Frontline services provided to Stellenbosch University (SU) students and the public will soon be temporarily relocated as year-long renovations are set to commence at its administrative buildings.
This is according to Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson.
Renovations at administrative buildings, including Admin A, Admin B, and Admin C, are due to start in May, and will last until May 2026, said Viljoen.
Student and public-facing services will be located in the Inorganic Chemistry building during the construction period, he said.
“Non-client facing services and assistance [will] be provided online,” he said.
The renovations of Admin A at Stellenbosch University (SU) will transform the building, while ensuring full compliance with legal and statutory requirements, said Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson. PHOTO: Nadia Swart
Part of ongoing campus renewal programme
The renovation project is part of the ongoing campus renewal programme, and is set to address necessary maintenance, future spatial needs, and modernisation, said Viljoen.
Key compliance requirements, such as fire safety, accessibility, and building regulations, will be prioritised with the renovations of Admin B and C, according to Viljoen.
Renovations at Stellenbosch Unviversity’s (SU) administrative buildings will result in several office spaces being relocated and reconfigured to improve departmental efficiency, according to Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson. PHOTO: Nadia Swart
During renovations, a contemporary open atrium with a coffee shop will be added to one of the buildings to maximise natural light and create “a welcoming space”, said Viljoen.
“[The SRC] believes these renovations are necessary, particularly given the visible structural wear – such as cracks in Admin A – and the fact that the building has not been renovated in a very long time,” said Mzwakhe Bolotina, communications officer for the Student Representative Council (SRC).
Concerns around accessibility
However, the SRC would strongly advocate for key departments, such as the accommodation and student fees offices, to remain physically accessible, as these departments are unable to operate remotely, said Bolotina.
“One of the major concerns is the potential relocation of staff, particularly the possibility of them working from home,” said Bolotina. This was especially true when it came to Admin A, he said, as this building currently houses units that are “essential to the functioning of the university”.
Renovations at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) administrative buildings may bring about brief confusion, but students trust that SU will guide them, according to Penny Campbell, vice-chairperson of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences student committee. PHOTO: Nadia Swart
Some students have raised concerns that the renovations could lead to confusion, particularly for first-years. This is according to Penny Campbell, vice-chairperson of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences student committee (BASC).
“However, I am sure the university will give us instructions once these plans have fallen into place,” said Campbell.
Meanwhile, Viljoen said that he could not share the budgeted cost for the renovations, as “the costs form a part of the ongoing campus renewal programme that is taking place on an ongoing basis”.
The SRC is also yet to be informed about the source of the funding for this project, but they intend to seek clarity on this matter, said Bolotina.
A programme manager for the renovations was contacted for comment but could not speak to the press.