I don't know how many university students there are around these parts, but I thought that a general update thread for the university shutdowns could be useful!

USEFUL LINKS:

National university status updates

Thanks FatalGlory, really useful link.

From a post-grad perspective, Wits still has most of their buildings and labs open but not the libraries. Getting into and out of buildings can be a pain but you can ask to have your student card registered on the system for access.

Protesters haven't been at the gates for the last week but you can find limited parking at the Wits Language School/iThemba labs entrance off Empire and then just walk up to campus.

Aside from some roaming groups or individuals glaring at me, I've not had any direct confrontations. They seem to be focus on facing off against the private security guys and the police.

I've also been to UJ twice and while they occasionally block off the main gate, the back entrance off Ditton/Ripley remains open. The protesters there have also been way calmer and less aggressive than the Wits crowd so far.

Lurch said ...

Thanks FatalGlory, really useful link.

From a post-grad perspective, Wits still has most of their buildings and labs open but not the libraries. Getting into and out of buildings can be a pain but you can ask to have your student card registered on the system for access.

Protesters haven't been at the gates for the last week but you can find limited parking at the Wits Language School/iThemba labs entrance off Empire and then just walk up to campus.

Aside from some roaming groups or individuals glaring at me, I've not had any direct confrontations. They seem to be focus on facing off against the private security guys and the police.

I've also been to UJ twice and while they occasionally block off the main gate, the back entrance off Ditton/Ripley remains open. The protesters there have also been way calmer and less aggressive than the Wits crowd so far.

This is interesting. I would have thought that most of the labs would have been closed. I haven't been to the Wits campus for about three weeks or so. Do you think that most research is still continuing as per usual? Has your post-graduate program been interrupted?

just make it like this, the higher your marks, the less you pay... would that even work?

@FatalGlory - not too many issues as a post-grad. There were a few days of uncertainty in which I rescheduled lab sessions (Geosciences or the MMU) but that was mostly due to protests at the gates. As it's all research-based and I don't have lectures it's been fine so far.

My sister is doing an MSc by coursework however, and they've unfortunately had issues with organizing venues and some lecturers staying away.

SupaPhly said ...

just make it like this, the higher your marks, the less you pay... would that even work?

This would end very very very badly.

They brought in the K-9 Unit to main...
This is going to go soooo well

I legitimately don't understand how anyone didn't see, at the very least, a repeat of last Tuesday happening today. Opening was insane.

FatalGlory said ...

I legitimately don't understand how anyone didn't see, at the very least, a repeat of last Tuesday happening today. Opening was insane.

I can only guess they're taking the approach of giving them enough rope to hang themselves.

At this point, especially after the violence today in Braamfontein, these students are going quickly run out of both allies and excuses. What'll be interesting to see is whether the police go ahead with their plan of isolating, arresting and charging individuals rather than mass arrests that amount to nothing.

Lurch said ...

FatalGlory said ...

I legitimately don't understand how anyone didn't see, at the very least, a repeat of last Tuesday happening today. Opening was insane.

I can only guess they're taking the approach of giving them enough rope to hang themselves.

At this point, especially after the violence today in Braamfontein, these students are going quickly run out of both allies and excuses. What'll be interesting to see is whether the police go ahead with their plan of isolating, arresting and charging individuals rather than mass arrests that amount to nothing.

I think that it's a terrible idea to have the university stay open this week. Violent outbursts between all three parties -- the police, private security, and students -- have been steadily escalating in intensity for the past three weeks. Keeping Wits open will not defuse the situation. Keeping Wits puts the lives of students, police, security, staff, and now, it would seem, the general public at risk. I think that there has to be direct and immediate engagement from government, the SRC, and Senate as soon as possible. Playing this egotistical game won't help anyone.

I think the uni is trying everything they can to stay open... so they don't get sued. When they ARE forced to close (and lose the year) they have to be able to say 'well we did everything we could. We TRIED to stay open!"

They are going to lose a massive amount of staff and prospective students.
The protestors simply WONT back down

How is it possible for this bollocks to continue for so long? Ineffective policing that is how. Dyed water cannons and cameras - identify the troublemakers and then arrest them at 3AM when they are in their PJs and not in a mob. Two year public disorder prison sentences for the worst 100 or so offenders and watch it dissipate. This is obviously only for the violent protesters.

Rule of Law people.

This is why this BS doesn't go on for weeks in most countries.

Students now have shields... looks suspiciously like the shields the police use. This is becoming more and more like an FPS... pick up enemy weapons

"No worries!"
Classes continue as normal

Tebulot said ...

"No worries!"
Classes continue as normal

Showing how lazy the cops are nowadays !disappoint not even trying to deal with the students anymore !disappoint

We need a remake/sequel

Vice Cerberus said ...

Tebulot said ...

"No worries!"
Classes continue as normal

Showing how lazy the cops are nowadays !disappoint not even trying to deal with the students anymore !disappoint

Some of them are on their fourth reload.
Rubber bullets and stun grenades flying everywhere.
Watercannon filled with blue dye as well
Students retaliating with BIG rocks.
Cleaning staff now stripping naked and mooning police for some reason
It's all out war at the moment

This is gana go the same way as Marikana. & afterwards it will be, but how did this happen????

Tebulot said ...

Vice Cerberus said ...

Tebulot said ...

"No worries!"
Classes continue as normal

Showing how lazy the cops are nowadays !disappoint not even trying to deal with the students anymore !disappoint

Some of them are on their fourth reload.
Rubber bullets and stun grenades flying everywhere.
Watercannon filled with blue dye as well
Students retaliating with BIG rocks.
Cleaning staff now stripping naked and mooning police for some reason
It's all out war at the moment

Stripping !sick !sick I am officially launching a petition for the cops to get free barf bag

Don't send in the canine unit poor pups will be scarred for life

I don't expect today to be "business as usual". Students are angry. Police are crazy. The university is in denial. It's a bad situation.