​Following recent discussions between the Stellenbosch University (SU) management, student leadership and supporting Huis Marais (HM) alumni, an agreement was reached that the residence will remain home to only male students in 2021. The parties engaged in discussions with the aim to promote a better understanding between the respective positions and to reach common ground.

This decision recalls an earlier announcement that Huis Marais will not receive any new-comers next year and that a new co-ed student community would be created in a section of the building. The new agreement determines that HM will remain a men's residence; that it will receive approximately 90 first-year and 60 new senior students in 2021; and that a process will be implemented to achieve a unified and integrated student community. The HM community has expressed their commitment to an ethos which is compatible with SU's values and agreed to implement concrete measures, with the assistance of SU, in order to improve as a community. To achieve this aim the agreement makes provision for, inter alia, a house committee (HK) of 14 members consisting of the existing elected Huis Marais HK members, supplemented by additional members that will be appointed from the ranks of the current HM community and senior newcomers. Provision is also made for the drafting of a new or amended Constitution and a Code of Conduct in a collaborative effort between HM, the Centre for Student Communities and a committee of HM alumni. The Centre for Student Communities will provide certain clear guidelines and will assist in the appointment of a facilitator to provide support. SU and HM will be working together to secure a thriving future for the residence, based on our institutional values.