CAPE TOWn - The UCT Senate has voted in support of the proposed mandatory vaccination for staff and students with 83% in favour of the plan.
UCT proposed that every student, as a condition of registration next year, be required to provide proof of having been vaccinated.
All staff members would also need to provide such evidence.
On Wednesday, voting via an electronic ballot was conducted with 183 votes in support of the proposal, 32 were against it, and five abstentions.
The decision to vote had been taken on September 17 during a senate meeting, where discussions were also held online with students and staff members on the issue.
UCT spokesperson Elijah Moholola said the Senate, having considered the complex matter fully and taken into consideration a range of views at the meeting, proceeded to conduct voting.
“The next steps include an engagement process across campus with all the relevant stakeholders, whose voices are key in this process. UCT emphasises that no decision or position has been taken yet by the university on mandatory vaccination on campus. Any final decision on a matter of policy for the university will have to be a decision of the university council.”
Moholola said if taken forward, any decision on the proposal will ultimately be made by the council as the university’s highest decision-making body.
“Council will consider the proposal thoroughly before coming to any decision. UCT will provide further updates on this matter in due course. The university continues to encourage students and staff to get vaccinated.”
Cape Times