The headline and tone of the front page story “CPUT boss slammed for walkout” (September 17) sketches an untruthful version of events, which led to the stalling of the convocation elections a month ago.
Great pains were made to explain Cape Peninsula University of Technology vice-chancellor Dr Chris Nhlapo’s eventual decision to leave the annual general meeting to the reporter, and this is echoed by the large majority of people who were in attendance on that day. However, it is the account of an anonymous source that takes precedent in this story.
The truth is the following: the meeting started and ended nearly four hours late (the VC stayed for this entire period), few agenda topics were handled due to deliberate attempts from some attendees to derail proceedings and, above all, the disruptive and unruly nature of the meeting was escalating to a point where safety was becoming a concern.
The election of the convocation representatives is a hotly-contested process since these individuals eventually gain a seat to the university council, the most powerful institutional oversight body. It goes without saying that some will have unscrupulous agendas, hence the heated nature of AGMs. Convocation meetings are hosted at great expense to the institution; advertisements need to be placed in national newspapers; catering and security organised and in some cases flights are arranged. A much easier solution would be to host elections via an online voting system, a measure which the institution may have to embark on.
The vice-chancellor’s placement as president of convocation will largely be a ceremonial position until the elections are held. It is a stretch to imagine Dr Nhlapo would harbour ambitions to be the president of convocation. It is in CPUT’s best interest that a strong and ethically superior convocation blossom. All graduates are urged to take a hands-on interest to ensure a repeat of this reckless AGM does not occur.
* Dr Garth Van Gensen, Director of Marketing and Communication, CPUT.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Newspapers