The beginning of 2019 has not been a smooth one for a number of South African universities. Many academically eligible students faced (and continue to face) financial exclusion \u2014 an age-old mechanism employed by universities and perpetuated by the lack of access to funding and a glitchy NSFAS. Institutions such as Wits, UKZN and DUT were able to mobilise students to express their rejection of this exclusion and to lobby university managements, to heed the calls of the students. The air of defiance has now spread to Stellenbosch University, where students have expressed a vehement rejection of the R9 evening shuttle fee that students who live off campus will have to incur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why is the implementation of this fee problematic?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reasons given for the implantation of this fee are flawed. Not only have they been rejected by the students, but their validity has been questioned and critiqued. Platforms upon which this has taken place include a discussion hosted by students on the evening of Sunday 24 February as well as during the day on Monday 25 February. The main reason given by SU management for the implementation of the R9 fee is that it will deter students from misusing the evening shuttles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This reason has been challenged on various levels. Students questioned whether SU had proof of the misuse of shuttles. Moreover, the day shuttle \u2014 operating between main campus and Coetzenberg, where many students park their cars \u2014 would be more prone to misuse than the evening shuttle as it is used without having to book in advance. However, there has been no talk of charging students for using the day shuttle. The charge is only imposed on students using the evening shuttles; students who do not have cars to park at Coetzenberg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The underlying problem with this, which were raised at the discussion, is SU\u2019s compliance in exclusion and unequal treatment of students. Given that the evening shuttle operates within a 5km radius \u2014 a radius which encompasses the lower income areas in Stellenbosch \u2014 it has been highlighted that the many people using the evening shuttle service are already financially excluded and thus cannot afford to pay the R9, per single trip, for the shuttle. It is evident that SU management is aware of this as they have made provision for a transport grant available to students. To access this grant, students are required to prove their neediness. In other words, students ought to perform their pain and poverty once more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if the bureaucracy of the grant system were to be successful, it has two inherent flaws: firstly, concretely, it does not account for the \u201cmissing middle\u201d student demographic other than on a \u201ccase-by-case basis\u201d, but secondly and fundamentally, it is a symbol \u2014 or symptom \u2014 of a specific managerial perspective that a university should be run as a business. This \u201cbusiness\u201d will incentivise its \u201ccustomers\u2019\u201d behaviour by manipulating the prices of its services. Not only is this problematic because education should not be commodified, but it is also unfair within the Neoliberal framework: the university has an effective monopoly on its \u201cmarket sector\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOurs is clear, we don’t have money. We reject the grant because it is going to subject us to poverty. [The grant encourages a system where] those who don’t have enough funds [have to] beg and be beggars.\u201d<\/p>\u2014 Jeff, prim of students who live off campus<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, it was also highlighted at the discussion that the implementation of this fee would be inherently exclusive. Currently, the existing mechanisms of exclusion include the limited number of operating shuttles, subjecting students to either extended waiting periods or to find alternative transport arrangements. In addition to this, the booking system means that students who fail to book are excluded and thus have to make alternative transport arrangements. The limitations to the accessibility of the shuttles will be further entrenched by the R9 fee. Students expressed how the implementation of this fee seems more like an attempt from the university to decrease the demand for the evening shuttle service, while failing to increase the supply and frequency of the shuttles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the students demanding?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need commitment; we are not here to play.\u201d<\/p>\u2014 Zizo Vokwana, chair of SASCO<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
A memorandum of demands will be handed to SU management at Admin B after a peaceful protest. This protest will commence outside the Van Der Sterr building on Wednesday, 27 February at 13:00. The lists of demands include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The scrapping of the R9 fee<\/li>
- Increased frequency of the evening shuttles<\/li>
- Free and reliable transport for University staff members who work until late<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
There was a strong commitment from the students to take further action, should SU management fail to respond to the list of demands and go ahead with implementing the fee on Friday 1 March. Furthermore, there has been a request to rally and mobilise as many people as possible. Even though the shuttles are not used by every student, this is an issue that affects (directly and indirectly) all students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStill [we are] relentless in the continuation of the fight for that distant glitter of freedom.\u201d
<\/p>\u2014 Shaeera Kalla\ufeff<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nUpdate on 2019-02-28<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Update by Paul Joubert<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a new communique from University management, sent via email to all students, it is implied that students might receive exemption automatically. This, however, is not entirely clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 students who are financially needy get a concession and thus do not need to pay for this service. This concession applies to students receiving NSFAS support and students in the \u2018missing middle\u2019 who receive SU financial aid (i.e. students who are assessed to have a joint annual household income of R600 000 or below). Students who need to use the SU Evening Shuttle but do not fall in these categories can make a special application for a concession and will also be considered for support.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Only later on, this is clarified:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are registered as NSFAS or SU Bursary recipient (joint household of R600 000 or less) you will be able to book the trip without payment.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
and<\/p>\n\n\n\n