POLITICS

PurpleFaceGate: Why SU acted as it did - Wim de Villiers

Rector says it is standard practice to suspend those pending an investigation

From the Rector’s Office

8 February 2016

Dear Colleague

Over the weekend, Stellenbosch University was in the news after photographs were posted on social media leading to allegations of ‘clearly blackfacing’ at a social event in Heemstede residence. More photographs followed, and the outcry has since changed to ‘clearly not blackfacing’ (see below).

This highlights the complexity of these issues and how diverse and fickle views on social media can be.

In such matters we are guided by our Disciplinary Code for Students. The University cannot act on comments or photographs in the media, on social media, or individual opinions. If there are allegations of misconduct, or if the name of the University or the maintenance of order and discipline is prejudiced, the University has a responsibility to investigate. We have also given the undertaking that the units involved in the investigation would be representative in terms of race and gender.

There has to be an investigation so that all the facts can be presented and properly considered. That was set in motion by suspending the two students in question from their residence pending the investigation. This is standard practice for investigations, not only at SU. It is important to note that an investigation does not imply a guilty verdict.

Both students were supported by the University’s crisis services on Friday, and a general invitation has been extended to the whole campus community to seek counselling if necessary.

Friday evening, the matter was discussed at the residence by students, student leaders, the house committee and residents of Heemstede, staff of our Student Affairs division and members of Management – Prof Nico Koopman, Acting Vice-Rector: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel; and Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel, Vice-Rector: Learning and Teaching. Subsequently, facilitated discussions were organised in our residences across campus. These were robust and frank, but constructive.

Stellenbosch University is not a secluded enclave isolated from the rest of South Africa. We form part of the rest of society and the higher education sector. We take cognisance of national debates on racism and the lived experiences of students. In light of ‘black face’ incidents at SU and other universities in 2014, and the negative impact that had, we do take any such allegations seriously.

I am very proud of our students that have engaged on the issue of transformation in such a positive manner. That is how we develop as thought leaders. I would like to appeal to everyone to give the investigation the opportunity to run its course in fairness to all involved without further speculation, threats or victimisation.

Kind regards

Prof Wim De Villiers
Rector and Vice-Chancellor

Issued by Stellenbosch University. 8 January 2016