Page 32 - Transformation Report 2023

The establishment of systems that underpin efficient • Stellenbosch University Counselling Alternative approaches are continually explored, includ-
service delivery is fundamental to support the core • Tshwane University of Technology ing, for example, Masincokole Talks, where counsellors
functions of the University. Phase 1 is the development • University of Cape Town Budgetary limitations prohibit the expansion of posi- walk the campuses and engage students on topics that
of an integrated online Student Housing System to en- • University of Pretoria tions; the number of wellness counsellors employed by are less ‘jargony’ and more ‘relatable’, e.g., instead of
hance elements of student housing provision, including • University of Witwatersrand Emthonjeni Student Wellness (ESW) has remained the talking about transitioning into university, we phrase the
accreditation, accommodation profile, assessment. Fur- same, despite growing demand for support. Through the conversation as: “You are now here, how are you?”
ther improvements to the Student Housing system for Campus Safety and Security UCDG, the centre has a Social Worker position, funded
on-campus and off-campus residences provides an on- for three years, which manages the ‘Safe Haven’ and as- Figure 7 below provides a comparative overview of the
line platform where applicants can browse and search The University reassessed its safety measures and infra- sists with the identification of criteria for various food se- number of students who received psychosocial support
available accommodation before applying. This en- structure to ensure a safe, enabling environment due to curity projects by working closely with Peer Helpers (stu- via ESW for depression and suicidality, amongst others,
hanced tool will be rolled out in 2024. Key departments the tragic death of two students on our campuses. Sev- dents training in lay counselling and facilitation). during 2022 and 2023.
have been co-opted to provide assurance on accredited eral safety interventions have been introduced at Sanlam
off-campus residences, including the ISSO team, which Student Village on South Campus, and the University de-
will provide expertise to ensure quality infrastructure that ployed the services of an external security service provid-
aligns with the University’s student-centric position. er to monitor the streets of Summerstrand, where many
of our students live in private accommodation.
Student Nutrition
Student Campus Health Services
Student hunger is a pervasive challenge across the sec-
tor. The drive to support indigent students signifies a The provision of student health services (SHS) supports
transformative response to human needs that forms part the adoption of healthy lifestyles in holistic student devel-
of cultivating Mandela University value systems for social opment. SHS maintained its strategic partnerships with
justice and in service to humanity. Higher Health and the DoH in Nelson Mandela Bay Met-
ro, supporting the provision of primary health care, hospi-
Indigency levels among students have increased due to tal services, and health campaigns conducted throughout
higher numbers of quintile 1-3 learners comprising the the year.
majority of our first-time entering UG enrolments. Efforts
to facilitate enrolment of these students was deliberate In partnership with the Eastern Cape Liquor Board, in-
and intentional, in line with the institution’s commitment terventions were implemented to advocate for respon-
to addressing class imbalances among students and to sible drinking, with a view to eradicate behavioural and
consequently support those in need. psychosocial challenges resulting from substance abuse,
including alcohol, thereby inculcating social conduct
The nutrition project provides monthly food packs for 1 aligned with responsible citizenship.
100 students - part of the University’s drive to address
the pervasive and ongoing issue of student hunger. An
online booking for students participating in the nutrition
programme was developed and used by Student Health Figure 7: Depression and Suicidality amongst student during 2022 and 2023.
Services (SHS), in collaboration with Tiger Brands, to fa-
cilitate the distribution of 13 200 nutrition packages. Ad-
ditionally, the Office of the Dean of Students provided 5
000 packs for distribution to unfunded students. Demand
increased monthly and the SRC assisted by providing
indigent students with a meal per day during the exam
period.

Student Transport

A benchmarking exercise linked to Catering and Trans-
portation Services was undertaken towards the end of
June. The objective of the benchmarking was to seek
best practices in the areas of Student Shuttle Manage-
ment and Fleet Management, as well as Residence Ca-
tering and Events Management Activities. The following
Universities, in alphabetical order, formed part of the
benchmarking project:

Table 17: Top 10 presenting issues amongst students.

25 TRANSFORMATION REPORT TRANSFORMATION REPORT 26