The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) announced that it will hold a poll to “gauge the thoughts of staff and students on the resumption of the academic programme on Monday‚ if the appropriate security measures are in place”. “If the majority of students and staff support the reopening on Monday‚ the university will call upon government and the police to meet their obligations to protect the university’s property and to safeguard the lives of all students and staff‚” said spokesperson Shirona Patel. This came after it had “received hundreds of emails calling for the academic programme to resume”. The emails mostly express dismay and desperation about the threat of the academic year being wasted; many call for a referendum to measure support for the protests‚ while others take the university management to task for “capitulating” to a “minority”.Below is a selection of the mails Wits said it had received: FOURTH-YEAR ACCOUNTING STUDENT “At this point‚ even though I feel ashamed to even request this of you‚ could you please ask for military intervention from the government to make sure that the academic program is re-instated as soon as possible. I am begging. I have to pass this year and start my training next year towards qualifying as a CA(SA) to make a better life for my family. As a young African female‚ I'm sure you understand that my family has sacrificed a lot in order for me to be at Wits for these past 4 years. I cannot bear to let them down now.”4th YEAR STUDENT “I am one of the few students that cannot afford to lose this time due to the protests. I have worked 4 years to be where I am and I want to finish my degree this year. I want to do my honours but I fear this will hinder my chances. This is the last chance I have to do the best I can. I am willing to go to lectures or write tests and exams in company parking lots or board rooms if need be. I don't know if this has been considered but I am sure many companies wouldn't mind helping out for those who want to carry on.”PART-TIME STUDENT “I am a student‚ in the WitsPlus department‚ and would like to enquire about a petition for students who would like to return to classes. I am heartbroken by the destruction and violence on campus‚ and as a Witsie‚ who is proud to be part of such a prestigious university‚ I would like to encourage the university to spread a petition. I guarantee that the numbers would surprise you.”STUDENT “Well done to capitulating to the mob…and so the loud minority are set to get their way. A 1000 thugs…close down a campus of 30 000+…Where is law and order @WitsUniversity?”FIRST YEAR STUDENT “I am one of the students who would really want the academic programme to continue as soon as possible. It is very sad to see our very own students going beyond a protest into an extremely violent environment. I hope that the University makes plans to ensure that the academic programme finishes on time and examinations run normally as well as re-assuring all the Wits students that the University and its workers are to be highly respected for what they hold as educators.”PARENT “My son is currently doing his third year and daughter a postgraduate degree at Wits University and I am deeply concerned that the continued student protests and threat of the university not reopening anytime soon‚ will negatively impact on them passing this academic year. I strongly believe that everybody has a right to express their views‚ however it should never be to the detriment of one else. Many students only have one opportunity to study and will never get this opportunity again.“To date students and parents with opposing views have been rather silent and I feel that if we collectively stand up and say enough is enough‚ perhaps we could put an end to this nonsense. Education is the only way in which we can emancipate ourselves from the cycle of poverty and inequities of the past.”PARENT “I understand the reasons for the protest‚ but the manner of protest is unacceptable‚ and the Wits Executive must take equal responsibility due to their lack of appropriate response.“For the violent mob breaking the law‚ every effort should be made to have them identified‚ arrested immediately‚ prosecuted‚ and receive a criminal record (which will follow them their whole life‚ affect their visits to foreign countries‚ deny them the potential of living in foreign lands)‚ and possibly a jail term. This will discourage students from following the same violent action this time next year. They must learn that there are consequences to their actions! At the moment they can do as they please.”“The University must be reopened immediately and the enforcement of the rule of law strictly applied. Advise protestors that if they break the law then they will be arrested‚ that Wits will lay charges‚ and that they may land up with criminal records‚ jail time‚ and how this will follow them throughout their life and to all corners of the world. The rule of law must be applied and be seen to be applied.”PARENT “I am writing in my capacity as a parent of two Wits students. I find the closure of the University extremely disappointing and disturbing. We are in the same position as last year where a violent minority are terrorising everyone else. I am very surprised that the University was not better prepared this year and that it is so simple for a few intimidating thugs to bring the whole University to a halt.“Did we not anticipate another fees must fall protest? By capitulating so readily‚ we are promoting the culture of ‘break and burn’. These students are learning to behave like spoilt children who throw tantrums to control everyone else. What happened to a mature University culture of tolerance and mutual respect?”PARENT/ACADEMIC “What about exams? Our students need to write. How many of our 35 000 students want to finish? How can we suspend everything? How many students actually support this indefinite closure? Why is the University not canvassing students’ opinions through a survey? This news of indefinite closure is very perturbing and I write as a staff member and a concerned parent.”PARENT “As a parent (and an ex-Witsie) I am deeply concerned for the ‘Silent majority’. Most of the registered students are at university with the goal of obtaining a degree. They are keen to attend class‚ and would like to write tests and exams on the specified dates. THEY HAVE RIGHTS TOO - the right to attend class without fear of victimisation‚ the right to write tests and the right to support their own cause - which is to graduate… Is there a plan in place for the exam sessions‚ as we would like to know when exams are going to be written?”PARENT “It is most important that you determine what percentage of your students are involved in the protest or alternatively are unhappy about the fees issue and consequently determine which percentage of students are happy and eager to proceed with their studies as is and is in fact fed-up with the protests of the minority. You must have all students’ cell numbers.“Take a referendum with 2 of 3 simple questions to determine this figure. If it is indeed only a small percentage then take severe action against them for the good of the majority of students and the good name of Wits. If it is not a mere minority but indeed a large component of the students that are unhappy then you have a problem which you will have to manage accordingly.” ..