Priority bulletin: Staff

Dear Colleagues

Many of you may have read Sunday's article in Rapport - SU gets new money boss (US krynuwegeldbaas). The report was malicious and contains many factual errors. Council and management decisions are incorrectly reported and clouded in suspicion, and the character of individuals is negatively affected by connecting unrelated matters and making sarcastic innuendo.

Adjustments to StellenboschUniversity's management structure stems from a changing higher education environment in South Africa, but also internationally. The proposed management changes are based on similar structures at other universities, including the University of Cape Town.

With my re-appointment in 2012, I suggested to Council that I devote my second term to the academic and structural repositioning of the University for the 21st century. Worldwide, universities are in transformation mode and the roles of rectors/vice-chancellors should be adapted accordingly. Although the content and titles may differ considerably from institution to institution, it has become a global trend for rectors/vice-chancellors to delegate operational responsibilities to a senior deputy vice-chancellor, provost or senior vice-rector to effectively manage the complexities of the contemporary university environment.

Council approved SU's Institutional Intent and Strategy 2013-2018 in April 2013 as well as the appointment of a chief operating officer to increase my availability for strategic matters. The appointment of Prof Leopoldt van Huyssteen in the post of Provost and Chief Operating Officer was approved at Council's June meeting.

I requested Council to approve the changes in the management structure so that the institution can best achieve its strategic objectives. I am not relinquishing any of my responsibilities, as reported in Rapport. I remain the chief executive officer accountable to Council for all facets of the University. I also remain the chairperson of Senate, the University's highest academic body. Prof Van Huyssteen, the vice-rectors and the deans of the ten faculties will continue to report to me. It is also not correct that Prof Van Huyssteen will report directly to Council, as stated in Rapport.

In the position of Provost and Chief Operating Officer, I have delegated the full operational function to Prof Van Huyssteen. His existing responsibilities are therefore expanded. It will give me the opportunity to focus on the University's strategic objectives, as set out in the Institutional Intent and Strategy 2013-2018, external relations and major institutional campaigns, including fundraising. The position of Provost or Chief operating Officer will have a fixed term until 30 December 2016. After that the management structure will not include such a position unless by Council decision at that time.

Prof Van Huyssteenand I will now discuss exactly what functions will be delegated to him. He will be responsible for the implementation of the institutional plan and the various environmental plans, while I will focus on ensuring that the Institutional Intent and Strategy is executed.

This brings me to another important issue which is presented in a malicious manner in the article. It seems Rapportis being influenced by people who are trying to thwart transformation atStellenboschUniversity. It is particularly unfortunate that such a public platform is used to cast suspicion on Prof Julian Smith, Vice-Rector (Community Interaction and Personnel) after he has served almost three successful terms. His proposed sabbatical is not related to the management changes or events surrounding SUSPI. Incidentally, SUSPI is a company with its own board of directors. Council was already informed on his request for a sabbaticalby the end of 2012, and it is incorrect to allege that his ‘contract will not be renewed’.

Because of the SU age limit for staff another term of office for Professor Smith was never even considered, because he will reach the retirement age of 65 before a fourth term would have expired. Taking a sabbatical is a common practice in academic institutions. This gives staff the opportunity to focus on research in their field of expertise, which in turn contributes to the research excellence of our university. After his sabbatical Prof Smith would have taken up his duties as vice-rector until his term expires at the end of February 2015, but he informed me this morning that he has decided to cancel his sabbatical. He will then, as determined by hisconditions of employment, return to an academic position in the Drama Department in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Prof Smith reported on his achievements extensively at the council meeting of 24 June 2013. Read the report here.

The tone of the article and many of the comments on Rapport's electronics platform are disturbing, and therefore we as management understand the concerns among staff who are now voicing their opinions on electronic platforms. It has unfortunately been the case that since my appointment as Rector, SU has been dogged by similar reports. The continued criticism of SU arising from these sources may just be an indication that we have embarked on a journey that will be beneficial to national interests.

Like you, I feel personally offended that so much damage is being inflicted on the integrity of the nation's leading research-productive university. I would like to appeal to our staff to not allow such malicious reports and rumours to detract us from achieving the University's stated strategic objectives and commitment to be inclusive, innovative, and future focused.

Kind regards

Prof H RusselBotman

Rector and Vice-Chancellor