Students are encouraged to use the various internal processes and systems to report issues, complaints, or grievances. The Academic Affairs Council (AAC), a body of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), has student representatives in each faculty. In spaces where you engage with others socially, you can reach out to student leaders in your cluster, residence, or commuter student community for support and guidance on other support on campus. Students can also approach the Office of the Dean of Students at [email protected].

Incidents of unfair discrimination, victimisation, sexual harassment, and other forms of harassment can be confidentially reported to the Equality Unit (EqU) through its online reporting platform or at [email protected]. You can also contact the Unit at +27 21 808 3136, or visit their office at Simon Nkoli House, 39 Victoria Street in Stellenbosch. 

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET HARRASSED

If you experience unfair discrimination or harassment, or are victimised, the EqU will be there to support you. Empathy, procedural fairness, and confidentiality are the cornerstones of the Unit’s work. Once you have reported an incident, the following will happen: 

1. A case officer will be alerted and assigned to your complaint.
2. Your case officer will contact you for an in-person or online meeting.
3. The case officer will assist you with completing an online intake form if your complaint was lodged via e-mail.
4. A preliminary assessment is conducted at your first meeting.
5. Interviews and information are then gathered from respondents/witnesses.
6. Information gathered is referred to advisors who will provide recommendations to the head of the EqU.
7. Your case officer will provide you with feedback on the recommendations and a way forward.

The Office of the Ombud is an independent, neutral, and confidential space where students, staff and parents can lodge complaints and problems when existing University structures are unable to resolve matters satisfactorily or where those structures appear to be inadequate. 

You can connect with the Ombud, Advocate Rina Meyer, via e-mail at [email protected] or call 082 807 2994. You can also contact Grace Bruintjies, the Administrative Officer of the Office at [email protected]. Visit the Office of the Ombud at https://www.su.ac.za/en/office-ombud, where you will also find the Ombud intake form to submit a complaint or concern for consideration. 

SU subscribes to an independent ethics hotline where students can report any irregularities anonymously. This service is managed independently by Deloitte. You can contact them at 0800 204 549 or at [email protected], via fax at 0800 007 788 or visit their website at https://www.tip-offs.com/.