UPDATE: Habib may give his bonus to students
BRAAMFONTEIN – Wits University Vice-Chancellor offers his bonus to deserving students.
Wits University Vice Chancellor and Principal Professor Adam Habib said that, given the context, he would give any performance bonus he received for this year, to deserving students. This was revealed in a media release from the university on 19 October, while students at the university were protesting a 10.5 per cent fees increase.
The Wits Council later said that the fees increase is postponed until negotiations were completed. Yet, on 19 October, Wits once again was a hub of activity as students continued their protest.
The university had sent letters and emails to students that the council would address the students on 18 October. Students broke doors and windows to gain access to Senate House which had been locked by the university. Campus control security wilted as thousands of protesters rushed passed them singing and marching onward. Two hours after the deadline the council sent their response via email.
The media release stated, “The Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Adam Habib, has committed that, given the context, any performance bonus that is due to him for 2015 will go toward access for deserving students.” It also included other options the university would investigate, in order to alleviate the financial strain on the university, such as, ‘Discounts for NSFAS and financially stressed students, and the sourcing of additional funding from external sources’ and, ‘Waiving the upfront fee for not just NSFAS students, that is already a practice at Wits, but for all qualifying students’.”
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