#WitsPoll: 77 percent say yes, classes should resume

The majority of Wits students want to return to class on Monday.

Wits senior communications officer, Shirona Patel revealed the interim results of the #WitsPoll, which asked students and staff whether the academic programme should resume on 3 October, providing security was adequate.

A total of 21 730 people responded to the poll.

The vast majority (16 739 – 77 percent) said they want classes to resume, while only 4 991 respondents (23 percent) said no.

"Who wants class to resume?" I think everyone does. A more interesting poll would be, "Who can afford to pay fees?" #WitsPoll

— Azania Ensundu (@MasinyeniSonke) September 29, 2016

“Wits University conducted a poll on 29 September to canvass the views of students and staff. They were asked if they wanted the academic programme to proceed on Monday, 3 October 2016, whether there was appropriate security in place,” Patel explained.

“The interim results of the poll indicate that the significant majority of students want the academic programme to resume on Monday. One of the leading firms in the country, Sizwe Ntsaluba Gobodo audited the poll and provided the interim results. The university is still waiting for the auditors to verify the staff poll. These results will be made available as they come through.”

As a final year student i choose to be selfless the coming generation doesn't deserve to suffer like us .. Do the right thing #WitsPoll

— Cinga (@Ukhonaye_) September 29, 2016

She added that the final report is expected at a later stage today (30 September), which will include the staff poll.

Furthermore, the results as well as further feedback will inform management’s decision on whether classes would resume on Monday. “Management will also reach out to the student leadership, unions and other stakeholders to engage on a way forward. A decision as to whether the university will re-open on Monday will be communicated to students and staff via official university communication channels this weekend.”

Asawu reacts

The Academic Staff Association of Wits University (Asawu) has since issued a statement saying it believes the poll is not seen as legitimate by protesting student, who have no incentive to adhere to its outcome. Furthermore, according to the Asawu, “Acting on this poll is likely to divide the community and could potentially incite violence rather than unite the community around common ground: that university education is underfunded.”

Asawu believes that the resumption of classes on Monday is in the best interest of students and staff, but:

• The focus on the underlying problem, of inadequate university funding, must be maintained and a clear, inclusive plan to resolve it must be agreed to;
• No police or private security should be on campus;
• Commitment needs to be made that no classes will be disrupted;
• No violent, aggressive, intimidating behaviour, or destruction of property should be perpetuated by any party;
• Any colleague who believes his or her safety and/or health is unreasonably endangered by returning to work, [should] be permitted not to return to work until the situation is deemed stable.

“In the event of the university re-opening, Asawu will monitor the situation and will be available to provide advice should any academic staff member be concerned about safety,” the statement concluded.