prof. Wim de Villiers, Rector of Stellenbosch University. (Photo: US)
The convocation of Stellenbosch University (SU) called on the university’s vice-chancellor and rector, Wim de Villiers, to resign before the next board meeting.
On Friday morning, the convocation accepted a motion of no confidence in De Villiers following allegations of nepotism.
An appeal was made to De Villiers and the registrar to resign before the next council meeting, which takes place on Monday.
In the meantime, the SU said it took note of the letter and the opinion of members of the executive committee of the convocation, but once again emphasized that the matter appears on the agenda of the upcoming council meeting.
“The analysis of the rector’s discretionary placements will take place under the firm guidance of the acting chairman and executive committee of the board and will be thoroughly discussed at the board meeting so that the board can agree on a designated path forward,” said Martin Viljoen, spokesperson said from the university.
“SU follows world-class management practices for universities that include a clearly defined admission policy and residence placement policy – available on the SU website – and SU’s council, which is the appropriate forum for this discussion, is dealing with the issue.
“The SU further points out that according to the statute of the university, the purpose of the convocation, and therefore also the executive committee of the convocation which in this case expressed their opinion, is to ‘promote the welfare of the university by to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship between the university and the members of the convocation, and may advise the council, and the senate when appropriate, in this regard’.”
It did last weekend came to light that De Villiers placed a second family member with Maties. A storm has already raged over De Villiers’ placement of a family member to study medicine. The post was already withdrawn months ago after another student who achieved better marks, but did not get admission, asked questions about it.
