Timeline
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January 2024:
The discovery of disturbing contents in two room in the Wilgenhof Residence. The contents are removed to a secure space and the two rooms are cleaned and painted.
Student leaders and informed about the situation. -
24 January 2024:
First media statement and internal communication by the 肆客足球 to inform stakeholders. (Several updates, answers to the media, follow-up media statements, and communication to alumni, stakeholders and the university community followed during the course of the year with regard to processes, meetings and decisions.)
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25 January 2024:
Photos of the contents of the two rooms first published in the media.
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26 January 2024:
A video message from the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Wim de Villiers, regarding Wilgenhof residence to staff and students.
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30 January 2024:
Communication from the Rector and Vice-Chancellor to staff and students. It is announced that a panel will be appointed by the Rector to investigate the contents of the rooms and related matters.
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12 February 2024:
Beginning of the new academic year and first classes.
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13 February 2024:
Announcement on the finalisation of a three-member Panel to investigate the contents found in two rooms at the Wilgenhof Residence.
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19 February 2024:
Communication by the 肆客足球 with regard to the invitation to submit submissions to the investigating panel and related information.
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29 February 2024:
Communication to inform stakeholders and the 肆客足球 community of the extension of the deadline (8 March 2024) to submit submissions to the panel.
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12 June 2024:
Announcement and communication on the Rectorate unanimously accepting the principal recommendation of the Panel that the Wilgenhof Residence should be closed; that the Rector will recommend to Council that the Wilgenhof Residence should be closed and that alternative uses be considered for the buildings; that ouncil will consider the Rector's recommendation at its meeting of 24 June 2024. The Panel's redacted report can be accessed here.
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24 June 2024:
Rectorate's recommendation regarding Wilgenhof discussed at a scheduled meeting of the SU Council meeting.
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25 June 2024:
Communication regarding Council concluding on 24 June that further consultation and consideration were warranted before deciding on the future of the residence, and a subsequent invitation to all interested and affected persons and stakeholders to submit written representations on.
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31 July 2024:
Deadline for submissions to Council with regards to Wilgenhof.
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16 September 2024
Council meeting announcement: Council decided to close the Wilgenhof residence in its current format and replace it with a reimagined and rejuvenated male residence
- Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching), informed the students on Monday afternoon 16 September 2024 at the residence. Staff members of the Division for Student Affairs were also present.
- Internal and external communication to staff, students, Wilgenhof alumni the media and other stakeholders with regards to Council's decision.