University Management has declined a request from the Student Representative Council (SRC) to hold a mass student meeting.

Year-end examinations have already commenced in certain faculties, such as Health Sciences. Students have earned the right to sit for examinations and to make academic progress. We are particularly cognisant of the situation of final-year students whose futures will be placed at risk if they cannot complete this year.

The University is entering the final phases of preparing the budget for 2018 and is considering various scenarios for 2018. No one is certain about exactly what will happen in terms of funding. We agree that this is not an ideal situation, and we understand students' anxiety around the issue.

Neither the University Council nor the Executive has any control over national policy on funding for universities. The fees issue is a national problem which requires a national policy decision.

Should the SRC wish to canvass students at the University, they are able to do so through an online or electronic opinion poll. This may allow more students to give their views compared to a mass meeting, which can only accommodate a few thousand students.