In a bid to promote transparency and responsible student behaviour on campus, the Rhodes University Dean
of Students office has released a detailed report on “critical incidents” for the first term.
In a bid to promote transparency and responsible student behaviour on campus, the Rhodes University Dean
of Students office has released a detailed report on “critical incidents” for the first term.
The incidents, recorded between 1 February and 31 March 2010, include reports of rape, harassment, assault and a serious car accident.
Student Services Officer, Larissa Klazinga explained that the Dean of Students’ policy is to be transparent. “We believe that students have a right to know what is happening at their university and how the institution is addressing issues as they arise,” she said.
Klazinga also felt that awareness and vigilance among students would go a long way in preventing and reducing serious occurrences on campus.
“We believe that if students are aware of crime, violence etc., then they are able to respond better and get the help they need,” she said.
The report released to Grocott’s Mail gave details as to whether the incidences occurred off-campus or on and how the matters are being handled.
| Incident | Off or on-campus | Party contacted or notifi ed |
Actions taken |
| 1 serious accident (motor vehicle) |
off-campus | Campus Protection Unit | Matters being handled by SAPS |
| 2 cases of assault | Both off-campus | Dean of students | Handed to university prosecutor for investigation, cases underway. |
| 3 cases of attempted suicide |
Not specifi ed | Counselling Centre and Dean of Students |
Students hospitalised and receiving counselling. |
| 2 cases of domestic violence |
On-campus | One handled by Dean of Students emergency crisis line; other by warden of the resident in which the assault took place. |
One case handed to university prosecutor; other resulted in the banning of attacker (not a Rhodes student) from campus. |
| 1 case of drug-induced psychosis |
Not specifi ed | Counselling Centre | Student hospitalised |
| 5 cases of harassment | Occurred in various forms (e-mail, facebook, face-toface) off- and on-campus |
Dean of Students | Cases in various stages of investigations and are ongoing |
| 3 reports of rape | All off-campus | Reported to SAPS | Handed for SAPS for investigation |
The Rhodes’ Communication and Marketing division, speaking of the report said: “Being transparent and actively reporting the incidences does lead to students coming forward sooner and more often than would otherwise be the case. In turn the university has committed to report the incidences to students and staff every term.”
