Following the disruption of the Huis Marais pee incident and a separate rape incident this past week, Stellenbosch University announced that they had postponed their exam period.
On Saturday, Stellenbosch University released a statement saying that their exams would be postponed following a request to do so by student leadership structures.
The decision was supported by SU’s faculties.
SU’s deputy vice-Chancellor of learning and teaching, Professor Deresh Ramjugernath, said the decision was made in the best interests of students, after consultation and careful deliberation.
“The examination rescheduling was made in the context of the trauma and disruption following the Huis Marais incident and the separate rape incident,” he said.
He added: “The university condemns both incidents, along with all crimes and infringements on human rights and dignity.”
“The University also sympathised with those for whom the decision would cause disruption.”
Examinations that were scheduled to start on Monday, May 23 will now start on Monday, May 30. Assessment deadlines are also to be extended by one week.
Ramjugernath said the student leadership understood that not all students had been affected to the same extent, but that all students had been impacted by the incidents.
“They also understood that obviously, a request of this nature would cause disruption, because plans have already been made in terms of travel and so forth.”
The deputy vice-chancellor said the institution approached the decision by accepting, “that we understand that there's been significant trauma and discomfort".
"Our students are in a challenging mental state, in an emotional state where it's very difficult for them to write the exams come Monday.”