3 607 students able to register at Wits despite debt

Wits University told students on 19 January that they can register despite owing the university money. Wits Senior Executive spokesperson Kemantha Govender confirmed that an email was sent out by the university, mentioning an agreement that would help and enable 3 607 Wits students to come back for 2016.

The email from the Wits Senior Executive Team stated that in the interests of facilitating further access to the University, and after negotiations with the Student Representative Council (SRC), the university has agreed to implement the measures that will enable more returning students to register in 2016.

The university has agreed that all students who owe the university between R1 and R1 000 will be allowed to register in 2016. The outstanding debt for 2015 will be rolled over to 2016. The university estimates that this concession will benefit 3 607 students this year.

The Wits senior executive team has also greed that all students who can show that they are fully funded for 2016 will be allowed to register. They will have to sign an acknowledgement of debt for fees owed in 2015.

The university will work with the SRC to raise funds to clear the debt of approximately 1 284 students who owe the university between R1 001 and R5 000. If this effort is successful, these students will then be allowed to register in 2016 and lastly, the SRC and the university will approach the provincial government to cover the debt of about 1 418 students who owe the university between R5 001 and R20 000. If these efforts are successful, these students will be allowed to register for the 2016 academic year.

Wits University said that they hope that these arrangements will go a long way toward enabling the majority of their students to register for 2016 without difficulties.

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