Poll on returning to class a victory for Wits vice-chancellor

© Andriy Popov – 123RF.com

Habib instigated the poll to establish whether or not students supported the call for the campus to be shut down in support of the demand that there be no fee increase for the next academic year.

The government announced that universities could impose an increase of up to 8%, but said that students coming from households earning R600,000 a year or less would qualify for financial support.

The poll asked students whether they wanted the academic programme to proceed on Monday if there was appropriate security in place.

A Wits media release said that 21,730 students had voted, with 77% (16,739) voting "yes" and 4,991 voting "no".

The university said on its website it had sent out 37,000 SMSes.

"The university is still waiting for the auditors to verify the staff poll. These results will be made available as they come through," the statement said.

"A decision as to whether the University will reopen on Monday will be communicated to students and staff via official university communication channels this weekend."

Source: BDpro