Rhodes University student leaders have proposed a sliding-scale debt repayment system and a higher residence debt threshold. They want changes to the university’s 2027 fees protocol.
The proposals follow protests in Makhanda on Tuesday, 29 September. Students blocked university entrances over concerns about the new financial requirements.
Student leaders say the protocol could affect students who struggle to pay their fees. They are concerned about registration, university accommodation and further studies at other institutions.
Students propose sliding-scale payments
One of the main issues is the amount self-funded students must pay before they can register.
Under the 2027 Protocol on the Payment of Student Fees, self-funded undergraduate students with outstanding balances must pay at least 50% of their debt.
They must also sign an Acknowledgement of Debt and Agreement to Pay by Instalments.
Students must then pay at least R3,000 a month towards the remaining debt.
SRC academic representative Lungelo Mabika said students were not rejecting the university’s efforts to recover outstanding fees.
Instead, he said they were proposing another approach.
Student leaders spent almost seven hours discussing possible changes to the protocol on Saturday.
“Management proposed to have self-funded students pay 50% of their outstanding fees,” Mabika said.
He said students proposed a sliding-scale system in response.
Under the proposal, the amount paid upfront would depend on the student’s total outstanding debt.
Mabika said the system could take into account the different levels of debt among students.
“We’re not rejecting the university’s move to financial sustainability,” he said.
“We’re trying to find a balance between how the university can receive its money while protecting vulnerable students.”
Students challenge R25,000 residence threshold
Residence access is another major issue in the dispute.
Under the protocol, students whose debt remains above R25,000 after the required initial payment may not be admitted to university residence.
The rule does not apply to students with confirmed NSFAS funding.
Student leaders want the threshold increased to R75,000.
Mabika said the current limit could prevent students from returning to residence after building up debt during the academic year.
SRC president Thalethu Magidela also raised concerns about accommodation costs.
“Residence itself costs around R90,000,” Magidela said.
She said students could naturally build up debt while living in university accommodation.
Magidela also raised concerns about private accommodation in Makhanda.
She said students who lose access to university residence could struggle to find affordable alternatives.
SRC member Keketso Dibakwane said students had raised similar concerns during previous negotiations.
“Enough is enough; every year we negotiate,” Dibakwane said.
She said the SRC had negotiated a reduction from 50% to 20% at the beginning of the year.
Dibakwane said students wanted the university to consider their financial circumstances when recovering outstanding debt.
Students raise concerns about transcripts
The student memorandum also raises concerns about academic transcripts.
Student leaders object to provisions they say could affect students with outstanding fees who want to continue their studies at other universities.
Mabika said students wanted Rhodes University to allow transcripts to be sent to other institutions even when fees remained unpaid.
He said financial difficulties should not prevent students from continuing their education.
University staff member sympathises with students
The financial pressure on students also drew sympathy from some university workers.
Rhodes University housekeeper Pamella Lomba said she understood the concerns raised by students and parents.
She acknowledged the disruption caused by the protest but said she also understood why students were demonstrating.
“We are in pain to see the commotion today,” Lomba said.
She said parents were facing financial difficulties.
Lomba said she hoped students who had already started their studies would be able to complete them without financial barriers.
University says SRC missed meeting
Rhodes University said its leadership met with students at 7.30pm on Monday, 28 September.
The meeting focused on concerns about the 2027 fees protocol.
The discussions continued into the early hours of Tuesday.
During the meeting, the SRC presented Vice-Chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela with its memorandum of demands.
The university said management later met on Tuesday to consider the memorandum.
It then invited the SRC to a meeting at 6pm to respond to the demands and discuss the way forward.
According to the university, the SRC did not attend the meeting.
Rhodes University has defended the 2027 fees protocol.
The university said Council approved the protocol as part of efforts to address outstanding student debt.
It also said the measures are aimed at protecting the university’s long-term financial sustainability.
The university said it remained committed to engaging with the SRC.
It also appealed to student leaders to allow staff members to access campus.
Academic activities continued online on Wednesday.
Staff members whose duties required them to be on campus were instructed to report for work, subject to access to the campus.
The dispute now centres on how Rhodes University can recover outstanding fees without making it harder for financially struggling students to register, access accommodation or continue their studies.
“We need a balanced protocol that speaks to both the students and the university,” Magidela said.
