UCT extends option to defer exams to next year

The option to defer November exams to next year has been re-opened to University of Cape Town students, registrar Hugh Amoore said on Sunday.

He said students would now have until November 27 to choose this option. Deferment of exams to January next year would be granted automatically.

“All students eligible for this choice will receive full details within the next 24 hours.”

Exams would proceed as scheduled next week for those who did not want to defer.

According to a letter by Vice-Chancellor Max Price on Sunday, around 17 000 students had elected to write exams now rather than early next year.

“The University has a clear duty to do everything possible to give them this opportunity and cannot reasonably be expected to tolerate unlawful violations of rights on its campus,” Price said.

“Students and workers who attempt to disrupt exams will be identified. Appropriate, fair and speedy disciplinary processes will follow, which may lead to expulsion of students and dismissal of workers.”

Activities at universities around the country have been disrupted following protests over tuition fees and the outsourcing of workers.

Amoore said that any student whose exam was disrupted in November would have the right to defer it to January. They would then also have the right to take the rest of their exams next year.

“Students who take some of their exams in the November block, and who without having any of their exams disrupted feel that at any point they are not able to complete their full suite of November exams given the circumstances that prevail, should visit the self service site to defer their remaining exams to January 2016. Results for exams taken will stand.”

Source News 24