Like That Statue at Jammie Stairs: Some Student Perceptions and Experiences of Institutional Culture

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Author:

Steyn, Melissa, van Zyl, Mikki

Subject:

Social Sciences

Institution Name:

University of Capetown

Collection:

University of Capetown

Grade Level:

Post-secondary

Abstract:

In this project, students spoke out about their experiences at UCT. In particular, they describe how they perceived the university and the other students, and how their experiences impacted their academic performance and general wellbeing while attending UCT. In the study, the authors consulted a variety of policy documents and publicity materials from UCT. The authors then held 19 workshops with focus groups of students. Five were mixed, while fourteen were purposive in that certain designated students such as black students foreign students women, etc., were targeted. The initiator of the study conducted ten of the focus groups, but for the others peer facilitators were used. From the findings, it is clear that in students experiences 'whiteness' still largely characterises the institutional culture. Many black students, and some white students, described incidents of overt racism against black academic staff and students. This report documents suggestions made by students and also puts forward some recommendations. It is hoped that these will be received in the spirit in which the research was undertaken, namely to be helpful to UCT as it continues along the road of transformation. This report provides a forum in which diverse students voices are collated and reflected on behalf of the students and committed educators and for the continuance of outstanding education at UCT.

Languages:

English

Material Type:

Readings

Media Format:

Text/HTML

Conditions of Use:

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5

Copyright Holder:

University of Cape Town