Stellenbosch University (SU) has determined a reduced amount of residence fees to be paid by the month of May, to alleviate the financial pressures imposed upon students and their financial sponsors, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
SU reduced the second instalment of residence fees to R15 040, according to official communication sent out to all students, on 19 May.
Under normal circumstances, students had to pay three quarters of the total residence fee by the end of May. Students are now able to pay the reduced amount R15 040, which is approximately one quarter of the total amount of residences’ annual living space fee, according to Lewis Mboko, chairperson of SU’s Student Representative Council (SRC).
“The reduced second instalment was set to provide financial relief during the lockdown period, and is, therefore, a deviation from the 75% rule usually applied at this point in the year,” said Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson.
This reduction on the May fee instalment gives appropriate relief to the sponsors, said Mboko.
“I think the R15 040 is a respectful amount, considering we stayed in res for two months,” said Hugo Kirchner, primarius of Helshoogte Men’s Residence.
A double room at Helshoogte Men’s Residence costs approximately R50 000 per year, this is excluding food expenses, according to Hugo Kirchner, Helshoogte primarius. PHOTO: Supplied/Carl Thomas
According to Kirchner, he had received a few queries from concerned students who are under financial strain, regarding what options exist when it comes to cancelling their residence placement.
“There are a lot of uncertainties at this moment but relieving some of the financial [burdens] that sponsors might have, is a good example, and something that all the institutions should look into, whilst at the same time making sure that all financial obligations are met,” Mboko said.
SU has also set out several additional payment relief measures, outlined in the communication. For example, no levies will be charged to any SU student for parking, societies, sports clubs, and residence or PSO activities.
Stellenbosch University (SU) also outlined additional relief measures for the SU community to follow, in the university’s official communication. INFOGRAPHIC: Fern Bamber
“[The additional measures] might be small things in people’s eyes, but a lot of people pay those levies, and I think at this stage every bit helps,” said Kirchner.
As it stands, the third payment of residence fees, which is due at the end of September, has not yet been determined and depends on developments on a national level, according to SU’s communication.
“It is unfortunately not possible to give an indication of this at this stage,” said Viljoen.
Read more from Fern Bamber.