Stellenbosch University (SU) has agreed to a panel’s recommendation to close Wilgenhof Residence.
Also read: The Street Store: Celebrating 10 years with clothes for 500 homeless people
This decision follows allegations of initiation-like activities at the residence.
In January, it was reported that ‘disturbing items’ were discovered in two rooms at Wilgenhof during an audit of the residence’s spaces and amenities.
In a statement issued by SU at that time, the university said the disturbing items were removed and stored securely. The two rooms were repainted and repurposed for their original use.
Consequently, a panel consisting of the university’s Deputy Registrar of Governance, Ethics and Compliance, an experienced independent advocate from the Cape Bar, and a former university executive in higher education reviewed the items and provided advice on the next steps.
In a statement on Wednesday, SU announced that its Rectorate had unanimously accepted the main recommendation to close Wilgenhof Residence.
‘The Rector will now recommend to Council that Wilgenhof Residence should be closed and that alternative uses be considered for the buildings. Council will consider the Rector’s recommendations at its meeting on June 24,’ SU stated.
SU Rector Professor Wim de Villiers reassured staff, students and parents of the university’s ongoing commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive institution.
‘Given the body of evidence presented by our expert panel, we have accepted its main recommendation that closure of the Wilgenhof residence is the appropriate action going forward. This recommendation, on the recommendation of the Panel, if accepted by Council, will result in the closure of Wilgenhof at the end of the 2024 academic year.’
‘Alternative uses of the space will be discussed with a view to be effected during 2025. The Rectorate will revert in due course on the other recommendations in the report, amongst them the recommendations that could be embedded in the Committee for the Institutional Response to the Commission’s Recommendations (CIRCoRe) process,’ de Villiers said.
Also read:
Picture: @itsTyronePrins / X