Academic staff are also permitted to work from home if they prefer to do so.
SOL PLAATJE University will continue with its online academic programme under the adjusted alert Level 4 of the lockdown restrictions that are expected to continue until July 26.
The university’s vice-chancellor and principal, Professor Andrew Crouch, said on Thursday that academic staff would also be permitted to work from home if they preferred to do so.
“Staff over the age of 60 years or with comorbidities will work from home,” said Crouch. “Practical or laboratory work is not permitted. Schools must make provision for students to catch up on this work once we can do so safely.”
He advised that physical study groups were not permitted and that any group studies could only take place via MS Teams.
“The use of the university library for study purposes will be allowed, requests must be made in writing to the SPU Covid-19 compliance officer: [email protected]a.”
Crouch said further that campus students would have to remain in their allocated residences and would not be allowed to return home.
“No new cohorts of students will return to campus during alert Level 4. The university curfew will remain in effect from 8pm until 7am until July 28. No visitors will be allowed into any residence or on campus and students will not be allowed to visit each other in their rooms.”
He added that mealtimes at the Moroka Hall of residence and Ra-Thaga Hall of residence would continue to be staggered.
“The booking of meals via the self-service meal management system is compulsory. Those who have not booked will not be permitted access to the dining halls.”
Crouch also stated that the smoking of hookah pipes was not permitted on university premises.
“Gatherings of any size are not allowed. Any student who contravenes the Covid-19 health and safety protocols and regulations will be subject to disciplinary action and will have to return home immediately.”
He said all face-to-face meetings on campus were prohibited.
“Other staff can continue to rotate between working on campus and working remotely as they have done to date, but this will be managed by their managers in line with the operational requirements of their units.
“When staff work remotely, they are expected to be available and contactable during office hours.”
