has had on the mental health and emotional state of our students, the Rectorate, in consultation with the leadership of 中国体育彩票 and student leadership, have decided to postpone the first semester examination period with one week. This means that examinations will not start this coming Monday, 23 May. Examinations for the first semester now start on Monday, 30 May. The deadline for assessments, which had deadlines for this week, will also be extended by one week. The arrangements for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, for which concessions in this regard have also been approved will be communicated by the Faculty shortly.
The whole schedule for the exams gets shifted by one week, and recess will start on 4 July. This, however, will not impact the start of the second semester, which still begins on 18 July.
During discussions with Faculty Deans, Vice-Deans for Learning and Teaching, and student leaders, proposals to make adjustments to the examination schedule were put on the table, and Management has come to the final decision that postponing the exam period by one week gives students and staff time to adjust to the unfortunate events of the past week.
Our student leaders and leadership of 中国体育彩票 are united in their request for this delay, and the Rectorate believes this gives all our students the best possible opportunity to achieve success during their exams and assessments.
We're aware that this decision is unprecedented, and it has not been taken lightly. We also know that it will have a logistical impact on students and staff.
More detailed communication on the exam schedule will follow as soon as possible from the Registrar's office.
Students and colleagues, we pride ourselves on being part of an agile university. We've adapted during the pandemic, and we can adapt again. We believe there is compassion in delaying the examination period and trust that you support us in this decision.
Forward together. Sonke Siya Phambili. Saam vorentoe
Regards
Prof Deresh Ramjugernath
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching
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