A number of Stellenbosch University (SU) students have raised concerns about the university’s decision to resume society membership and Private Student Organisation (PSO) fees for the remainder of 2020.
This was according to Yanga Keva, Student Representative Council member (SRC) and chairperson of the Societies Council for 2019/20.
Students were recharged for such fees from 1 September, said Keva.
Stellenbosch University has taken a decision to recharge students’ levies for the remainder of the year. GRAPHIC: Octavia Avesca Spandiel
SU’s Institutional Committee for Business Continuity (ICBC) made the decision to approve the resumption of these fees, as the changes in the risk adjustment levels means more activities have resumed and others will resume shortly, Pieter Kloppers, director of the Centre for Student Communities (CSC) told MatieMedia.
“The ICBC has now given approval for levy charges to be added to student accounts in September as approved by the societies, sport clubs, residences and PSO wards,” said Kloppers.
This comes after certain fees and levies were waived due to the imposed nationwide lockdown regulations, according to a statement released in May by prof Wim de Villiers, SU vice-chancellor and rector. According to the May statement, levies would be determined for parking and society or residence activities according to actual usage when the university had more clarity about the resumption of activities.
Keva believes that students were upset about the recharging of fees because many felt that they did not use any of the facilities whilst at home amid the nationwide lockdown.
The resumption of levies for all students also comes after only a third of students have been invited back to campus.
According to Keva, the communication about this decision made by SU’s ICBC was communicated poorly to students and society structures.
“At the time the ICBC took this decision…none of the structures that were affected by the decision were actually consulted when the decision was taken,” said Keva.
Keva also explained that students are encouraged to read the terms and conditions of the society’s they belong to at SU. When a student joins a society they are asked to sign a consent form to agree to membership fees, said Keva.
“The society’s membership fee is non-refundable, the membership fee is part of the criteria for affiliation,” said Keva.
Cryshe Wilson, a first-year Aurora PSO member, is not happy about the PSO fee recharging as “student life is difficult enough”.
“[The university] could have made a better plan,” said Wilson.