The new Statute (click here) of Stellenbosch University (SU) has taken effect, having been published in the Government Gazette on 16 August 2019. It was adopted by the SU Council in November 2018 and signed by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology on 10 July 2019. Interim measures to give effect to the new Statute are in the planning phase. The University has 24 months to align the composition of our statutory bodies with the new Statute.

An extensive consultative process to revise the previous Statute (of 2016) started in August 2017. The new document was drafted by a task team led by Registrar Dr Ronel Retief, in conjunction with experts. Consultations included a range of workshops, a month-long process of public participation, as well as inputs by stakeholders such as faculty boards, the Students' Representative Council (SRC) and the executive of the Convocation.

The Statute is SU's constitution. It provides the institutional framework for the effective governance and administration of the University. All rules, policies or other instruments issued by University bodies and functionaries are subject to the Statute.

Among other things, it covers the composition and functioning of Council, Senate, faculty boards, the SRC, the Institutional Forum and the Convocation. It also spells out the duties and responsibilities of office-bearers such as the Chancellor, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, vice-rectors and deputy vice-chancellors, Chief Operating Officer, Registrar and deans. It deals with donors, employees and students. Moreover, it covers the qualifications and honorary degrees conferred and awarded by the University.

The Statute, in turn, is subject to the Constitution of South Africa, 1996, and must also be consistent with the Higher Education Act, 1997. It commits the University to open, transparent, responsible and accountable governance and administration and contains various checks and balances to ensure this. In addition, the document aims to bind together the University community in the pursuit of academic and administrative excellence that benefits society as a whole.

The drafting of Institutional Rules that will support the provisions in the Statute – as required by the Higher Education Act – is set to start soon. The new Statute is available on the official webpage for SU policies and regulations, www.sun.ac.za/english/policy.