A decision on how the redistribution of residence placements for female students will be implemented, has not yet been determined. This was according to Martin Viljoen, the media manager at Stellenbosch University (SU).
This comes after claims in recent media reports that certain SU male residences would become co-ed as a means to accommodate more female students within university residences.
“In total, the university has approximately 5 500 beds available in undergraduate residences,” according to Martin Viljoen, media manager at Stellenbosch University. The first-year application pool for 2023 constituted approximately 9 000 females and 5 300 males, stated Viljoen. PHOTO: Emma Solomon
‘Female candidates at a disadvantage’
SU will increase the residence placements for female students to 60% as of 2024, Viljoen told MatieMedia. Female students currently make up the majority of SU’s student cohort. Over two decades “the percentage of female students at SU slowly increased to where it currently stands at around 58%”, Viljoen explained.
This follows a recent rectorate decision to implement the so-called 60%/40% policy, where 60% of residence placements will be made available to female students, and 40% to male students.
In practice, currently “a female applicant considered for residence placement in the academic category, needs to achieve around 85% for placement, whereas her male counterpart will be placed with a mark of around 80%”, stated Viljoen.
At present “the placement ratio at residences on the Stellenbosch campus for first-year students was 49% for males and 51% for females”, noted Viljoen.
For the 2023 academic year, the first-year application pool for undergraduate residences constituted “37% were males and 63% females”, explained Viljoen.
“The university’s plan of making it 60/40, what it really is doing is excluding people from having the choice of going to a male residence,” stated a student from one of the select male residences believed to be affected by a recent decision to open up more residential spaces to female students. PHOTO: Emma Solomon
Uncertainty over affected residences
Meanwhile, communication was sent out to select male residences, informing them of the possibility that they may be transitioning to co-ed residences in 2024 to meet the 60/40 residence placement requirements, on 7 March, said a student from an affected residence, who requested anonymity.
Huis Marais, Huis Visser, Helshoogte and Dagbreek, are believed to be the targeted residences, according to the student and media reports over the weekend.
This had not been confirmed by SU.
“How the redistribution will be done has not yet been determined,” commented Viljoen.
“As the consultative process is still underway, no decision has been made on how this phased-in 60/40 placement will be achieved, nor have any residences been identified for reconfiguration,” stated Viljoen.
“The Student Community Advisory Committee, chaired by Prof Deresh Ramjugermath, deputy vice-chancellor: learning and teaching, appointed a working group to be spearheaded by Dr Choice Makhetha, senior director: student affairs, to formulate -proposals for the implementation of the Rectorate decision of 60/40 residence placement in 2024,” said Martin Viljoen, media manager at Stellenbosch University in email communication. PHOTO: Emma Solomon
SRC welcomes 60/40 decision
SU’s Student Representative Council (SRC) has “been advocating for more female spaces [in residences]”, and to consider co-ed as an option to implement this, stated William Sezoe, vice-chairperson of the SRC.
“We see this [60/40 decision] as a welcoming decision to support female students who are left without accommodation each year due to capacity and other factors,” added Sezoe.
*This article was updated on 17 March 2023 to reflect the latest information.